We work with many high powered clients (doctors, lawyers, hedge fund managers, entrepreneurs, local celebrities, politicians, etc.). Many of these clients have instant name recognition in their field, in Boston, and sometimes even nationally. Most of our clients are lovely people, who only want the best for their children, but every once-in-a-while we see someone who is trying to use their status to further their child’s chances of gaining admission to a prestigious private school.
I can tell you from over 14 years of experience, that this approach often backfires. The schools do not care what you or your spouse have accomplished professionally. They care about what your child has accomplished. They do not care who you know, how much money you have, or how much influence you might yield in certain circles. I have seen titans of industry who have had their kids rejected from some of the most prestigious schools in the country because they thought (incorrectly) that their child could ride their coattails to admission.
The top private schools are inundated with applicants from wealthy, prestigious families. They have their pick of the children of power brokers. There are more qualified, connected, rich kids than their are seats at these schools. Your child has to earn their way into the best schools. You cannot use your status and influence to give them a boost. I have seen this backfire many times. It is distasteful to schools when parents try to use the: “Do you know who I am?” line. The schools DO NOT CARE who you are! They care who your child is, and what kind of parent you are.
Below are the top ten things schools look for in all applicants:
- Good grades in challenging courses.
- Excellent teacher recommendations that note that the child is a hard worker, and a nice kid.
- High standardized test scores that indicate the applicant has solid math and reading skills.
- Nice parents who are involved and not too pushy or overbearing.
- A child with a talent or a passion they have pursued (not because they were forced to do so) and that they excelled at.
- A family that gives back to the community through service.
- A successful interview with the applicant and parents where the school gets a good sense that the child is a fit for the school.
- Glowing recommendations from the current school’s staff and administration (teachers and principal) stating that the parents are supportive of the student and the school.
- Ability to pay full tuition – at some schools this matters more than at other schools (more on this in future blog posts).
- Well crafted parent and student applications and essays that highlight why the school is a good fit for the student and the family.
If a student and family have hit high notes in all the above areas, the student has a very good chance of being admitted to their top choice school.
Honesty and lack of pretense are very refreshing characteristics to bring to this process. A family that is open and honest with the admissions committee about who they are, who their child is, what they want for their child, and what is a good fit for their child, will stand out in an applicant pool of people trying to be someone, or something they are not. Be yourself and let the chips fall where they may.
As I always tell my families: “If your child is not a good fit for the school, better you know now, than after you have committed thousands of dollars to a place where your child is miserable.”
Anne Yount Boston ISEE Prep 617-553-8083 www.bostoniseeprep.com - Test Prep for the ISEE & Latin School Exam Boston Tutoring Center 617-553-8083 www.bostontutoringcenter.com - Tutoring Grades K-12 Boston Private School Search 617-553-0540 www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com - Your Resource for Private School Admissions Follow my Blog - http://privateschoolguru.com/blog/