Managing expectations....
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 12:54 pm
OK I need some advice from those experienced with getting offers from independent schools....we're talking Sixth Form here but 11+ experiences may also apply...
DD1 got an offer of a place at 3, one on Monday (her least favourite, but acceptable if the others were no), one on Tuesday (her first choice) and one on Wednesday (her second, but not very distant). A real thrill and achievement, and a great end to a gruelling two weeks of writing personal statements, interviews, entrance exams, auditions, mocks and a cold. I think she based the rank on her impression of the academic achievement in her subjects, she does not want to leave her existing social life but is very very bored at her current state school and is really definitely up for more challenge and stimulation at A level. So she didn't think much of the other students, probably a mixture of prejudice against fee-paying kids and anxiety that they were checking her out!
The spanner in the works is a very significant scholarship for the Wednesday one-obviously we are delighted and think that one is the one! trouble is she had already in 24 hours started to fondly imagine being at her first choice. There is a another factor at play that for the scholarship she has to get certain GCSE grades including a subject she wasn't expecting (but would love) to take at A level, and she is feeling insecure about that as she is currently predicted a B (please don't try to guess the schools on here, we are sworn to secrecy).
So, what to say without being too obvious? I've already said if she had got them in a different order, she would have felt differently. Also to think what we could do for her with the extra money to mitigate some of the things that she likes less about number 2. Dd2 pointed out that the scholarship award will look good on her CV as well.
She is prone to disagree with anything her wise old parents say, just for the sake of it (I hear the chorus, fellow parents of teens-"welcome to my world!")
My hands are shaking! Its a fortunate position to be in, I know!
DD1 got an offer of a place at 3, one on Monday (her least favourite, but acceptable if the others were no), one on Tuesday (her first choice) and one on Wednesday (her second, but not very distant). A real thrill and achievement, and a great end to a gruelling two weeks of writing personal statements, interviews, entrance exams, auditions, mocks and a cold. I think she based the rank on her impression of the academic achievement in her subjects, she does not want to leave her existing social life but is very very bored at her current state school and is really definitely up for more challenge and stimulation at A level. So she didn't think much of the other students, probably a mixture of prejudice against fee-paying kids and anxiety that they were checking her out!
The spanner in the works is a very significant scholarship for the Wednesday one-obviously we are delighted and think that one is the one! trouble is she had already in 24 hours started to fondly imagine being at her first choice. There is a another factor at play that for the scholarship she has to get certain GCSE grades including a subject she wasn't expecting (but would love) to take at A level, and she is feeling insecure about that as she is currently predicted a B (please don't try to guess the schools on here, we are sworn to secrecy).
So, what to say without being too obvious? I've already said if she had got them in a different order, she would have felt differently. Also to think what we could do for her with the extra money to mitigate some of the things that she likes less about number 2. Dd2 pointed out that the scholarship award will look good on her CV as well.
She is prone to disagree with anything her wise old parents say, just for the sake of it (I hear the chorus, fellow parents of teens-"welcome to my world!")
My hands are shaking! Its a fortunate position to be in, I know!