Be Real
Every admission season I witness families approaching the admission process in distinct ways. Some move through it like they have a playbook, seemingly knowing which events to attend and how to expertly prepare their child for the school visit. Others have a more frenetic approach, worried they are missing some crucial event or aren’t showing enough interest. Some submit an application, but attend zero events and hardly interact, making it hard to gauge their interest. A smaller group grills administrators like they’re being considered for a position in their company.
Families often forget that it’s not just about what they present in their application, it’s how they approach the process. Independent schools are not simply educating children all day, they’re entering into a dynamic relationship with each family. An applicant could have all the recommendation letters in the world (please don’t take this as an invitation to get them), but they don’t account for how a family shows up in the process, which often translates to how they will show up in the school community.
Remember, admissions is a two-way process. Schools want to get to know you and your child, and you are getting to know the school’s mission, values, and community. Here are five ways authentic to approach an application process:
All students bring many strengths to the table. Share their strengths.
Schools understand that all students have areas of growth. If you can’t share any, that’s concerning. Name their challenges.
Sharing where your child is at this moment in time is not something to hide; it shows that you know your child and are invested in their growth.
Do not hide something about your applicant that will become apparent once they join the school. This can be related to their learning style, a social and emotional preference, or what you know works well for them in the classroom. If they are seeing a specialist, it’s ideal to share that information. If you are in the process of getting more information, tell the school about it.
Don’t get caught up in showing only one side of your child or family. Humans are complex, and educators - more than anyone - understand that it's how we approach the journey (the highs, the lows, setbacks, and surprises) that matters.
Children are naturally authentic and often comfortable taking risks. Follow their lead in the application process and it will serve your family well.