K-12 Admissions: How We've Changed Our Process in COVID
Happy October! With the official launch of Atlanta Independent School applications in Ravenna last week, we’re getting a lot of calls about how we’ve changed (read: pivoted) our consulting process in the wake of COVID-19. Of course, some things have changed and we’ve had to adapt in several ways we’re serving families safely (outlined below). But, what hasn’t changed is our high-touch support to students and families during what’s shaping up to be one of the most stressful admissions seasons of our generation.
What’s Changed in COVID-19:
Our Caseload
Because we want to serve families well, that means staying on top of school changes, news, and modifications in the application process. That said, we’ve made the decision to cap our client caseload this year in order to meet (and exceed) clients’ needs, questions, and concerns. This also gives us additional time to stay in close contact with admissions teams, virtually tour schools, and remain on the front lines of the 2021-2022 admissions process so we can effectively and accurately partner alongside our families.
Family Meetings:
Logistically, we’ve shifted some of our platforms to keep up with current safety precautions and demands. Since March 2020, we have now held all of our sessions through Zoom.
Student Evaluations:
Student evaluations and intake sessions are now held entirely via Zoom. Student observations in the classroom (a pivotal part of our intake process) are now held via Zoom or FaceTime, depending upon the flexibility of the current school administration.
Admissions Tours:
At the time of this post, most AAAIS-member schools are not allowing outside personnel to tour classrooms or observe students. This applies to our firm, as well. However, we pride ourselves in visiting each and every Metro Atlanta school (private and public) twice a year—Spring and Fall semesters. We believe this is essential to building relationships with admissions and teachers but also, we want an opportunity to highlight some oft the exciting changes happening in the schools! When COVID-19 hit and schools began closing their doors in early March, we were working our way through our school visit schedule for Spring Semester 2020. However, we had just visited schools in person, touring classrooms and observing new initiatives, and meeting with admissions committees in Fall Semester 2019.
What Hasn’t Changed in COVID-19
High-Touch Client Support
Just because we’ve shifted our platforms to Zoom and conference calls, our high-touch level of client support has not changed. When we partner with a family, we schedule weekly 90-minute parent sessions (of lower school applicants) to strategize about: Ravenna (setting up an account, previewing schools, exploring vs. applying etc., and staying organized), JATP (scheduling, registering, and delegating the critical cognitive test evaluation with a Metro Atlanta Psychologist), and scheduling virtual events, prepping for parent interviews and conversations, and guiding family statements and parent-driven application materials.
Unlimited Advocacy
Our package design has not changed. We do not believe in “nickel and diming” our clients in one of the most critical admissions seasons in the last few decades. As we have since the inception of WLG, we do not charge an hourly rate of client support. Rather, our clients have unlimited access to us to clarify questions, set up tours, prep for student evaluations, outline and edit family statements, review applications, etc—for an unlimited amount of schools they choose to apply for.
Still have questions? Contact us!