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Private School Admissions
Private school admissions is a very exciting journey for the whole family. It may seem rigorous and complex with all the application requirements, but with strategic planning, it can be a fun and enjoyable process.
Parents need to have active participation in the admissions process from start to finish by attending open houses, school tours, parent and family interviews, and other admissions events. Many schools also require parent essays and parent statements to be submitted.
Applicants have to be prepared to take admissions tests. Although most schools have adopted the test-optional policy, some still accept test scores should families choose to submit. This gives admissions officers a deeper understanding of the applicant’s academic readiness and determines if he/she is a good fit for the school.
The key to having impressive scores is to take SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT practice tests. Test prep gives a general overview of the content and presentation of the standardized tests. More importantly, admissions consultants teach test-taking skills, strategies, and techniques in navigating the tests. Having regular and consistent test prep sessions gives students the confidence to undertake the whole test-taking process.
Some schools have completely removed tests in their requirements and replaced them with Proctored Writing Sample. This is a timed essay writing activity that is done virtually. Proctored writing practice tests are very helpful in producing powerful and compelling essays which admissions officers will think highly of.
Test Preparation
We are the leading experts in test prep! Our time-tested effective strategy not only generates high scores but also builds the student’s character along the way. Our test prep program is a holistic process that not only focuses on the mastery of academic concepts and skills but also builds character and develops confidence.
We have developed our own curriculum for test prep which is also used by other international companies. Our academic consultants closely monitor and adapt to each student’s progress to strategically address strong and weak points.
We offer comprehensive test prep programs for SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. Remember that submitting test scores will add more value to your application despite the test-optional policy that most schools follow. Added to your GPA, academic standing, and subject grades, standardized test scores will give admissions officers an idea of your real scholastic aptitude.
Strategy Consulting
Whether applying to local schools, preparatory schools, or boarding schools, families that develop a cohesive and unique strategy set themselves apart from the other applicants. There is always something special in the way families live that admissions officers will find interesting. The challenge is in identifying what that is and being able to use it to their advantage.
At Cardinal Education, our private school admissions consultants are experts in building strategies because we understand the nuances that make applications stand out. We take the time to get to know your family in order to make appropriate recommendations.
We know how to shine a positive light on your student and the entire family.
Essay Assistance
Writing essays is both an art and a science, requiring both components to be successful. Just because an essay is well-written, does not mean it will resonate with admissions officers. It is important to understand what they are looking for. Each school has a different set of standards that they uphold hence, they look for particular skills and personality traits among the applicants that will be a good fit for them.
Our expert admissions consultants know what each school values and can offer expert guidance based on thousands of data points. It is a long and detailed process that begins with setting goals and brainstorming ideas to generate answers to essay prompts or topics for personal student statements. Once a draft has been made, we spend several sessions reviewing, revising, and editing the essay to minimize preventable mistakes and make sure that it brings out the best and what is special in you and your family.
Interview Preparation
The private school admissions interview gives admissions officers a chance to learn more about you beyond your grades and test scores. Without preparation, it can be a missed opportunity to let them see what makes you unique and special.
Our interview preparation program empowers you to overcome obstacles that may hinder you from having a successful interview. We understand how intimidating it is to stand in front of admissions officers so we aim to take away as much anxiety as possible by building communication skills to give you confidence and the ability to express yourself well. Mock interview sessions with our admissions consultants will equip you with the skills to handle different scenarios and teach you techniques on how to answer commonly asked questions.
Writing Program
For the past year, some schools have replaced standardized tests with the Proctored Writing Sample. This is an online writing session, done through Zoom, where students write essays on a specific topic. The activity is proctored by one of the admissions officers. A student applying to any of the Peninsula Schools—Castilleja, Crystal Springs Uplands, The Harker School, Menlo School, The Nueva School, Sacred Heart, Woodside Priory, and The Girls’ Middle School— need to submit only one common Proctored Writing Sample to multiple schools in the group.
Signing up for a Proctored Writing Sample Practice Test will familiarize you with the process and learn how to write powerful and compelling essays that will make you stand out and differentiate yourself from the other applicants.
Preparing early is best. If you are planning on transferring to a private school next fall, it is a bright idea to enroll in a writing program where you will be taught the basic writing mechanics and given several writing exercises to equip you with the necessary writing skills and the confidence to undergo the writing assessment.
What to do if Waitlisted for a Private School?
You’ve gone through the private school admissions process meticulously but have been waitlisted at your chosen private school. What should you do next? Don’t fret too much because it’s not the end of your journey. Being on a waitlist means that you met all the criteria but the school just does not have enough space to accommodate you. They put applicants on a waitlist and keep them on hold until they know that all the students they admitted would enroll. It is just a waiting game from here on. Or is it?
At Cardinal Education, we believe that there are smart ways to deal with being on a waitlist. Rather than just sitting around waiting for the decision to come in, you should get on your feet and pursue that much-anticipated decision. Our two decades of experience in private school admissions consulting have taught us that planning is the key to achieving success in your private school application. We have handled numerous waitlist situations over the years and we are proud to say that our students eventually got into the top private schools that are fit for them. Our educational consultants can help you plan and strategize your next steps if you’ve been put on the waitlist.
OUR OFFICES
BURLINGAME OFFICE
100 El Camino Real,
Suite 101
Burlingame, CA 94010
(888) 521-5243
info@cardinaleducation.com
WOODSIDE OFFICE
2920 Woodside Rd,
Suite D
Woodside, CA 94062
(888) 521-5243
info@cardinaleducation.com
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