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07.23.08, 07:36 AM NY Schools
24 replies
What is Dalton looking for in the "why Dalton" essay? We won't yet have toured when we have to write it, so I will just be going off of what I have heard and the written materials. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 07.23.08, 07:36 AM Flag
 

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What is what we did. Open House and spring tours all booked and couldn't go. I didn't know anyone who sent dc to Dalton, either. All I knew was that it was the most racially diverse TT and the only progressive TT and that's all I had to know. Also read it had a great arts/theater/creative programs. In the end, they want to know if your family really buys into their Dalton plan/progressive education and if your values mesh (strong emphasis on diversity, justice, etc.). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 07:46 AM Flag
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Don't be safe and boring. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 07:47 AM Flag
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That's the position we were in. But - it was the only school we interviewed at where the essay seemed to matter. Babby (DOA) had highlighted essay and referred to it in the interview. So, I would say spend extra time on that one and highlight why your child would benefit from a progressive education and the Dalton Plan (if you can figure out what it is). IMO it helps to have DC's ERBs submitted before child and parent interview. Although there was no rush to actually get the application in as interview spots were not limited. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 07:48 AM Flag
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Same. Babby highlighted various parts of the essay and commented on them/asked for more info. Other schools - don't even seem to read anything you write, esp'ly SS schools (very little space for essay). Maybe bec it's a prog school, they really want to recruit kids who will be a good fit (self motivated, smart, curious) and parents who are supportive of prog ed'n. Try not to sound snobbish. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 07:53 AM Flag
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I agree. Like most schools - they are interested in knowing what things interest your DC and not what things DC can do (read, write, simple math, chess). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 07:56 AM Flag
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Though if dc can read, write, etc., you could mention in under special abilities section; but if you do, they will verify during playdate or something. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:01 AM Flag
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>of course, these things can be taught and drilled, so may not reflect intelligence of the child. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:02 AM Flag
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It's a matter of personal preference I guess. We justed listed DC's interests in "special interests or abilities" section and none were exceptional (art, music, cooking). But we talked about those in our essay and interview. Dalton does its own "testing" at the 1 hr. child interview like many schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:06 AM Flag
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Do you know what they test for? I think problem solving ability and social interaction are observed but not sure what else. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:09 AM Flag
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DC mentioned battery of "exercises" they asked him to perform - although none involved reading. Most sounded performance related (like coding section of ERB). Then again, this was from the mouth of babes (not Babs) so who knows. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:15 AM Flag
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Dc mentioned drawing, playing with some jewel looking puzzle toy (no idea what that is), helping a friend w/ a broken toy (dc offered his toy to the other kid and tried to mend the broken toy himself)... other than that, no clue. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:18 AM Flag
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At some schools they move around to a bunch of diff activities and watch how the kids deal with frequent transitions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:26 AM Flag
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They all do [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:19 AM Flag
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Interviewers def. ask the kids about things you mention they like. If you say DC loves science or music they will ask DC what specifically they like to do or which instruments they like to play (ice breaker). Better to list off-beat true interest than list something you think sounds impressive (studying mandarin/knows how to say hello in seven languages). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:10 AM Flag
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The person who interviewed us didn't even have our essay with her [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:18 AM Flag
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Not Babby, then. Basement interview? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:20 AM Flag
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Honestly, I don't know. I thought we did a good job of ours. Curious, smart (99x3), self-motivated, independent dc. Dalton wasn't fc, but I thought we'd at least get a wl. Basement interview with Vivian (who said our essay was great) and ding. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:00 AM Flag
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What did you write? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:03 AM Flag
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I have to think it was your essay, then... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:16 AM Flag
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Ditto, except we got WLd. Although I write for a living, I think my essays must not have been very good - DC got into several TTs but only ones that didn't ask for essays. WLd at all the essay schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 05:56 PM Flag
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They are not looking for good writing. They are looking for content that shows your family/dc is a good match for Dalton. I'm not a good writer and got complimented on it plus an accept. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 06:14 PM Flag
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We definitely weren't a match for Dalton - that was clear to us (and presumably to them). I tried to walk the walk and talk the talk in the essay, but it was complete crap - I thought (and still think) the Dalton Plan is hokum, which they presumably could tell. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 06:16 PM Flag
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They've been doing it for a while now, so I think they can tell who's serious or who's a good match and who's not. Not a reflection on your writing, I'm sure. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 06:17 PM Flag
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Just be yourself. Okay to be eccentric. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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