January 2, 2010
Almost there!
I have a few reminders for you before I sign off until March. First, priority lists are due today. It is important that you e-mail me not only an ordered list of your preferences but also some information regarding why you think the top schools are a great fit. This list needs to accurately reflect your wishes. Remember, the goal is to gain admission to a school that will be a good fit for each student. In the end, you only need one school. Though it is nice to think that multiple schools may want your daughter as a student, she can only attend one. And, it is difficult for me to do my job well without accurate information.
Next, remember that it is your responsibility to authorize SSAT to send scores to the high schools. If your daughter is taking the January test, be sure to send scores very soon after receiving the final set of results. Also, be sure that I get copies of all scores. Remember, it is fine to send high schools multiple sets of scores if they highlight different strengths. Feel free to talk this over with me.
We are almost at the end of this phase of the high school search process. Once you mail or deliver your independent school applications, due January 14, the majority of you will be done. For those applying to boarding schools, please remain attentive to those deadlines. Also be sure to stay on top of any pending financial assistance deadlines.
This week, Ms. Painitz and I begin processing and compiling the packets that will go to each high school. Letters of recommendation are printed individually on school letterhead, after having undergone a thorough editing and proofreading process. When we are done, I hand deliver the packets to Bay Area independent and parochial schools. Because this is such a big job, it often takes us two full weeks to complete the process, so I plan to deliver packets on January 19, if not sooner. Though this is after the deadline for applications, schools understand the extraordinary task at hand and expect our information the week after the 14th. If you get a note from a school saying that you are missing recommendations or transcripts, don’t panic, especially if it is during the week of the 19th. Chances are that the school has not yet filed the information. If you receive such notification the following week, follow up with me so that I can ensure that the school did indeed receive the information.
As a side note, when we do start laying out and collating all of the paperwork, the main door to our office area will be closed. Signs will go up asking people to knock and wait for someone to answer the door rather than just coming in, due to the confidential nature of transcripts and letters of recommendation. Please be respectful of this request if you do need to come up to see me during this time.
Bravo on a job well done! I am thrilled with how smooth this process has been and the great maturity the girls have shown. Now is the time to let go of the outcome and help your daughter refocus on eighth grade.
This will be the last letter I write until March 1. The letters of the first three weeks in March will give you detailed information regarding how the final stages of the process works once you receive news from the individual high schools.
Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Lisa
