Eleanor Munson, PhD

Dallas Educational Consultants

dallas private school rejection

Decision Day

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Eleanor Munson private schoolIt’s D-Day for many Dallas private schools; emails go out late this afternoon; letters are in the mail, etc.   I want to extend my very best wishes to everyone for an optimal outcome.

If you need help next week (choosing between schools, dealing with a wait-list situation, or regrouping from a negative outcome),  I will be available by email the first part of the week and in person or by phone the latter.   Contact me if you need assistance.

Good luck!

© Eleanor Munson, PhD. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, PhD is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, PhD with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Home Stretch…

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home stretchIf you’ve run into any Dallas-area parents applying their children to private school then you know what’s looming……private school acceptance and rejection letters go out this Friday.  The culmination of the lengthy application process revealed in a thick or thin envelope, or even possibly a phone call or email.

As you spend the next few days in limbo here are some things to consider.

If your child is accepted:

    • take a deep breath…and celebrate!
    • read the letter carefully and pay close attention to the date the contract & deposit are due
    • be sensitive to other families going through the same process – before you post the news on Facebook or put the school sticker on your car consider how you would feel if your child hadn’t received the same news

If you child is wait listed:

    • take a deep breath…and try to keep it together!
    • show your interest – call the school and let them know you are very interested and would like your child to attend
    • create a fallback plan – call or email me for help in coming up with alternatives

If you child is rejected:

      • take a deep breath…and don’t panic!
      • regroup & consider your other options – did your child get into any other schools?  Can he stay where he is?  Call or email me for help in creating a backup plan
      • be the bigger person – congratulate friends whose children did get in
      • see the bigger picture!  there’s no denying it, it’s heartbreaking right now – just remember that your child’s happiness and success in life does not depend on getting into one certain school – you can’t see it now, but it will all work out in the end

© Eleanor Munson, PhD. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, PhD is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, PhD with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Dealing with Private School Rejection: Do’s and Don’ts

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private school rejectionThis is the week that, with hands shaking, parents open the acceptance and rejection letters from private schools around town.  It’s tough to get past the feeling that it is a judgement of your child, and ultimately you as parents, but of course it isn’t.  And while rejection may feel like the end of the world….it isn’t that either.

Parents need to be aware that kids are highly sensitive to their parents’ moods and are listening even when they don’t seem to be.  So at this particularly sensitive time, I’ve put together a list of do’s and don’ts for dealing with private school rejection.

 Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Private School Rejection
  • Do take a moment to breathe if you open a rejection letter.  For the sake of your child, contain your emotion.
  • Do let your child express disappointment and upset.  Explain that lots of kids are rejected, and it’s not anything personal.  Reassure them that it’s the school’s loss.
  • Do express your disappointment for your child…not in your child.
  • Don’t blame your child.  Keep the rejection in perspective and know that your child will find happiness at the school you end up choosing.  Turn the situation into a learning experience…we all have disappointments in life.
  • Do be especially loving, accepting, and encouraging at this time.  Watch for signs that your child is upset as time passes and deal with this accordingly.
  • Don’t call the admissions office when you are angry.  Don’t complain or call expecting to talk them into accepting your child.  That won’t happen.
  • Do make an appointment for a visit with the admission counselor if your child didn’t get accepted.  Most schools are happy to provide parents with specific information as to why they didn’t accept your child.  Be polite and keep an open mind when listening to their feedback.  If they identify any “problem” areas, check with your child’s teacher and see if they concur.  If so, consider addressing the issue.

It’s never too early to start thinking about next year.  Consider working with an educational consultant, such as myself, to get help in coming up with a solid plan for the admissions process for the next year.  An educational consultant can work with you to develop a list of reach and safety schools.

© Eleanor Munson, PhD. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, PhD is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, PhD with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.