Application Process

Most schools will meet with parent(s) and children at some point during the admission process. Make sure you know what to expect prior to these experiences, especially for young children, so that you will be able to tell your child about the process. Child visits might be in a small group or one-on-one with an admissions officer. Some schools require children to separate from their parents, while some do not. Students applying to older grades are often asked to visit with the current class during the school day.

Separation is often required, if your child does not want you to leave, do not be distressed; admissions officers are sensitive to this and will provide guidance. You might be invited to come along, or you might be asked to bring the child back another time. If you are asked to accompany your child, remember that your child is the applicant and you are there as support. Children usually enjoy their visits, and even though some are hesitant or shy, most respond in an age-appropriate manner.

Covid-19 has made it difficult for schools to maintain their typical in-person, interactive approach with applicant families. However, most schools have redesigned their admissions processes to include some form of digital interfacing to enable families to continue to connect with schools, in a safe way. 

If you have scheduled online interviews for yourself and/or your child here are some tips to help you feel more prepared:

 

Ahead of the Meeting

• • Make sure to choose a comfortable place from where you can conduct the online meeting, from your computer or phone. 

  • Check that the lighting is sufficient - test how it looks in advance. 

  • Make sure you have some water with you for yourself, and your child.

  • Make sure you are wearing comfortable, but appropriate clothing for the meeting. Even though many of us are in our homes, everyone should be dressed as if we were meeting in person. 

  • Prepare a list of questions that you want to ask so you can easily refer to it. 

  • Keep a notebook and writing utensil with you to take notes, if you like to do so.

  • Discuss with your child in advance what will happen and what to expect, and even practice with a friend or relative online to help get them more comfortable. 

  • Use the bathroom prior to the meeting and try and remove any distractions ahead of time, if possible.

  • Set an alarm 5 minutes before your meeting time, to help make sure you won’t be late, being early or on time can give you and your child more time to acclimate and settle in. 

 

During the Meeting 

• • Turn off the view of your screen, if it makes you or your child anxious or distracted to see yourselves while on the video call. Make sure you can see the person you are speaking to.

  • Make sure that your eye-line is about 1.5-2 inches from the top of the screen so you are well situated within the frame. 

  • Maintain eye-contact as long as you and your child are comfortable doing so.

  • Be sure to ask any questions that you feel were not addressed in the conversation before you end the call.

  • Encourage children to speak for themselves, unless they are unable to do so. 

  • If something goes wrong with the technology, don’t panic. Try and walk through whatever steps are needed to solve the problem, and if you can’t you can always try again. 

 

After the meeting 

• • Take some time to process if you can. 

  • Check in with your child about how they are feeling, and what they might be thinking.

  • Review your notes and check in with yourself, make any additional notes that you might want to write down. 

  • Feel free to send a follow up email with any further questions, or to say thank you, as a way to complete the communication circle with a school. 

 

These are just some tips to help you and your child feel more prepared for your online interactions with schools during the application process. 

An official transcript (or its equivalent) is an important part of an admissions file. This includes a confidential school report form from the current school. ISAAGNY schools share the same form for various age levels, including students applying to 3-year-old groups through the eighth grade. Sending schools should be able to fill in one form and mail it to multiple schools. A school will not formally enroll a student without first receiving an official transcript or report from the student’s present school.

Formal expression of "First Choice" shall not be solicited by either sending or receiving Member Schools. Member Schools shall not ask sending schools whether they are an applicant family's "First Choice" nor request a "First Choice letter," but may inquire whether they are one of the family's top three choices.

If schools do not request references, it is not necessary to send them.

ISAAGNY schools are non-profit organizations, with a few exceptions; in almost every case, tuition fees cover a significant portion of the school’s budget, while fundraising and other sources of revenue cover the balance. Tuition and fees vary greatly. In comparing costs, you should consider such things as the length of the program, whether lunch and/or books are included, and whether there are additional fees or other financial expectations.

You may request financial aid information from the schools to which you apply. Many schools subscribe to an outside service which analyzes your responses by computer and reports them back to member schools such as SSS, FACTS, or TADS. Reports can be generated for multiple schools, which may simplify your paperwork. Many schools also require copies of your most recent tax forms. Be sure to check on individual schools’ requirements and due dates for this information in order to be given full consideration for financial aid. Financial aid decisions are usually made during or soon after the admissions notification period.

For more information about Financial Aid, visit our 'Affording Independent School' page.