Getting into Private School

You applied to several schools. But your first choice didn't accept you. Instead, it waitlisted you. What exactly does this mean? And why do schools waitlist applicants? What do you do now?

What does waitlisting mean?

Schools typically offer places to more applicants than they have places for on the theory and experience that they will receive enough acceptances to fill all their seats. Calculating the actual yield from the acceptances which they have sent out is something that experienced admissions officers know how to do almost instinctively. For example, let's say the school has places for 100 students. It could send acceptance letters to 100 applicants. But what happens if only 75 of those families accept the places which have been offered? Having 25 empty seats will wreak havoc with any private school's finances.

That's where the waitlisting comes in. The admissions officers know that if they offer a certain number of applicants over the actual number of places that they have available, that they will receive the necessary yield of acceptances. For example, using our hypothetical 100 places available, the admissions office sends out 125 acceptance letters. The admissions staff know that historically they will receive 90-100 acceptances when they send out 125 acceptance letters. But what if circumstances conspire to produce the number on the low end of the yield scale? Say they only receive 90 acceptances? That's where the waitlist comes into play. The school will send out 125 acceptances. It will make up

You thought everything was set. The test scores were excellent. She had glowing teacher recommendations. The visit and the interview went well. But the school didn't accept your child. What do you do now?

A private school does not have to accept your child. Nor does it have to give you any reason why it has refused your child admission. How can this be? Indeed, there must be some federal or state laws that govern the situation. There is no legal recourse because private schools don't take public funding. They pride themselves on their independence. They admit who they choose for whatever reasons they decide are best.

Most of the time, parents find themselves in this frustrating situation because they think they can choose a private school for their child by themselves. Of course, technically, you can do it. You can also write your own will or buy a house without consulting an attorney. But would you? Should you? Do you trust your limited knowledge of private schools? That is why you need to hire a professional educational consultant. A consultant offers you a wealth of experience for a very modest fee. While she can't guarantee that your child will get into a particular private school, a consultant knows private schools. He understands the process and knows who to call and what questions to ask.

So unless your father endowed the school or was its first headmaster, don't take a chance. Seek and pay for the expert advice

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Many Roman Catholic high schools don't use the SSAT or ISEE admissions tests as part of their admissions requirements. For instance, Roman Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn administer the Test for Admission Into Catholic High Schools or TACHS.

The entrance examination used by a Catholic high school often depends on its location and the admissions system established by the diocese or individual school. Parents applying for the 2026-27 admissions cycle should check the requirements of each school carefully, including registration dates, application deadlines, and testing procedures. Private School Review's Admissions 101 provides an overview of the private school admissions process and the steps families should expect.

Elsewhere in the country, you will find the Cooperative Admissions Examination Program (COOP) or the High School Placement Test (HSPT). What the admissions staff are looking for is readiness for high school-level academic work. The tests are generally given in the late fall of grade 8.

Although entrance tests vary, they commonly assess skills students have developed throughout elementary and middle school. Families should confirm which examination is required before beginning test preparation because a school may use a particular test as part of a larger regional or diocesan admissions process.

Parents can also review A Parent's Guide to Private School Entrance Exams for additional information about admissions testing. Becoming familiar with the

Many people find the admissions process to private schools intimidating, confusing, complicated and, perhaps, a tad invasive. "Why do they have to know so much about me?" is the question that keeps popping up as you peruse all those admissions materials.

The truth is that admission is more than test scores and a strong transcript. The school wants to get to know you as much as possible. Who are you? What subjects do you like? What sports do you enjoy? What is your favorite pastime? Behind all those recommendations and transcripts is a real person with dreams, aspirations, and hopes. A private school wants to encourage you and help you be all you can be.

As families navigate the admissions process in 2026, many schools continue to use a holistic approach that considers academics alongside character, interests, leadership potential, and community involvement. Your application is your opportunity to show the admissions committee the complete picture of who you are.

The other thing that the admissions staff looks for is the fit. Are you a good fit for their school? Can you do the academic work? Will you be a congenial member of the school community? Yes, those are the same questions that you and your parents have been asking as you evaluate schools. Your admissions profile offers the school a fairly complete picture of you, your academic strengths and weaknesses, the sports you like, your hobbies, and so on.

While this video describes a college admissions profile, private

You have spent many hours selecting schools online. Some of the schools' websites were so good that you almost felt as though you had explored every corner of their campuses. You watched videos of classes, sports, and extracurricular activities. So, what more could you possibly need to know about the schools? After all, you have identified three or four to which you want to apply. That's the next step in the process, right? Not exactly. The next step is for you to visit those three or four schools on your shortlist. You really have to set foot on each campus. The schools will insist on meeting you and your child in person.

Here is an example of what I am talking about. This excellent video presents Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault, Minnesota, and its fine campus and programs in the best light possible. But you still need to visit the school and truly experience all it has to offer.

Visit schools on your shortlist

Don't skip visiting the schools on your shortlist. Why? Because you need to inspect the campuses yourself. It's like buying a house or renting an apartment. A website and a video will not show you what you really need to see. Professionally done photo galleries and videos are no substitute for experiencing the school. All of those videos and photos are produced and positioned to present the school precisely as