Abacus Mom

Into a Riverdale Private School Today

From a client today:  (Child was admitted to middle school.  Identifying details removed.)

Hi! Emily

We just got <Child's> acceptance letter today. Thank you so much for everything!!! We could not do it without your Guidence. He is so happy! We are very proud. Thanks again for everything!

Best!

<Mom's name>

 

How to Interpret a NYC Private School Wait List

Question from the email bag today:  Is a private school wait list a good sign or is it a kind rejection?

Answer: It could be either.  I work with my educational consulting clients to help them understand how to work the wait list--understanding where they are on it and how to increase the chances their children get off it and in.

Manhattan, Brooklyn and Riverdale private school wait lists are active during the period between when you hear and when parents have to respond.  Once you sign a contract with one ISAAGNY school, no other ISAAGNY school is supposed to offer you a contract.  If you don't enroll your child in an ISAAGNY school, you can usually remain on the wait list.

Wait list strategy is tricky and often rewards the strong of stomach. 

The 3 Most Common Mistakes People Make When They Write Private School Admissions Essays

For almost fourteen years, I've been reviewing parents' and students' private school admissions essays.  At this point, that's thousands of admissions statements.  But whenever I feel sorry for myself, I have to think about those poor private school admissions officers.  Sure, maybe they ask for it by assigning the questions, but believe me, they get theirs.

For your edification, here are the three most common mistakes I see again and again on private school essays:

1. Showing off.  Clearly, you don't want to be too modest.  But on the flip side, when you make grandiose statements about your child's accomplishments ("Bella knows more about fossils than do many paleontologists") , it can turn the reader off.  Be careful.  You're walking a fine line.
2. Showing rather than telling.  Surely, you've heard this well-known rule for good writing.  It certainly applies to private school essays.  You need to have examples to back up your points.  For example, I had a client this year who wrote that her child is bright, athletic, and good at math.  Do you believe her?  She needs supporting evidence.
3. Writing too much.  You know your child is fascinating.  You might want to read three pages about her.  Unfortunately, your reader has competing interests.  You want to use space efficiently and clearly get across your key selling points.

As one of the longest practicing private school admissions consultants in NYC, I have considerable perspective about what makes parents and children unique in a way that attracts admissions directors.  I am currently accepting Private School Admissions Support clients who will be applying in 2012 for 2013 admission.  To learn more or call 212-712-2228 9am-9pm EST.  Please book early because prime slots in late spring go quickly and every year I have to turn parents away.

For more:

How to Write a Private School Admissions Essay (for Kindergarten, but the Principle Holds True for Older Grades as Well):

 

Parent Explains Why Educational Consultant's Help with Interviews Big Factor in Family's Success

From a current client today.  Her child is applying to elite Manhattan and Riverdale private schools.  (All identifying details removed, naturally.)

Hi Emily:

 I just wanted to say hello, and let you know how things are going. We have completed 9 out of 10 interviews. It has been grueling, as you predicted. <Child> is an old pro at interviewing at this point, as are my husband and I. EVERYTHING you recommended has served us, and served us well! I cannot imagine having done this without your advice.

Your advice about what summer courses <Child> should take was spot on, and also allowed <Child> the opportunity to find something that he is really good at.  <Child> talked a lot about <special activity> at all the interviews.

For Sept. 2013 Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, or Westchester private high school or middle school admissions support: now is the time to reserve your child's spot and improve his or her chances: 212-712-2228 or eglickman(at)abacusguide.com  Hurry, once Emily's schedule fills up, it fills up.

Parents Say Abacus Guide's Help was Invaluable in Younger Siblings' Admission to Top Tier NYC Private School

We're delighted to have received these two emails today (with identifying details removed) from Manhattan clients who used our educational consulting services for both older sibling and younger sibling private school admissions.  In both cases, younger sib was admitted to older sib's top tier school today.  Congratulations!

Hi emily

I wanted to let you know that we just heard that <child's name> was accepted at <top tier Manhattan private school>.

We’re obviously thrilled

As always, your help was invaluable.

Warmly, <Mom>

***

We just heard that <younger child> is in!  We're so relieved.  It was a really rough year this year.

Our heartfelt thanks for everything you did!

