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07.16.08, 11:46 AM NY Schools
24 replies
Public school mom here -- we never applied to any privates. Is there some sort of preliminary vetting that goes on at privates, or does everyone who submits an application form automatically get a playdate/interview? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 07.16.08, 11:46 AM Flag
 

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you automatically get interview/playdate unless you submit late and they don't have any interview spots left. there isn't a "vetting" process based on the application aside from sibling or legacy status. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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everyone gets an interview/playdate who applies, but they definitely sort applications into "yes" and "no" piles as soon as they get them. For those in the "no" pile, they sort of go through the motions with you. The KEY here is not letting on that you are in the "no" pile while they are going through the motions with you. Some schools (like Dalton) for example have pretty transparent methods (like if you don't interview with Babby, you are probably a "no"...... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:51 AM Flag
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really? Please tell me more... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:52 AM Flag
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once they have the full package--ERBs, school report, application with essays and parent's pedigree (career, degree/college/university attended)--they probably do a preliminary sort, then further sort after the interviews/playdate. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:55 AM Flag
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So if, say, dc has good ERBS (above 95), good PSreport, dh went to HYP, I went to TTlibarts, have interesting careers, etc., we might end up in the "yes" pile? (hypothetically... just curious) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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I'd imagine you'd at least be considered, though there are no gaurantees these days. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:57 AM Flag
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of course - i'm just wondering how our "credentials" would hold up [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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then there's the waitlist "maybe" pile... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 11:53 AM Flag
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right, but if you are put in that pile from the start you still don't have much hope [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:11 PM Flag
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Do you really think that the basement interview thing is true. I think that they get so many applicants that, unless you are super famous, it is just the luck of the drawl who gets Babby. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 12:47 PM Flag
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definitely not luck of the draw. it's very deliberate and methodical. not everyone who has virtually no shot goes to the basement -- they mix it up and this year sent families to interview at the upper school and in the reception room. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 01:33 PM Flag
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It just seems unlikely. First of all, it is not a good way to keep employees. If I knew that I would be interviewing a majority of parents in the basement whose dc would never get in, I don't think I'd like my job very much. And many people interview before their dc's scores or school reports are in. FWIW, we were interviewed in the basement and dc was reject, but I think it had more to do with the fact that we put every single SS ahead of Dalton on our list and that information was communicated by our PSD. I could be wrong, but I would hate to think that they decided dc would not get in before they met any of us and only knew from our application that neither of us attended Ivies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 04:58 PM Flag
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The basement thing is ABSOLUTELY true. We had a basement interview when we applied for K (for the 06/07 school year). DH and I joked about being led to the basement afterwords but never talked to anyone about it. The following admissions year (for 07/08) people on UB coined the term "basement interview". Babby admittedly reads UB schools board. This season (for 08/09) nobody had a basement interview. Coincidence? I think not! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:17 PM Flag
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Um, many people did. People posted about it here. We had one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:23 PM Flag
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We had a basement interview this year. Boy was that a turnoff. They hadn't met DD yet and they didn't have her scores. The dingbat who interviewed us hadn't read the application or my carefully-written essay. We pulled our application, because (a) we thought Dalton was crass and (b)we wanted SS anyway - DD is headed for TT SS in the fall. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 06:19 AM Flag
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It is true that one of the interview rooms is in the basement. It is not true that where you interview has any bearing on whether or not your child is admitted. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 06:24 AM Flag
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How do you know that? I think it seems very unlikely, but we did have a basement interview & the woman seemed fake and dc was rejected. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 06:31 AM Flag
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^^^^ But I still don't think that the place of interview had anything to do with it - but it does make you wonder. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 06:32 AM Flag
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not true, babby interviews selectively. my psd called and recommended us and we got our interview with her, but then dinged. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.21.08, 05:17 PM Flag
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This is simply not true at the schools that I am familiar with. The child interview carries a lot of weight in the decision process. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 04:41 PM Flag
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we interviewed at Dalton without ERBs, without any PSD feedback, we are nobodies and got Babby. Ended up getting in, but I think plenty of people interview before Dalton has any knowledge if they are interested in them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.21.08, 05:08 PM Flag
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Everyone gets an interview, except at Trinity this is at least how it used to be back in my day, but after you get the interview then the vetting starts but once the scores are in the two piles are made [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 12:29 PM Flag
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Trinity gives 2 family interviews to those with no shot, 1 family interview for those who have a chance. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.21.08, 05:09 PM Flag
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I don't get that. What do you mean? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.21.08, 05:23 PM Flag
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