In many ways, applying to private school is more difficult than applying to college. Typically, there are more essays to answer, and more application platforms to use including Ravenna, Gateway to Prep Schools, and The Standard Application Online (SAO). In addition, some schools use their own application. In most cases parents must answer questions as well and their responses can be even more important than their students’ responses. Almost every private school requires or strongly encourages a personal visit and interview. Then, there are many considerations such as day student versus boarding student, school size and focus, grade range, matriculation record, testing requirements (ISEE, SSAT, HSPT, TOEFL, for example), and several others.
Avalon admission provides a true soup-to-nuts solution, with assistance across-the-board with everything from school list selection to interview prep and essay writing. We take all the guesswork out of applying to private schools and make the experience both holistic and enjoyable.
No one school is right for everyone. Each student and family must make its own choices based on their priorities, personal preferences, and family values. For example, a school with a religious leaning may not be right for everyone but might be perfect for others. Some students prefer a large school, while others prefer small schools. Some families prefer boarding schools while others prefer day schools. Some families prefer their students to be nearby, while others seek the best school regardless of location. Some students prefer schools in the country, while others prefer schools in the city. Some families prefer schools that are strict, that perhaps have a dress code, while others prefer schools that are more nurturing and less focused on discipline.
There are countless factors that go into making the right decision with respect to private schools. Before making a choice, we strongly suggest that families learn as much as possible about each private school to which they are applying. Rely less on reputation and more on observation. If your goal is to have your child attend a top college, be sure to research each school’s record of matriculation. If your goal is to give your child as many opportunities to explore his creativity as much as his academic curiosity, then be sure to choose a school that has the facilities to accommodate your child’s interest. At Avalon Admission, our expert private school admissions counselors are here to help you find the best fit private schools for your and your child’s unique needs and goals. Once we identify the right schools, we help you get in with our unequaled concierge-level service that make the entire process manageable and effective.
Interview Assistance
For admissions officers, most school students look alike on paper. Many private school applicants have similarly impressive academic achievements and extracurricular activities. They tend to have strong grades, strong standardized test scores and a good overall academic profile. So why do some of these candidates have an edge and receive an acceptance letter when others, who have the same qualifications, do not? The answer is four-fold: your transcript, your application, your references, and your interview. Both your applications and your interview breathe life into the admissions officer’s perception of who you are. The difference, however, is that the interview makes you real. While your essays provide insights, your interview turns you into a unique living, breathing individual. The application and transcript show whether you have the academic ability to succeed at a school; the interview helps schools gauge the non-academic, intangible strengths that can add to the fabric of their campus. In other words, the interview showcases your personality and interpersonal strengths, both of which are important to your academic success. However, every student is unique, and, therefore, the interview is a great way for private school candidates to differentiate themselves from others. Avalon Admission provides significant interview training based on years of success helping students get into top private schools.
Essay Assistance
Private school application essays are a critically important factor in the private school admission process. They are a vehicle for students to highlight their best qualities, accomplishments, and passions. Avalon Admission specializes in helping students construct essays that represent mature and admirable perspectives and thereby make them far more attractive candidates. Our familiarity with each school’s admissions characteristics allows students to pinpoint attributes most highly sought by the nation’s best private schools.
