As we continue our search for outstanding students, I wanted to share with you some tips that will ensure a successful admission process.
1. Enthusiasm – When a student is sitting in front of me with a sense of apathy, there is no way I want them to be a part of “my” Darlington family. I never want a student who is apathetic toward the admission process. This is the foreshadowing of their future in terms of their investment into the Darlington experience and their educational process. We want students who are excited about the opportunities Darlington will provide them.
2. Early, Early, Early – The old adage “the early bird gets the worm” is true even in independent school admission. The earlier a student applies to an independent school the higher the priority that is given to that student (this is also to be said for financial aid applications – we need those in early as well!) We love it when a student applies early because that signals to us that he or she is serious about our school.
3. Empower – This is not easy to describe but I know every admission officer loves to see the student empowered to own their admission process. When I know that a student is the driving force behind the decision to apply at Darlington, I will make a note of this - especially when it comes down to two similar candidates for one spot or one scholarship. Be the driving force!
4. Evaluate yourself – Every day, I have the opportunity to speak with families about joining the Darlington family. I want to make sure is that each family has a realistic expectation. A student needs to take an introspective look to see if they are truly prepared for a Darlington experience. This goes far beyond just the student but also the families. We need each parent to make sure they are ready to trust us with the privilege of developing their child. Our goal is to make sure each family understands that their child is cared for and loved while being challenged to become greater.
5. Educate yourself – Before you come for a campus tour or interview, please research our school. There is nothing more impressive than a student who has done his or her homework and can recite our motto, mission statement, or a fact about the school. This is the place you will call home for the next four years, so please know more about the school than simply where it is located. We need to know you do your research on us because we will definitely do our homework before our admission decision.
This year is coming to a close quickly and we are busy with this admission season. We are enrolling students who are extremely motivated, passionate and honorable. We want to see each student succeed and become an active member of our community. If you think you have what it takes to become a Darlington Tiger, then please contact us.
