Selecting schools that fit your needs and requirements takes much time and effort. However, once that part of the process of choosing a school is finished, you need to focus on the admissions processes for the three to five schools that you have selected. Use this admissions checklist to keep you and your child on track. There is much detail, plenty of forms to fill out, and a standardized admissions test to prepare for.
Testing
I have put admissions testing at the top of my checklist simply because it needs as much advance preparation as your child can give it. While standardized admissions tests are just one of several tools that the admissions professionals at each school will use to assess your child, they are an important part of the assessment process. Most schools use the SSAT and ISEE. But there are other tests out there as well. Review the admissions requirements carefully once you have narrowed your choice of schools to the magic three to five number. With luck, you will discover that all the schools on your list use the same test. That will simplify matters enormously for both you and your child.
This video offers some tips for taking the SSAT.
If, on the other hand, you end up with two or possibly three different tests, you will have those additional test registrations to schedule, register, and pay for. Scheduling works best when you start as far in advance as possible. The SSAT opens its registration on August 1 and offers test dates in October, November, and December. It does offer dates in the winter and spring. But if the schools on your list have firm admissions deadlines, you must shoot for one of the fall test dates. Schools with rolling admissions offer you some flexibility.
The ISEE offers its testing through Prometric. That's the outfit that administers tests for just about any certification you can think of. You can schedule your child's test virtually anytime. If the schools that you have selected for your shortlist use the ISEE, you will have great flexibility in scheduling the actual test.
The next step is to purchase a test preparation book or online test preparation materials as soon as possible. Schedule a mock test for your child. This will accomplish two things: give your child a feel for how the test is organized and paced and show you which areas you might want to remediate.
Regarding the test itself, it is very important that your child be comfortable and at ease with the test format and test conditions. She will be stressed out enough just to have to take a test. Make sure she works two or three practice tests under conditions as close to actual test conditions as you can emulate.
Once you identify any deficiencies, get your child the extra help she needs. A couple of tutoring sessions usually does the trick. This extra help will build her confidence so that she will do her best on the actual test date.
Recommendations
Recommendations don't seem to need to be addressed much in advance. But they do, and here's why. Your child isn't the only one asking for teacher recommendations. You should allow a week, possibly two weeks, depending on the time of the year, for these to be done. You will never see the recommendations mailed. All you can do is take the teacher's word that she has filled out the form and mailed it in the envelope that you so kindly stamped. Try to hand out teacher recommendations in late September or October. November is problematic because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Interview
Most interviews have at least two parts: the actual interview and the writing sample or essay. Even if the schools that you are looking at happen to be in your local area, interviews need to be scheduled in advance, and they do take time. Factor that planning into your list of admissions tasks. Yes, you could schedule back-to-back interviews at schools near you. But that is going to create huge amounts of stress for both you and your child. Space the interviews out. That will allow plenty of time for discussion and debriefing after the interview.
Always arrive at the interview as rested and relaxed as you can be. It is important to be able to read the admissions officer as best you can. While you can never be sure until you receive the acceptance letter, there will be telltale signs that they like you and your child.
Financial Aid
Will you need some help with private school expenses? Then, the financial aid process must start as soon as possible. Most schools use the PFS or Parents Financial Statement. While the application can be done online and the instructions are clear, make sure that you gather all the documentation you need to complete and submit your PFS application as soon as possible. Most schools have allocated a specific amount in their budgets for financial aid. Once that has been spoken for, there probably will not be any more money forthcoming for financial aid.
This video gives an overview of how a personal financial statement works.
Complete your admissions file.
Your child’s admissions file is not complete until all the forms have been submitted. No decision can be made unless the file is complete. Don't relax until your child's file is complete. Make sure that you beat any deadlines by several days at a minimum. For domestic applicants, several weeks or a month is a good idea. The point of this admissions checklist is to help you stay organized throughout what is a rather lengthy and detailed process.
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