<Mom>

 

 

Parent Thanks Toby Glick for Helping Special Needs Child Find the Perfect School

My colleague Toby Glick helps students who are underperforming (because or not because of a special need) do better in school.  Toby just received this email today from a recent client (with identifying details removed):

Dear Toby,

Last Spring you met my son and recommended <prestigious special needs school>. I wanted to tell you that my son was accepted at the school and we moved in July so that we could be closer to the school. The second week of 6th grade at his new school, <son> told his psychologist that out of a scale of 1-10, he rated his new school "between 10 and 11." This past fall, he was awarded "Student of the Month" and was showcased in the school's newsletter. He just got on Honor Roll for the first time.

I can't thank you enough for recommending <school> for my son. If it wasn't for you, I never would have heard of it. Thank you a million times, Toby!

Sincerely, <mom's name>

To help your underperforming child find the right school and special support, call Toby now at 646-300-1881 or contact her at toby(at)parentconfidante.com  Toby's 2012 schedule is filling now.

What New York City and Westchester Private Schools Don't Tell You: 5 Admissions Secrets

1.  Your child should prep for the ERB.   

Whether it's the ERB (also called the ECAA or WPPSI) for kindergarten, prekindergarten, or 1st grade, the ERB (also called the ECAA or WISC) for 2nd through 4th grade, or the ERB (also called the ISEE, the SSAT is another option) for 5th grade and up, test scores matter in private school admission and prepped kids do better.

2.  Nobody can tell that your child prepped for the ERB.

Word on the street is that private schools will suss out that your young child has prepped.  Then, to punish you, they'll ban your child from admission.  In practice, now that the Educational Records Bureau itself releases ERB prep materials and many nursery schools prep or recommend prep tutors, prepping is everywhere.

3. If you're not a fluent writer, you can get secret help with your private school application essays.

Strongly written private school application essays that showcase your child's unique strengths and accomplishments matter.  You can get expert help, and nobody will know.

The good news is that not everybody devotes their career to reviewing private school admissions essays.  If they did, nobody would be a cancer researcher, philanthropist, professor, or sit-com actress, like some of my recent clients. 

4.  You and your middle school and high school applicant child will be under the spotlight at your parent and child interviews. 

Luckily, you can practice in advance with me so you're polished and ready for your big day, when it counts.

5.  Your child is good enough and smart enough, and private schools admissions decisions, especially at age 4, are largely a load of nonsense.

While we'd all like to think we're living in a meritocracy, the fact is that private schools put a huge amount of emphasis on a broad range of factors.  My job as a school advisor is to tip you off as to what these factors are, and how you can best play them.

I am starting to fill my 2012-2013 schedule.  Call now:  212-712-2228 or email eglickman(at)abacusguide.com  Please book early--in 2011 as well as previous years Private School Admissions Support closed out and I had to turn parents away.

One Parent Wants One Educational Consultant For His Second Child

This family's child attends one of the most competitive private schools in New York City.

<School Name> is exactly  what we were looking for.  <My wife> and I keep telling each other that we spent our money very well in you.  <Our child> loves the school and they are giving him a lot of challenging assignments that we feel are a great way to develop him into a responsible and hard working person.

As you know, I have a 4 year old child.  <My wife> and I keep wondering if you offer a special package for parents who already worked with you.

Yes, I do offer reduced rates when I work with former clients' younger siblings.

 

NYC Private Schools: What is a Private School Thank You Letter? An I Love You Letter? A First Choice Letter?

NYC Private Schools Lingo:

• A Thank You Letter thanks private school admissions staff.
• An I Love You Letter explains how much you love the school.
• A First Choice Letter says your child will definitely go if admitted.

Should you send these letters?  When should you send them?  How many should you send?

These are the kinds of questions I discuss and strategize about with my Abacus Guide Private School Admissions Support clients. 

Manhattan Families Applying to Westchester and New Jersey Private Schools

For many years, some Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey families have opted for New York City private schools.  Now Winnie Hu of The New York Times breaks the news that the phenomena goes both ways: Private Schools in Suburbs Tap Manhattan Market.  Suburban private schools like Hackley, Dwight-Englewood, and the newly expanding Mohawk are offering school buses to ferry despairing Manhattan students to fairer suburban climes.

I said,

“It has always been difficult getting into kindergarten, but what’s changed is the amount of hassle,” said Emily Glickman, the president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting. “Now test prep is de rigueur, and you’re applying to more schools.

“You don’t even have your neighborhood school as a backup because of waiting lists.”

Hu explains some of the perceived advantages of suburban private schools, like more space and less tension.  Mohawk's deluxe playhouse set and Dwight-Englewood's wild turkeys are added attractions.

Expect more Manhattan families to be adding these three schools to their application lists.