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.

It has been a beautiful few days on the west coast of Canada, especially after an unusually tough winter. Spring is approaching while the snow is still glistening on the mountains, and independent schools are making their final outreach to families to ensure full enrollments in September.

Similar outreach is happening by me. Over the past few months I have visited six of the twenty-seven Canadian boarding schools, and met with their directors, while communicating with many of the others – in some cases reconnecting with old colleagues and friends in the admissions world.

Thirteen Canadian boarding schools had representatives in Ukraine last week. We all have to be out there to attract talented students! It was illuminating visiting with two admission directors in Victoria yesterday hearing of their positive experiences on this trip, and of the latest admission trends.

Last week I visited parents wanting help with their son’s application to a leading Vancouver school. While in the city I also met with a representative from a global law firm to explore links for assisting their clients with boarding school advice.

Finally, in Vancouver I toured a tutoring and placement organization run by two young entrepreneurs who are both independent school and Ivy League graduates: www.keyadmissions.com 

They help young children develop their skill set to achieve success in their applications to the highly (some would say insanely) competitive Vancouver day schools. This is a great service for young families, and they have asked me to make a presentation on the North American boarding school landscape, in order to broaden cultural and educational horizons for their client families.

Upon my return to Vancouver Island – it was a beautiful ferry crossing as you can see - the local newspaper in Victoria had advertisements for independent school Open Houses and Information Sessions. There are some innovative approaches being taken by island boarding/day schools: from family boarding to national scholarships to bus services from a fast growing suburban centre.

It’s that time of year. Students have to be sought and attracted. And marketing works!

Here is a link to the CAIS website outlining the Canadian boarding school options: www.boardingschools.ca.

Check them out – and then contact me with your thoughts and questions if you wish to apply to Canada. It’s a great time to be Canadian! Except if Canadians want to vacation in the US – a poor exchange rate for us. For our American friends south of the border, you get a 25% discount on boarding tuition due to the exchange rate! But most importantly, the Canadian schools are terrific.