Considering your school options for this fall?

If your school search includes New York City private schools, our checklist below will help you get a handle of deadlines and activities that make up a full admission season. We hope this seasonal guide will be helpful throughout your school search.

Checklist

WINTER (December - March)

If your child has been admitted through early notification, accept the admission and withdraw your applications at other schools to which you have applied.
You will receive a decision on the school’s specified date. The notification will specify a deadline for your response.
If you commit to a school you will receive a contract and you will need to make a deposit to secure your child’s place.
Read the contract thoroughly before signing, and note its terms.
Tell any other schools to which your child was accepted that your child will not be joining them in the fall. If you are accepting an offer, you should do so as quickly as possible and also contact schools whose offer of admission you are declining. This enables schools to offer spots to students who have been placed on a waitlist.

SUMMER (June - August)

Start working on your school list. It should be broad at this point, as you may narrow the list while you do your research. Don’t know where to start? Have a look at the following websites:

Independent Schools Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY)
Parents League Member Schools
Look at school websites. This will answer your questions about cost, the educational focus of the school, its size and what the facilities and student body are like.
Follow schools on social media to get a glimpse of what everyday life is like there for the students and faculty.
Be on the look out for spring tours and admissions events. Here’s a link to learn more about events at Browning.
Inquire about any early notification programs a school may have. Many schools only have these for siblings and legacies. If accepted under an early notification program, you are agreeing that your child will attend that school.

Check schools’ websites to see when they release links to their applications as this may vary slightly among schools. Most schools will have applications for the next school year available no later than right after Labor Day.

FALL (Late August - Early December)

Submit your applications. Aim for 5 to 8 completed applications. If you will need tuition assistance, you may want to apply to more schools as these offers can vary.

Review application requirements carefully and schedule appointments for interviews and tours.
Schedule any required entrance testing.
Begin working on supplementary materials such as parent statements or student essays (for older applicants). If your child already attends school, submit requests for transcripts and teacher recommendations to the registrar’s office.
If you are applying for tuition assistance, submit your application.
Attend admissions events or other events open to the public as they may help you gain a deeper understanding of each school’s culture of learning, mission, and values. Here’s a link to learn more about events at Browning.

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Planning An Effective School Search