<p>How much of a game changer is there with a new Director of Admissions? It almost seems like a domino affect within the boarding school circuit. Does it alter the dynamics of a school, especially the smaller ones? Does it trouble those current students, or parents, who were interviewed by the departing DOA being that individual was their initial contact and the one that may very well have swayed their decision? For myself, many moons ago, when I first arrived in the Fall, the DOA was the one face providing familiarity in a new environment. I know there are changes for this Fall and definitely not implying it’s a bad thing but does it change one’s perspective?</p>
<p>Director of Admissions? Who’s that? 
We never met that person or even saw the inside of the admissions office (still haven’t) as DC interviewed off campus with a former student. I can’t imagine that once the new class arrives on campus there is any connection with the DOA or their team as they are already working on the next cycle. We’re in our second year, and I still have no sense of the admissions staff. Their job is to focus on kids-yet-to-come not those already enrolled.</p>
<p>Yes, in our experience with various schools, the DOA’s involvement pretty much ends once the student accepts the offer of admission, so it is really a non-event. Not that they don’t care about your kid or you wouldn’t get a warm welcome if you sought them out. It just seems that they get pretty quickly swept up into the new cycle of admissions, and the child gets preoccupied with fellow students, teachers, dorm life, and all that the school has to offer. I’ve seen schools swap around positions, too; the DOA doesn’t necessarily leave the boarding school if the job changes hands. So long as there are meaningful adults looking after the child (advisor, housemaster, coach, etc) that he/she feels comfortable talking with, there doesn’t seem to be an issue.</p>
<p>Our experience has been different. Maybe because at SAS, the director of admission is also a Third Form Dean. So yes, we did see DoA frosh year and continue to see her at events this year…while we don’t have much involvement with her this year, it’s nice always nice to see a familiar and friendly face in the crowd. I think things might be different at smaller schools like SAS, where the DoA might actually remember/know students by name, even after a few years.</p>
<p>For me, I would have some questions if the DoA left (as opposed to moved to another spot within school) the summer inbetween admission and matriculation. I’d wonder “Well, if this person who’s been on the front line of the school no longer believes in school, should I?”</p>
<p>In our app cycle a few years ago, the DoA of SPS moved to another position within the school over the summer…and was replaced by another SPS person. I did wonder, albeit very briefly, if that was a vote of “no confidence” on the part of the SPS leadership or sign of burnout on the part of the DoA. I’m not saying it was either, but the thoughts did enter my mind.</p>
<p>When I have worked at schools where the DOA left, it has never been for a dramatic reason at all. 1 wanted to get a masters degree, 1 moved away because her husband got a job offer overseas, 1 had a very sick mother in another state. In no case was there a loss of belief in the school. But sometimes, an individual employee outgrows a school, or the fit was never there in the first place. I would argue that in the absence of major faculty attrition, it is likely not a sign of anything dire.</p>