<p>I don’t know where Heartburner draws the line for “good school.” </p>
<p>I know a fair number of families who only applied to one or two schools. Many students are enrolled at private day schools which continue past the 8th grade. For those kids, it can be “go big or go home.” Traditionally, (a long time ago), private pre-preps ran through the 9th grade; most students would enter in 10th. Some schools have continued the 9th grade tradition. Kids in those schools can apply to one or two schools in 8th grade, knowing they can try again in 9th. </p>
<p>Many kids on this site apply to 5 or 6 schools. That’s not the norm for students who have great options at home. Also, alumni families have a different relationship to admissions departments. If there isn’t a fit, I do think they are less likely to allow their children to apply (if they think it’s not appropriate), and more likely to get clear indications of whether the school would be suitable from admissions. Or at least more likely to get a reply to a direct question.</p>
<p>I do not know how schools account for students whom would admit, but can’t offer financial aid to. Some schools call families to ask if they’d like their children to receive an admit letter (but no FA), or an outright rejection. </p>
<p>Parents who turn to CC for prep school admissions are not the norm. They are more likely not to have placement counselors, nor to have family connections to schools. </p>