Hi everyone - good luck on finishing up applications, or congrats on having done so!
We received some cryptic advice from current parents at one of our tours that, once you’ve identified your top school or two, that after applications are done that “we should show them some love”.
So - anyone have any advice or thoughts on this? Helpful for the student (or parents?!) to write to their top school or two and tell them that they’d go there in a heartbeat if given the honor selected, or something along these lines? Other things that applicants should do to remain engaged and show interest (other than keeping schools updated with new sport-related updates as requested, attending relevant sporting events and connecting with coaches)?
Thanks in advance for any advice - we’re super new to this process and have no frame of reference!
I am conflicted writing this as you might be competition for my own child but I think it’s better to help each other…The admissions process is highly competitive and often shrouded in secrecy until decisions are released. This environment can discourage some applicants, but I believe that if you’re truly interested in a particular school, you should absolutely show continued interest.
Admissions committees emphasize ‘demonstrated interest.’ This means actively engaging with the school: attending webinars, participating in virtual events, checking the admissions portal regularly, and even reaching out to admissions officers with thoughtful questions.
Remember, schools want to enroll students who are genuinely excited to attend. They prioritize applicants who actively show their interest. While consistent engagement is crucial, avoid being overly persistent or annoying. A few well-crafted emails or a personalized postcard with updates can effectively demonstrate your enthusiasm. If you have a clear first-choice school, consider sending a brief, sincere letter expressing your strong interest. Hope this helps!
So I should email a school, if I really have a stong interest and think I’m a great fit?
Is this something I send to my interviewer, which I already mentioned was my first choice in my thank you email ( Andover ), or to the admissions team?
DD mailed a note to her PA interviewer telling her Andover was her first choice and she would attend if admitted (after all her interviews were completed).
DS told his interviewer (during the interview) that SG was the only school he was interested in, it was the only one to which he applied, and that he would attend if accepted. He did not mail a separate letter.
There is no way to know if those actions made a difference but both kids ended up at those schools. I personally don’t think their honestly and directness hurt their application.
It is fine to tell a school it is your first choice and that you would attend if admitted, but you can do this at only one school. Not two or three. Not if you are likely to be swayed by a scholarship at another school. If you are going to be considering financial aid offers or are on the fence between two schools, don’t do this!
Without doing that, you can attend events at the school if offered/open to the public. Personally,
I think this can be one of the best ways to assess vibe. It’s unscripted and unfiltered. (Obviously only possible if you are relatively local.) But theater productions, sporting events, etc. are typically open to the public. Some can be streamed if you are further away. You can follow the schools on social media. Open emails and links. Again, my opinion is that you should do these things for all the schools you applied to, not so much as to increase your odds but to continue to learn as much as you can about all the schools. You may discover something about a school that wasn’t at the top of your list that moves it up. Your choices on M10 may not include a favorite.
From the AOs point of view, their objective is to create a class. They will be evaluated on who enrolls next fall. They know that some admitted kids will attend elsewhere - this is inevitable. If you are a very sure thing for them, it may be helpful to them. They want to be in the running! Again, I think it matters more to know you’ll seriously consider an offer rather than being “first choice”.
The inverse of this is probably more true. Many students have schools on their list as back-ups. If that sentiment came through, it can be harmful to your chances.
I’d also remember that AOs are busy at this time of year so reach out, if you must, with respect for their time. An application, completed thoroughly and with care, is already a big statement of interest.
My initial reaction was to think maybe you look like someone who could drop a huge donation, but at this stage that would be bribery. Even sending a fruit basket or some token gift would be inappropriate during this period. Endearing oneself by contributing to a school has to be a little more subtle, and looks a little odd before admission unless your kid is a legacy applicant (and you have already been making contributions).
Upon thinking about it overnight, I believe that you should take the advice you received from parents at that one school with a grain of salt. Admissions offices are especially busy between now and M10. Call me a New Englander, but sometimes the best way to show someone love is to not unnecessarily nag them. Only contact them if you have a really good reason to contact them. It’s okay to show your love in those communications. For example, if you are reaching out to confirm that an application is complete, or about submitting supplemental information, it is okay to have a sentence or two about what you/your kid especially love about that school.
Of course! That’s just common courtesy, isn’t it? But you should do that for all the schools, not just your favorite(s).
I wouldn’t describe basic social etiquette as “showing love”. However, schools do appreciate polite people. There is room for debate as to whether thank you’s should be electronic or snail mail. It wouldn’t hurt to do both.
Our kiddo sent thank you notes (snail) to interviewers, and emails to student tour guides - again, more out of politeness than some grand strategy. And no, as to the question above, we’re not the drop-a-huge-donation type, neither by means nor inclination, and sending gifts would feel so utterly gauche.
We’ll keep attending every zoom session and make it back to campus for sporting events as best we can, and we’ll encourage our kid to write an I-love-you note to her preferred schools, and of course not promise to accept admission at more than one (if at all, as I am not sure that she’s made up her mind among her top 3).