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Secondary education

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Original poster

Eton admissions

131 replies

FinneyBoy · 11/12/2016 03:52

Does anyone know when Eton will be advising on acceptance results for entry 2019?
I believe it's sometime in December.

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MuseumOfCurry · 14/12/2016 17:39

Good luck Finney.

leftandaright · 14/12/2016 19:08

My DS didn't get in. I take the view that this is because the school didn't see a good fit between it and DS so that's fine. They know what works for the school and my DS is. It it. We'd had reservations (and possibly preferred a different school, my DH definitely did) so I see this as Fate deciding for us Smile
i would think he made the grade academically (based on how he sits with his age group peers) but he had a poor interview (forgot to bring down his crib sheet from the preparation room so neglected to mention he plays for the county in two sports and that he boards - (and adores boarding).
So we will revert to the other school he is registered for which is about 3 hours closer drive to us so we can watch matches etc which was one of our huge reservations in the first place (too far from home) as it can render them without friends close to home if they are at school many counties away!
Good luck to everyone still waiting. Don't despair if you don't get in - we are so lucky that the Uk has countless amazing schools to choose from Xmas Smile

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 15/12/2016 00:16

Leftandaright - like you say there's plenty of good schools and getting into a particular school isn't the be all and end all. Good luck with the other school you're looking at.
On the selection process Eton say the 3 factors of interview, test and school report are equal in importance. The interview which my son told me was allocated 7 mins seems to be a significant part. I read an Eton admissions master say that if a boy makes him laugh he'd most likely get in.
I spoke to an admissions master on the visit and he told me 10 mins is more than enough to know. All very interesting but it does add a lot of subjectivity to the selection.

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leftandaright · 15/12/2016 08:04

I very much believe the school know what they are looking for so it's the right decision.
I think DS will be at home in a slighter less formal school. good luck to everyone else.

IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 13:11

We are still waiting for our letter and I fear it could be some time as I live on a little island in the Bahamas! No email, so I am fearing the worst.

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 15/12/2016 13:30

Hey Island, the admissions office told me if result not received by the 18th they can give the result over the phone.

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IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 13:36

So you're still waiting, too? Were you told overseas applicants would get an email if they were accepted? I was not told that.

IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 13:36

I'm not sure I want to hear by phone! LOL!

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 15/12/2016 13:44

Yes I asked last week if notification is by email or mail. They said for overseas applicants it's email if successful, mail if not.
So now I'm expecting rejection.

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IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 13:49

Waiting is the hardest part. If we don't get positive news, at least the wait will be over, then we can move forward with other plans!

MuseumOfCurry · 15/12/2016 16:45

I'm falling over with jealousy that you live on a tiny island in the Bahamas.

Are you sure your son will want to move to Windsor?

IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 17:19

Yes, it was really his idea! His grandfather and great-grandfather both attended Eton. I was against it, but it was my son who insisted. He loved it when we had our tour. I kept bringing up every negative thing I could think of and he was adamant. He's really ready for a bigger experience. He's a well-rounded boy and needs more challenges then he gets here. He does well academically (but our school here is small), he sails, plays football, is a long distance runner, swims, surfs. He'll try anything. He wants to summit Everest one day! Crazy kid! If it's not Eton, we'll be looking at other options. We've decided to move to the UK to be closer to him during the transition. My husband has dual citizenship (UK/USA) and we do have family there, so change will be good for us all!

MuseumOfCurry · 15/12/2016 17:30

Are you sure about that?

You're going to get seasonal affective disorder. Wink

Is anyone on the thread sitting for Winchester, by the way?

IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 17:42

I'm going to have to invest in a "Happy Light" 😂

IslandThyme · 15/12/2016 17:43

Winchester was mentioned to me the other day by a Mum who had 2 boys attend. I'm not ruling anything out at this point. I'm guessing I'm going to have to make another trip over . . .

MuseumOfCurry · 15/12/2016 18:14

Island you should phone up Winchester ASAP if you're interested.

