Over 200 applicants were told they had been accepted to the Mailman School of Public Health. It was the latest in a string of similar mistakes around the country.

Vice Dean for Education, Julie Kornfeld, says Columbia "deeply" apologizes. She says Columbia values applicants' "energy and enthusiasm" and regrets the "stress and confusion" the mistake caused. nytimes.com : Feb. 17th 2017.

In the independent school world the application numbers are not as high as for universities with a global brand, so we do not have to rely totally on computer systems to generate decisions made by staff. Boarding schools are able to value the human factor, and double (often triple) check decision letters before they are sent. Schools are reading applications and holding admissions committee meetings right now in early March.

Day schools in major cities often have a set decision day when everyone sends out their acceptances. Some schools even hand-deliver their decision letters – that’s customer service!

In New England, boarding schools have a tight decision day agreement. On March 10th acceptances go out and families have until April 10th to make their choice. They can revisit schools within that month, most have formal group revisit days, and then the child chooses. Often a secondary search is begun if families are still not happy with their options. This is a crucial time when an educational consultant can be of major assistance.

Canadian boarding schools operate on a Rolling Admissions basis, so acceptances can be secured earlier than in the US, which can be a great comfort to families.

After all this, there are still places available - albeit limited - at good schools in the spring. Boarding schools are competing for a limited pool so schools will still be looking around for that final good fit of student or two – even up to August, despite what admissions may tell you. Don't be put off. For the good kid, there is always a place. The “right school” can still be found. At J. & A. we can help families in a late search.

A status symbol for independent schools is to say they are full as early as possible in the cycle. However, just as a US President once mused “ it depends on what the meaning of is, is,” so when is “full really full “ for independent schools? Stay tuned for the answer to that one next time.