Questions about Recs and Parent Statement (Exeter)

2prepMom
Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:22:30 +0000

The parent statement is probably designed to weed out wacko helicopter types who admit to same. Something supportive and polite about appreciating teachers who devote their time to educating students, education as a family priority, and being comfortable partnering with educators are all good thoughts.

Suggest AVOIDING using the term gifted, highly gifted, exceptional, special, giving IQ numbers or 7th grade SAT scores etc. to show how smart your kid is. The SSAT, grades and teacher recs, as well as your child’s essay, will have done that. Besides, your amazing child will be joining other amazing children, and will not be exceptional at Exeter. Basic smarts are assumed if you’ve made it to the reading of the parent essay. It’s OK to mention your child’s passion for music, art, theatre, a sport, etc.

Also AVOID criticizing your local school, blaming teachers, ranting about crummy US education. Parent application essay is not the place.

SPS asked for our family motto. That was harder.