<p>As we’re nearing the close of D’s soph year, we’re assessing whether or not her current school remains a good fit. First, has anyone successfully transferred this late in the admissions season? Has anyone transferred between soph and jr years? Finally, regarding fit, what’s caused D to flag appears to be linked to a lack of a diverse/sophisticated/ stimulating student body. Her current school has a large, suburban, day school population. She’s feeling unhappy emotionally/socially and it is affecting her motivation to excel academically. Recommendations please!!</p>
<p>My sense is that fit comes and goes over the course of a year or even several years (ups & downs). So I’d be looking for, and asking about, specific things she isn’t getting and whether she could get them elsewhere. Does she need better advising? Better (and more) kids interests in art? Athletics? Another possibility would be to consider the various programs for a year or semester away during the junior year. I spent my junior spring off campus and it was huge in terms of my successfully getting through. Try to find out what <em>would</em> get your daughter excited and motivated and move toward that!</p>
<p>Probably too late for many schools that should be fully enrolled by now, but you may find a hidden gem or “a road less traveled” that still have openings. Good luck!</p>
<p>Well, I am some what in those same shoes. I would say that there are many determining factors. </p>
<p>1-financial aid (some schools have given all theirs away by now, but if that isn’t something big, it’s one less thing to worry about)
2-geographic location (do you want her close to home, or awaaay?)
3-How bad is the situation? (Will you go to almost any school to get out, or do you really want THE perfect fit?)<br>
4-Do the schools you like have rolling admissions? (if so, CALL AND APPLY!!)
[Find</a> Schools - Boarding School Review](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/researchschools.php]Find”>Find Boarding Schools) - see if any of the schools have rolling admssions
or this website: [Boarding</a> School Browser - The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)](<a href=“http://www.boardingschools.com/school-browser.aspx]Boarding”>http://www.boardingschools.com/school-browser.aspx)</p>
<p>I think this is a very complicated matter that should be broken down, assessed, and acted upon quickly- in this case, time is of the essence. Have you looked at any schools?</p>
<p>Northfield Mount Hermon is rolling admissions and they are a very good school. What region do you live in?</p>
<p>Thanks for the hidden gem suggestion.</p>
<p>It is not too late if you are full pay. Three years ago we were in the same situation. I made calls to several schools in CT the first week of May, and by May 15th had two acceptances in hand. We had already taken the SSAT which helped speed things along. There are some great schools that don’t publicize they have openings - so look beyond schools with rolling admissions or on lists. The best thing to do is research where you want to go and get on the phone next week. Be prepared the process will go really quickly. For us, we made the phone calls and by the end of the week we were in the car traveling to visit schools and submitted apps soon after. Decisions came in very very quickly - some within days. You also might consider single sex schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>Chelsea could you please elaborate regarding transfer & prep schools. Did these particular prep schools exhaust their wait-list and still had spots or do these schools consider the transfer application over a wait-listed applicant? ( full pay). Thanks</p>
<p>My friend was a late applicant to Taft last year. Full pay and was accepted, and I’m sure there were plenty people on Taft waitlist then.</p>
<p>It’s not going to be easy. If the quality or the characteristics of the student body is the concern and the reason for the transferring, you need to figure out an effective way to filter the schools out there so this time she won’t have the same issue, and among the selected schools see which one still has openings.</p>
<p>I am shocked and surprised that a late applicant would supersede a wait list applicant. This obviously ( assuming both are full pay) contradicts the notion that being on the wait list meant if the school had room the offer of admission would have been made! To me I was was under the assumption that wait list meant if there is room you are then in?</p>
<p>^^Even among full pays, no 2 candidates are ever equal. If a late applicant fills a particular need–sports, drama, music, etc.–the school can & will snatch them right up before kids who were waitlisted but didn’t have the same particular draw for that community. Schools are not a transparent meritocracies.</p>
<p>Oura54, every school is made up of different departments. The orchestra needs a bassoonist, the baseball team needs a pitcher, the math team needs more mathy kids, (etc.) If a school goes to the waitlist, they’ll look to balance these needs. There may be very strong students with various skills on the list, but if the baseball team needs a pitcher, the experienced pitchers on the list would have an advantage.</p>
<p>Schools run wait lists to suit their own needs. </p>
<p>@OP, I have no idea if it’s possible–I’d defer to those who have experience. I’d question whether your daughter would find a better fit at any school which currently has openings. Most schools have day students. If your daughter had close friends among the boarders, would the percentage of day students be an issue? If she hasn’t found her niche at her current school yet, would she necessarily find her niche at a new school?</p>
<p>Right now, most schools are about to draw for next year’s rooms. That’s a very emotional time, which could make things look worse than they really are. Has her school accepted students for next year’s Junior class? Just a few kids can change the mix.</p>
<p>Have you spoken with her advisor? He or she could give you some insight into the current state of affairs at her school. If you decide she should try to transfer, you will need to speak with the school anyways, so I think it would be worthwhile to speak with her advisor at this point. </p>
<p>It can be very hard to jump into a school as a junior. Has she been chosen for any leadership roles at her current school? It sounds corny, but I think you and she should make a list of pros and cons, comparing leaving to staying put.</p>
<p>Hi,I attend a well known prep school, and I was wondering what the process for transferring would be like. Where would I start? Would I have to take the SSAT’s again? and is it already too late seeing as there is only about a month of school left? Thanks. If you’re wondering what school I go to, feel free to PM me.</p>