There was a time, not long ago, when information was hard to come by. But now, we live in the information age and have information overload about just about everything. For example, if you wanted information about your child’s admission to a private school, you would have one hundred and one opinions on this topic alone. To separate fact from fiction, you would need the expert advice of a qualified professional. This article dispels the main myths about admitting children to a private school.

Myth #1 – I can’t afford a private school. it is extremely expensive

In fact, it is true that a private education from kindergarten to grade 12 requires a large financial investment. But most parents mistakenly assume that they would have to bear the entire financial burden themselves. In reality, there is need-based financial aid available to many families. Schools also provide loan options, easy payment plans, and sliding scales so parents can easily pay for their children’s private education.

Myth #2: Only the wealthy and elite admit their children to private schools. I want my child to be exposed to a broader cross-section of society

Private schools have begun to understand the value of diversity. Many schools now have children of different races, cultures, religious beliefs, socioeconomic classes, and family backgrounds. Although a small minority of schools still maintain their exclusive status, most private schools encourage people from different backgrounds to admit their children to their institutions. If parents seek expert guidance, they may be able to locate the right school with the right mix of demographic diversity.

Myth #3: I will apply to 25 or more schools to increase my chances of being admitted

Admission to most private schools is a time-consuming and intensive exercise, involving an open house, a tour of the institution, an interview with the parents, and finally an interview with the child. Repeating this process for 25 or more schools can be nearly impossible. Instead of getting distracted by many schools, parents can choose 8-12 schools that meet their criteria and apply only to them. Focusing your attention on a limited number of schools can greatly increase your chances of gaining admission for your children.

Myth #4 – I want my child to attend only “Top-Rate Schools”

Thousands of parents apply to top private schools such as Trinity, Dalton, Collegiate, Spence and Brearley. While these schools provide high-quality education, there are other lesser-known schools that also provide an equally high level of education for children. Gaining admission to these lesser-known institutions can often be a bit easier, too. Instead of going by what their neighbors or colleagues at work say, parents can seek admission to many good but less popular institutions and still have their children receive a quality education.

Myth #5 – I can use my friend’s influence to get my child admitted

Parents may know someone who claims to have a lot of influence in a particular private institution. They may be tempted to get their child admitted to the institution based on her influence or recommendation. However, the process can fail if the person making the recommendation is not actually in the good books of the institution. Parents would be better off admitting their child based on her own merit rather than relying on someone else’s credentials.

Myth #6: My child’s high test scores guarantee admission to a private school

While private schools emphasize good grades, it’s just one of the criteria they use to select a candidate. Schools also apply various other criteria to choose a child for admission. Family history, financial capacity of the parents, the performance of the child in the interview and many other factors can influence the selection process. Paying attention to all these factors would increase the chances of being admitted to a private institution.

Myth #7 – The Director of Admissions is the only authority to provide the admission of the child

Although the Director of Admissions is the key person involved in choosing a candidate, it is often not possible for a single person to personally interview each family seeking admission. Admission season typically begins the day after Labor Day and runs through the end of January. A private school may have to process numerous applications and interview a hundred families or more during this period. Handling a dozen interviews a day can be difficult for the Director of Admissions alone, since he might also be handling other responsibilities associated with her job. In many schools, the Director of Admissions has a team of staff members who support them in the decision-making process. Each individual staff member that parents meet during their visit to the school can be part of the decision-making team. Therefore, it is very important that parents treat everyone, from the receptionist to the school security guard, in a polite and courteous manner.

Myth #8: The essay portion of the application is optional and can be skipped

Most parents would have lost touch with essay writing. Having to write a lengthy essay on why you feel your child is the right fit for the school could be a cumbersome process for many parents. Some of them might be tempted to skip the essay entirely, since the application form says it’s optional. But the truth of the matter is that a well-written essay could be one of the deciding factors in influencing the school in your child’s admission. Parents can capture the attention of the admission authorities and make them interested in their child by writing a good essay that expresses their aspirations for their child’s future and how school can be the best way to achieve that goal. As long as the essay projects a truthful representation of the family and its interests, it can greatly influence the admissions decision in your favor.

Myth #9 – We should not apply to private schools that are very selective with their candidates

It is true that some schools are very selective in the children they choose for their institution. But it is also true that most are looking for students from different cultural backgrounds who can bring diversity to their school. Each child has the same probability that all other children fill in this space. Therefore, parents must be willing to apply even to private schools that are more selective in their admissions process. In fact, they might be the ones the school is specifically looking for.

Parents should not let these myths stop them from securing their child’s admission to a good private school. Getting the right information can greatly increase your chances of getting your child admitted to one of the best private schools in the region.