Dallas Private School decisions

[MSC31]

I volunteer for admissions at our current school in another state and I can tell you that most private schools do not factor in financial aid when making their decisions. It is actually quite difficult to get financial aid.

Dallas schools seem to do a phenomenal job of offering aid and making sure that their schools are diverse.

It is always tough when your child doesn't get into a school that you as a parent feel is right for them. Maybe the school is not the best fit for your child and another environment would be best.

I can also attest that ISEE scores, wealth, family name and so on do not play a major role or my daughter would not have gotten accepted at the schools she did. These schools really work hard at looking at the big picture and want kids that will succeed in their academic environment.

[J800]

The parents' education level also seems to be a factor.

[MenardMQ]

As a parent with kids in top tier private schools, I'm going to jump in here and repeat something that I posted in the Houston forum (disclaimer, I'm in San Antonio).

I know it's been said a million times, but for these top private schools in Texas, gaining admission, especially in years that aren't typical entrance years (spaces available by attrition) you almost always will have the deck stacked against you.

These are always situations where you have far more applicants than spaces available, and no matter what anyone says, it boils down to the fact that there will always be someone with more connections, more wealth, more status, more more more that will have a greater chance of admission. If a child's parents are good friends with a father who has a classroom or building named after him, then you can bet a quick call to the admissions office (or office of advancement) will greatly increase the chances of admission. Multiply that times 5, and then add a fortune 100 CEO moving into town, and then add a couple truly gifted children with wealthy parents, and 1 or 2 kiddos from a disadvantaged background but gifted status or potential ... all applying for (or receiving) scholarships, and you've just easily exceeded available slots for a non-entrance year.

The simple reality is that these private schools can be as choosy as they want, and they don't follow any set criteria for admissions. It's all about raising the status of the school to create a self fulfilling prophecy of more this, more that, more status, more NMSFs etc.

I can sympathize with many of the folks who post and feel spiteful towards admissions decisions, because our family has experienced them ourselves. I think it is important to keep the above in mind and realize that for most families it comes down to their background coupled with sheer luck.