5 Keys to Second Round Admissions

By Elisabeth Swain, M.Ed., M. EdL

It’s 6 a.m. on March 10, and while that’s a time that most teenagers are still struggling to get out of bed, for those that have applied for boarding school, it’s about the time that they start regularly refreshing their email to see if they have gotten into the boarding schools of their choice.  Many of those that applied to private day schools have already known the answer for a few weeks now.

When the email relays news of admission, it’s a relief. But for those students and families that didn’t hear what they were hoping - a “thank you for your application, but not this year”  or a waiting list assignment - it can be disheartening and a difficult time.

If your family finds itself in this situation, here are five keys to getting back in the mix and finding a school that is an excellent fit in the second season of admissions.

1. Revisit your list. Look at the schools that you applied to and those that you considered but ultimately ruled out and see what they have in common. Decide which are the most critical aspects of each, and then widen your parameters on the other elements. Perhaps a strong field hockey team, AP history courses, and a commitment to diversity are the three most important factors. If the school’s distance from home was part of the mix, but ultimately not a deciding factor, widen it out by another hour of driving and see what great schools may have been just beyond that initial border.

2. Know your timeline. While it takes months to hear back from schools in the first round of admissions, decisions can be made within weeks during the second season. Generally, those that are accepted to a school have about four weeks to make a decision. Most will do so within the first two weeks. This means that you want to start contacting schools regarding second season admissions about two weeks after they send out their admissions letters. Schools then have a chance to get a good sense of what their fall classes look like and who they may still be hoping to enroll.

3. Ask about revisit days. Some schools will be able to relax their protocols regarding on-campus visitors as the spring continues. Ask the schools you are considering if they offer an in-person revisit day and whether you might be able to join that group if space permits. It’s an excellent opportunity to feel the “vibe” of a school that you may not have had the chance to visit in the fall.

4. Be organized. Each school will have a separate set of expectations and processes regarding its second season admissions. It can be a lot to keep track of, and admissions officers are no less busy than before the first round of acceptance letters went out. This is where an educational consultant can be beneficial. We have relationships with the admissions staff and can get the inside scoop on what schools are looking for, whether your child would be a good fit, and the best course of action to create the best possible outcome.

5. Stay optimistic.Facing rejection is never easy, and, for most students, it feels incredibly personal. Keeping things in perspective and modeling resilience as you parent your child through this time is essential. Remind them that they are looking for the best fit and that getting a “no” response just means that the school wasn’t the best fit for them at this time. Invite them to broaden their horizons and find other schools that will give them the academic, athletic, and social environment that they’re looking for - those schools are out there and just waiting to get their application.

If you need help navigating the second round process, give us a call at 914-301-5422 or email me at Elisabeth@CollegeAndPrep.com