lucylinus

Are siblings automatically guaranteed a place at a siblings boarding school (assuming no financial aid necessary)?

I mean I know they need to take SSAT and do interview/tour. But I was just wondering if all that was just a formality.

Thanks!

GMTplus7

I have read on some threads that some schools will give courtesy phone calls to the parents of siblings prior to the 10-March decision date, to inform the parents that the sibling has been waitlisted (i.e. school's weasel way to gently reject the sibling).

Lack of a sibling call

NEWYORKBEANTOWN

I cannot speak to BS, but sibs are definitely not guaranteed at top day schools.

SevenDad

The short answer (based on anecdotal evidence shared here and in discussions with AOs): No.

But of course, the long answer is "it depends". But at the more selective schools, it's not a guarantee of any sort.

ops

Legacy by no means guarantees automatic acceptance. It's a hook, it will warrant a double look during the decision process but no promises. I've met plenty of parents and alumni of children where legacy did not take precedent in admissions. Rejections of this sort happen every year. Yes, the schools do like to accommodate families but they are building a class and the prospective students must be able to live up to the standards and academics of the school. Even if you pledge a million dollars, having a child struggle for four years is no pleasurable experience for the student or the school.

InternationalDad

At DS school about 15% of current students are enrolled siblings.

redbluegoldgreen

Our second child did get accepted and chose to go to same school as child #1. Around December we got a canned letter from said school stating that the acceptance rates for sibs was around the same as for the general pool and to be aware that if sib got rejected or WL, that they were "in the majority," i.e. around 80 - 85% of all applicants would be rejected.

We found out later that DD was accepted because of her gymnastics background and diving talent in addition to straight A's and 95th percentile on Math SSAT and national awards and other things etc. I have also heard plenty of stories from my son's friends of sibs who were turned down at their sister/brother's elite CHASED schools.

GMTplus7

lol, "CHASED"

redbluegoldgreen

CHASED, HADES, GLADCHEMMS or the like

girlgeekmom

...or simply ACRONYM schools ;-)

2kidsnoanswers

I use 'acronym schools', but can't help smiling over CHASED. Very clever.

girlgeekmom

So true... but now I can't get Eartha Kitt's version of "I wanna be Evil" out of my head (..."I'm tired of being pure, and not CHASED...")

girlgeekmom

Back to the original question, some schools do seem big on legacies. I remember sitting in the Hotchkiss waiting area, reading lots of yearbooks. Every one had a "Siblings" or "Legacies" section (I don't remember the exact heading, but I do remember that I was struck by it). I was left with the impression that it definitely is a benefit to be a sib or legacy at THAT particularly CHASED school. Perhaps other schools have similar bents but simply don't "publicize" in the same way.

classicalmama

My sense is that if the older child is still at the school, that it is a hook of sorts, but not a guarantee.

GMTplus7

@2kidsnoanwers,

"CHASED" was a facetious acronym that came up in this conversation
Ban the term HADES

"CHASM GELD" also came up an a proposed acronym, but just didn't catch on... ;-)