<p>I can’t believe we are still having this debate on moral issues. 
I think OP just wanted to keep the spot in the Grottlesex in case his son fails in re-applying to Andover next year. I don’t think it’s practically doable, if Andover insists you file a full-blown re-application. The teacher recommendation, counselor/principal remarks and your own explantion for the decision of transferring to another school after 2 months in it would be problem, problem, problem. So unless Andover basically accepts him based on his last year’s application, which is very unlikely, it’s just difficult to pull it off. He may just have to attend the public school for a year and then apply from there if he really just wants to go to Andover, but the risk is huge. Or like many suggested, just happily go to the school that offered him admission and good FA. It’s a great school - not the best in your dictionary - but still one of the best right? I think he will be fine in no time once he is there.</p>
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<p>I wouldn’t call it a corrupting factor, but it is a very difficult barrier to cross. Kids who receive financial aid have convinced two committees that the school needs them. The admissions committee approves every accepted applicant, but the financial aid committee must approve a sufficiently large grant to allow the applicant to attend. Every year, CC witnesses many wonderful candidates who can’t attend their dream school due to a lack of FA. The school which offered the OP’s son admission, and generous financial aid, believed that there was a strong fit, and that the school needs the child.</p>
<p>It’s quite likely that the son, were he to attend the school which accepted him with an open heart, would feel the fit. At present, the family knows Andover very well, but doesn’t know much about the new school–other than that it loves their son.</p>
<p>But…the ethical debate is so much fun (albeit way too repetitive on my part 
) </p>
<p>You’re right Benley–the whole idea of applying from one bs school to another (without a really compelling reason) could be dismissed for purely practical reasons. But I’ve enjoyed the back and forth-- and isn’t a good humanities education at least paritially about examining the underlying ethical grounds for our practical actions?</p>
<p>I don’t know…but I just don’t think trying to transfer is as problematic as some folks make it out to be. I transferred colleges. I think schools realize they sometimes don’t get it right and everyone wants what’s best for the student even if he or she feels they belong at another school. Not sure they “love” every kid. I think if one student decides it’s not a good fit, they have 200 more ready to take their spot and those already enrolled that need their attention.</p>
<p>Well, of course the school will get over the “loss” in no time. The problem is what if you fail to get into Andover again next year? Wouldn’t it be too awkward for you to stay in Grottlesex? I don’t know. Maybe not?</p>
<p>In my experience, if a schools thinks all you need is one more year and then you’d be ready, they would tell you that. Likewise, if they’d take you as a repeater, they offer that up as a suggestion. </p>
<p>Since this thread is really irking me, I called Andover. I was told that any parent whose child was rejected should call and speak to the child’s admission officer. The AO will most definitely tell you your child “weaknesses” and then you can make a very educated assessment about whether or not those weaknesses would/could be overcome by the Jan.15th application deadline. Although they would never “chance” a child, they did say that a realistic parent should be able to make a very educated decision following the conversation with the AO. </p>
<p>I think the AO conversation is the missing link that will tip the scales. Therefore, I’d say - call the school and have an honest heart to heart.</p>
<p>Well, the thread has been less about whether the kid has a chance to get in and more about accepting one school with the intention of applying again to another that one sees as better in some way. </p>
<p>Of course, Groton, you’re right that if the kid isn’t qualified, the whole question is moot. But it’s interesting to run with the premise that the kid has a chance to get in, and then debate the ethics (or practical reasons) for accepting or not accepting the consolation prize school. Really, I think, it’s only interesting as a hypothetical debate, since it’s pretty clear that the particular families involved are not swayed in the slightest by the brilliance of our arguments. ;)</p>
<p>No, I don’t think it would be too awkward to stay at a school after asking for a couple letters of recommendation from 9th grade Math and English teachers and letting your advisor know you think X school may be a better fit. 10th grade teachers are different than ninth…and I don’t think a majority of people would hold it against a 9th grader for exploring options. Kids and teachers move on; it might be just what he needs to move on and enjoy St. Gottlesex, vs. always chasing, the “what if?”</p>
<p>Calling AOs is hard to do although valuable, but may not always result in a call-back and that doesn’t necessarily mean your chances of being accepted are zip…you can’t overly interpret. The school needs to see what the new applicant pool is and doesn’t have a crystal ball til they are all around the table discussing candidates. A few kids from my s’s middle school did not get in anywhere and their attempts to get information from various schools was haphazard at best. If persistent, it paid off in a couple cases.</p>
<p>Andover admissions answered my call on the first ring and then transferred me immediately to an AO who immediately answered my question. </p>
<p>There is a big difference in response time during Feb - April. During off-season (now) it’s relatively dead and AO’s are very responsive. I would try calling again. Although pre-May the phones ring off the hook with accepted students making decisions, hopeful waitlistee’s and rejected applicants, at this time in the season (May 20th) they are gearing up for next year, but nowhere near as swamped as a month ago.</p>
<p>Again, Andover did not say they would “chance” a child, merely let parents know what the weaknesses were in the application.</p>
<p>I believe Andover waitlisted your son because they feel it’s a bad fit between the two. They won’t hesitate to give aid to a sibling who is a good fit for the school as is the case with most Boarding schools. In my humble opinion, move on to a school that accepted your son which confirms that they believe he is a great fit and will thrive at the school. I would never apply again to a school that waitlisted D and spurn those that though enough her to offer an acceptance from the beginning. Also this a good lesson for your son who doesn’t accept rejection or not winning very well from what your post said. He needs to move on after experiencing set backs and not think he’ll win at everything no matter how talented he may be. Also, I hope Andover did not sense that as it may be a big red flag.</p>
<p>I called Andover to see why my D did not get in and was told there was no reason other than the sheer volume of qualified applicants. I spoke to both the AO who interviewed her and the AO in charge of the girls in the class she applied to. Both said her application was excellent in all ways. She was not even waitlisted. </p>
<p>With a sibling at the school, as in the case of the OP, I suspect there is a further explanation.</p>
<p>I agree Sadie! Every school I know gives priority to siblings as long as they are qualified and a good fit. My understanding of Andover is that they are keen to recruit “nice kids” who are also good scholrs. Not saying this is not the case with the son who was waitlisted, but if the one attending is meeting or surpassing their expectations, and the son applying is academically sound and a kid with the right attitutde, I can’t see logically how he was waitlisted unless the scenarios I outlined are not the reality here.</p>