Page 22 - 2016octissue

Five steps
The independent
school journey can
be complex, so
make it easy by
following the best
practices listed
below:
1. Submit the application before the deadline.
This is so obvious, yet so important: make sure your
admissions folder is completed well before the deadline.
Admissions staff are intrinsically well­organized and detailed
oriented. They will appreciate the care and concern which you
have shown to complete the file as soon as you can. They can
begin their review process only once the file is complete.
2. Give recommendation forms out early.
Don’t hand the teacher recommendation forms to the teachers
the week before they are due. That’s discourteous, to say the
least. And don’t forget to put a stamp on all the envelopes.
Teachers don’t make a lot of money. They will appreciate your
thoughtfulness. Recommendation forms take time and care to
complete properly. Allow as much time as possible.
3. Schedule testing well before the deadlines.
While you can schedule testing at the last minute and even do
walk­ins, it is not recommended unless you have no other
alternatives. Bookmark the test schedule. Buy the practice
materials and even hire a tutor if your child needs that extra
help. Admissions testing is only one part of the admissions
process, but it is an important one. Admissions test scores
give admission staff pretty clear guidance as to what your child
has learned to date. They know how applicants with certain
scores will perform at their school.
4. Apply for financial aid well in advance.
Waiting to the last minute to do anything is not a
good idea as a rule. But nowhere is this more true
than when it comes to financial aid. The financial
aid decisions are made separately from
admissions. Because there is a limited pool of
funds for financial aid, you need to adhere to all
the deadlines scrupulously or risk having your
financial aid request turned down.
5. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
You may have your sights set on Exeter. But the
fact of the matter is that Exeter is extremely
competitive. It receives many more applicants than
it places for. That’s why it is so important to
develop a list of schools spanning three
categories: the schools which are a reach because
they are very selective, the schools which you are
80% sure you can get into and the safe schools
which you know you can get into with no problems.
Safe schools often are the hidden treasures in the
private school world. They have everything you
want in a boarding school but lack the name
recognition the top ten boarding schools have.