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 16/12/2016 01:30

Island, my son's story has a little in common with yours. He's been the driver in the whole Eton application process. I thought after seeing Eton in person maybe he would have a lessening of excitement, however he became more enthusiastic. He enjoyed the interview. After visiting I felt it would be the right place for him. He has a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm and wants a more challenging environment.
So I'll be sad if as it appears he won't be accepted. But the state schools where I live are very good so he'll still be getting a great education.

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peteneras · 17/12/2016 08:54

"I was against it, but it was my son who insisted... I kept bringing up every negative thing I could think of and he was adamant."

Just curious why you are against it and trying your hardest to discourage your son, IslandThyme? Personally I don't think a scenario like this is a healthy approach for your son to attend Eton.

happygardening · 17/12/2016 09:13

I agree with pete (that's twice in a weekShock) I always say you have to believe in your school choice whatever it might be for two reasons; 1. It's inevitable that you'll DC will have a few ups and downs they may only be very minor but nearly all children do if you're not fully signed up to the schools ethos then your find it harder to support them and address the problems, 2. boarding is a big step for a child whatever they're age and although most trot off happily in my professional experience those who adjust the best are again those with parents who who are absolutely committed to the school that has been chosen.
I don't hide the fact that Eton was not for me or my DS it's ethos is not ours. I looked round it with 4 other families, 1 other felt as I did and their DS went to Harrow (again not a school for me), 1 was ambiviliant 2 liked it, we all saw something different. A parent at DS''s prep visited Winchester on the same day we did she didn't like it as "she couldn't see what she was buying into" her DS went to Eton and In sure was happy mine went to Winchester its ethos suited him and us and he was happy. There are loads of boarding schools out there, having enough money to pay their fees enables you to make the choice about what is right for your child and you.

IslandThyme · 17/12/2016 14:29

I've never really been against it, just not sure I was for it in the beginning. I brought up the difficulties of attending boarding school to my son to make sure he understood what he was getting in to. He has given plenty of very good reasons why he thinks boarding school is for him and after seeing his enthusiasm, My husband and I fully support him and think Eton would be a wonderful experience for him where he will mature and grow into a fine young man! Also, I learned a lot on our tour as well and felt far more comfortable than I thought I would.

peteneras · 17/12/2016 19:44

It's good to hear you're giving your son 100% support now, IslandThyme, which is important in order for him to thrive in Eton's fiercely competitive environment. Your unqualified support will make your son's experience in Eton a more positive and happier one and I can assure you when Eton finally returns your boy to you 5 years later, a fine young gentleman (one that you first handed over a giggling immature teenager), you'll be so glad that you'd made the right decision. Only problem now is to get that elusive offer from Eton on which I wish you good luck!

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 17/12/2016 19:53

Interesting comments happygardening regarding the different schools.
I wasn't serious about boarding for my son and only applied to Eton as he was keen but after having visited with my son and reading comments like yours it has piqued my interest in boarding schools more generally.
A little late now for my oldest I think but younger one is 8 and maybe I can properly prepare for him assuming he's interested.

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happygardening · 17/12/2016 20:50

Finney DS2 full boarded from yr 2, at various times in his school career he had the choice of going to a day school or a weekly boarding he choose to continue full boarding.
Until we went and looked round his boarding prep, boarding definitely wasn't on my radar, I have no regrets.
He never was "giggling immature teenager" he was a slightly reserved lone wolf who dislikes "competitive environments", he like Kipling's cat "walks by himself", Winchester allowed in fact positively encouraged him to be himself, and he whilst there he learned that it is ok to be yourself, so I delighted to say he left five years later with his innate personality little changed.

GuoguomaFD · 18/12/2016 08:51

We are located overseas and haven't got any letter/email yet. Is there anyone overseas who received an email, so far?

Original poster
FinneyBoy · 18/12/2016 14:21

No email or letter for me GuoguomaFD.
If a letter was mailed in the past week I expect I'll get it early this week.
Where are you located?

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