Greetings from the Valley,
The promises of a new school year are upon us, and the activity on campus is really picking up steam. The faculty has been back and readying the campus and the excitement for getting back to it is building. Now that we are approaching the advent of autumn, we understandably feel the crisp coolness of the morning in a way that helps us mark forward progress. As students are beginning to turn toward their endeavors, so too, must we engage in the school search process together, in earnest. Please take a moment to review the Class of 2024 Placement Timetable.
Let’s keep in contact. There is much misinformation, myth and misperception along with many complexities of the placement process, both new and old, that we can help you navigate. We stand by to serve and assist in any way we can.
Regards,
Clayton
Director of Secondary School Counseling
Secondary School Interview Appointments
We have heard from a few of you with a preliminary plan for the school search and have reviewed your lists. As we have reported in past Newsletters, there will be a traditional Senior Week (October 16 - 21). If you have not yet done so, now is the time to make interview appointments. For the least impact to your student’s academic and athletic life, it will be best to schedule the bulk of your interviews and tours for the week of October 16. If at all possible, please keep the following athletic contests in mind as your child will have obligations to their team:
Friday, October 13
Varsity Football Home vs. Avon Old Farms at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 14 – Upper School Parents’ Day
Girls Varsity Soccer Home vs. Choate at 2:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Soccer Home vs. Indian Mountain at 2:30 p.m.
Varsity Field Hockey Home vs. Canterbury at 2:30 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball Home vs. Taft at 2:30 p.m.
Varsity Cross Country Home vs. Indian Mountain at 2:30 p.m.
By and large, schools offer in person tours and interviews. There are a few that have a mix of both. Knowing how each school is approaching their interview and visitation process is essential. Though I am sure if they have to pivot and you are scheduled for a tour and interview, they will inform you of any change. We understand that there may be a few Seniors on campus during this week, and we are in the process of formulating plans to keep them busy as well as available for any virtual appointments. If your Senior needs to remain on campus for Senior Week, please schedule virtual interviews and tours during that week. I will want to help facilitate a quiet place for these interviews in our offices. That being said, keep in mind that there is no substitute for being on a campus and for you and your student to get a feel for the place. I ask that Julie and I be kept up to date as your schedule begins to take shape. Families are asked to email Julie at jfred@chalakseir.com, their final interview schedule (in person and virtual) and include interview dates, times and schools. This is important for our work and also for attendance purposes.
How to Make Your Secondary School Visit and Interview Successful This Link contains valuable information for both you and your child. Please be sure to review this document in preparation for meetings, even if virtual, with admission offices.
Some of you are working with a different calendar and that is absolutely appropriate. Let’s just keep the information flowing. If your child is a NEW VIIth Former, be patient. There is plenty of time. Before the bulk of the interviewing, I will conduct interview workshops for the students to help prepare them for the process, which is, indeed, evaluated. This will be done during our time together in our 4S Class this fall.
Thank you notes!
As we have and will continue to discuss, handwritten “thank you” notes to interviewers and tour guides (if you had one) are a must. We will be working on developing the notes following the bulk of interviews. Be sure your child retains all names of interviewers and tour guides. The timing of these notes is deliberate for maximum impact. If your child needs notecards and/or stamps, we have those available in our office.
SSAT Standard Registration for VIIth Form Students.
All VII Form students will be registered by our Secondary School Counseling Office for the November 11 SSAT test here at Rumsey. Please do not register your child separately. You will receive an email from SSAT notifying you of the registration. Additionally, your child’s account at Rumsey will be billed after the November testing.
SSAT At Home Tests
Domestic students who are wanting an additional SSAT testing opportunity may do so this fall.
Home tests cannot be taken here on campus.
SSAT Scores and Designating an SSAT Score Advisor
If your child has taken the SSAT over the last several months, or if you will be registering for a test this fall, please be sure to designate Rumsey Hall as your Score Advisor as requested in last month’s Newsletter. You can add a Score Advisor during or after registration for a test.
Secondary School Admission Offices
On an ongoing basis this fall, admissions representatives will visit our Seniors during the academic day. While of course, the purpose of their visits is to create interest in their schools, I also ask that they cover the admission process, start to finish, outlining process, helpful hints and, especially, dispelling myths. As of today, we have 44 schools on our calendar!
Admission Events
It is likely that you and your student will receive invitations to admissions events at secondary schools. Virtual open houses, athletic and artistic events are created with the prospective family in mind. If you have an appointment for a tour and interview scheduled, do NOT feel you must attend open houses. There should be no need to feel that you must accumulate facetime and demonstrate interest at this point.
Character Skills Snapshot - something to complete later on in the application process!!
This 20-30 minute online assessment was created by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), provider of the SSAT admission exam. It can be used by admission officers to gain additional information across seven character traits. It is recommended for many schools and required by only a few. We strongly suggest that students take the CSS later on in the application process, but before the application deadlines. Once your child is registered for the SSAT, access to the CSS will be available in your child’s portal. More information on this assessment will be forthcoming, and it is not actionable now, but it is coming.
Effort and Achievement Grades
Effort and Achievement grades will be available for viewing in your Blue Dog Portal on September 27. As always, we will review your child’s progress toward the school search process.
TO DO LIST:
- Schedule interviews at secondary schools ideally during the week of October 16 keeping in mind your child’s athletic game commitments to their team on October 14. When choosing other dates and times, be mindful of your child’s academic and programming commitments. Send Julie Fredlund your child’s final interview schedule.
-
Read How to Make Your Secondary School Visit and Interview Successful
- Designate Rumsey Hall as your child’s SSAT Score Advisor.
- Go to ssat.org and renew your account information for this school year, etc. Renewing Account Information
NOT TO DO LIST:
- DO NOT yet have your child attempt the Character Skills Snapshot (CSS)
-
DO NOT initiate the application process through the Standard Application Online (SAO), or Gateway to Prep Schools at this time.
