THE PROCESs

Selection and application counseling

School selection and application counseling is a comprehensive service that begins in late summer or early fall. The process comprises four major steps, with a number of smaller stops along the way.

1. Information meeting and suggestions. I meet with families and students to gather extensive information about how you think about education and schooling, what’s important to your child, and whether there are must-haves and/or dealbreakers. From that conversation, I’ll generate a list of schools where I think your child can thrive. (Clients are free to modify that list at their discretion, of course. It’s a starting point for the work we’ll be doing.)

2. Standardized testing. Many schools require testing, such as the WPPSI, the WISC, and/or the SSAT or ISEE — and almost all that don’t require it allow applicants the option to submit testing results. We’ll talk about the impact of that testing on the admission process at various schools, and you’ll consider whether you’d like your child to undertake any formal preparation. Tests are generally administered in the fall and early winter.

3. School visits and interviews. You and your child will visit most of the schools to which they’re applying. I’ll provide counsel and strategy suggestions to parents and student for making the most of these opportunities.

4. The written application. Most schools will ask for written reflections on various questions from parents, and from students applying (usually) to grade 6 and higher. We’ll talk about strategies for approaching these important parts of your child’s candidacy, and how to realize the most effective applications in the process.

In addition, selection and application includes the services listed below, as appropriate. (Not all families engage all services.)

• Interviews and conversations with parents (and with applicants to grade 4 and above)

• Review and discussion of grades and school reports

• Review and discussion of standardized testing and professional evaluations

• Discussions of schools identified by parents

• Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of boarding schools

• Recommendations for schools to consider

• Recommendations for additional testing and resources (if indicated)

• Recommendations for test preparation services

• Discussion of teacher recommendations

• Discussion of application calendar

• Evaluation of the likelihood of admission at particular schools

• Discussion and coaching on student school visits and interviews

• Discussion and coaching on parent school visits and interviews

• Complete review of applications

• Advising on unusual conflicts between schools

• Discussion of admission options after offers are received

• Strategic counsel on wait-list decisions

• Preparation for matriculation

• Other questions and concerns as they arise

Hourly Consultation

The process of applying to schools — at least for those who want to do it as well as possible — almost always takes several months. In my experience, it is hard for families to approach the process piecemeal and still feel like they have done the best job possible. For this reason, I give priority to working with families who are interested in engaging the whole process, rather than those looking for a bit of help here and there.

In limited situations, however, families have specific questions that require less discussion and planning than a full application process involves. For example, sometimes families begin the process later in the fall, after some deadlines and admission events have passed. If a full-service process doesn’t make sense, I am happy to discuss hourly billing.

Will i help your child find a “perfect fit”?

Probably not. Almost all students can find success at a range of different schools. Besides, students are not well served when they don’t encounter sufficient challenges or opportunities for adaptation and flexibility that are essential to growing up. When we remove age-appropriate obstacles from our children’s paths, we inhibit their development in two ways: First, we rob them of opportunities to develop coping mechanisms; and, second, we communicate that adults in their lives do not have confidence in them to solve everyday problems.

Instead of seeking one magic, perfect fit, I advise parents to search for options where their children can adapt and thrive. And even at schools that are great matches, is a rare family that never encounters a conflict with their school, especially over the long term. Instead of adopting the “one-ism” approach that’s common in school searches, I help families discover the advantages and disadvantages of various schools, and evaluate those attributes so they can make good, confident decisions.

CAN I HELP WITH A WAITLIST?

Counsel on strategy for navigating waitlist situations is a standard aspect of my work each year with a handful of families. Waitlist decisions often feel like a kind of admission purgatory, and while we can’t create openings where none exist, many waitlist situations resolve favorably.

I generally do not accept new clients for the sole purpose of providing counsel on waitlist situations in the spring. That’s because I begin work with families at the beginning of a school year, and of course some of those students are placed on waitlists as well. I try to avoid putting longer-term clients at a disadvantage that can arise if I help new clients looking for just a little strategic advice.

A Note on Fees

I try to be sensitive to differences in family resources, and I often adjust fees based on family circumstances. If you are committed to applying to independent schools, and you’d like to work with me, but you are concerned about the expense, please get in touch so we can discuss your situation.