ETon entry 2013

[Caterpill]

We are waiting for a promotion from the waiitng list for 2013, has anyone heard From Eton recently or been promoted ?

[BlissfullyIgnorant]

Have you done entrance exams yet? I thought wait list promotions only happened after that..?

[JoanByers]

I got the impression that you are supposed to keep in regular contact with the admissions tutor by email, phone.

They like pushy.

[Caterpill]

Have you got experience of the process of getting promoted from the waiiting list ? We don't want to irritate the Admissions Tutor!

[happygardening]

We attended a get your DS into Eton talk once done by the Etons admissions tutor. Rather irritatingly the whole thing was completely dominated by a father desperate to get his DS off the waiting list so endlessly interrogating the admission tutor so I feel I am an unintentional expert. Basically you and your prep school need to inform Eton of every success your DS has e.g. Captain of rugby tiddlywinks shooting general knowledge team anything. If he does something special e.g.reads at remembrance day service organises food parcels for local pensioners etc and other things also worth mentioning lead role in school play dorm captain prefect or even better head boy etc. Hopfully your prep will as well as keeping Eton informed of your DS's successes they should also ensure that your DS gets as many of these roles as possible. Ultimately not all get off it.

[Caterpill]

Did you attend the talk recently ? We are in quite regular contact with admissions and somismthe prep school ,may be we need to even more pushy?

[happygardening]

Fairly recently and have and have had a couple friends trying to do the same the same as you who seem to be following this route (some who've been successful) As I've said not all get off it. Having scratched around in the ever failing memory there were in fact two parents in this situation dominating the talk I went too, both desperate to get their DS's off the waiting list and both I suspect did the same thing one I know got offered a place I think the other one didn't. Stories of people being offered last minute places e.g. on virtually the day they are due to start abound and we actually know one family who this happened too.

[BlissfullyIgnorant]

Catpill, we weren't wait-listed so don't have the experience of that. We did, however, keep in touch with updates on achievements. DS did a short online course on astrophysics and produced a calendar, a copy of which he sent to the then head of science. Co-incidentally, the former head of science is now very involved in the admissions process/exams. I also sent copies of press reports and certificates, etc. and I urged other mothers at our prep school to do the same with their chosen senior schools. The worst thing they will do is bin it, but I think they were always interested as once or twice it came up in conversation.

[IndridCold]

My DS was promoted from the Wait list for 2012 entry.

Wehead been ringing Charles Milne about every 6 months to give him updates and to ask him whereabouts on the list DS was. He was always seemed quite happy to talk to us.

There was very little movement on the list at all (only 6 people had dropped out by this time last year when they would normally have expected 20-30). When we heard that DS had slipped from 16th to 20th we realised that other parents were doing things to improve their chance. We decided to become more proactive at that point. I'm happy to continue via PM if you want to know more.

The next big movement on the list will be early March, as parents have to settle on just one school at the end of Feb, after that promotion is becoming rarer - I.e no one failed CE last summer, which used to happen sometimes.

Do PM me if you would like more info, otherwise I wish you and your DS the very best luck.

[TotallyBS]

You should also phone the tutor at home. It shows that you are proactive and serious.

Just kiddin' :) The above "They like pushy" comment reminded me of a comedy program where two job applicants were waiting to be interviewed for the same job and one was tryingvto sabotage the others chances by telling him to show confidence by invading the interviewer's space and to issue firm orders to the secretary that will come to get them.

I'm not suggesting that is what is happening here because it is sound advice. After all, Eton aren't looking for passive types.

[TotallyBS]

You should also phone the tutor at home. It shows that you are proactive and serious.

Just kiddin' :) The above "They like pushy" comment reminded me of a comedy program where two job applicants were waiting to be interviewed for the same job and one was tryingvto sabotage the others chances by telling him to show confidence by invading the interviewer's space and to issue firm orders to the secretary that will come to get them.

I'm not suggesting that is what is happening here because it is sound advice. After all, Eton aren't looking for passive types.