Most likely, it’s been a long few months. We know you really want the private elementary school application process to end. But, if your child is wait-listed at a school you really like, you’ll need to continue with the process. Here are a few suggestions:
- Call or email the admissions director immediately. Tell him or her you’re disappointed that your child was wait-listed, but you’re still very hopeful a spot will open up. Remind him/her how much you love the school. Let the admissions director know the school is your top choice and you’ll enroll your child if they offer you a spot. You are ready to write the deposit check!
- Have your friends or parents you know at the school contact the admissions director and reiterate the same message: you’ll enroll your child if offered a spot.
- Don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear from the admissions director. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the school and they are waiting to know how many parents (if any) will decline their offer and therefore create spaces for wait-listed families.
- Don’t keep calling or emailing the school! You don’t want to appear panicked or over-involved, even if that’s how you feel.
- Be very patient. Families are admitted from wait-lists right away and in the summer months.
- Schools DO offer wait-listed families admissions! We know lots of families at many top schools who were initially wait-listed.
- If the admissions director tells you to accept a spot elsewhere, take that as a hint that your child probably won’t get in.
- If you have a “back-up” school, don’t give up that option just because your child is wait-listed at another school. A lot of parents will put a deposit on their 2nd choice school, but continue to keep in contact with their 1st choice school where they were wait-listed.
- Keep your cool and don’t have an attitude or seem resentful. Being wait-listed is part of the process and it can end up working out for your child.
- Patience and persistence can pay off…we’ve seen it many times.
- Good luck!
