We’re heading into December, which means we’re reaching the end of the application cycle! Until now, you’ve focused on collecting and completing the main parts of your application: parent statements, interviews, recommendations, and so on. Now, it’s time to wrap everything up neatly. You want to give it your best effort until the end!
To head into January feeling confident about your family’s application, cross these to-dos off our application checklists for NYC private school admissions.
1. Create a final ranking for your NYC private school admissions choices.
If your family hasn’t already sat down together to reflect on your school options, now is the perfect time to do so. Have an open conversation and align on where you believe your child will truly thrive. Which school would you accept immediately if offered admission? Which schools would you be happy to send your child to, even if they fall into a second or third choice category? Establishing those priorities now will ensure you’re prepared with a thoughtful plan of action when admissions decisions arrive in February.
Many schools also host additional events throughout December and January. Take advantage of these opportunities to gather deeper insights and reinforce your ranked list with firsthand impressions.
If you are applying from a school with a Nursery Director or placement director, make sure to communicate your family’s rankings clearly. Their advocacy is an important asset when it comes to deciding your best-fit school.
2. Revise & Finalize Parent Statements and Students Essays.
It’s time to put the final touches on your parent statements. These should shine a light on your child’s unique personality and include meaningful anecdotes that paint a genuine, specific picture of who they are. Be sure to review our guide for crafting a strong parent statement to make sure yours strikes the right tone.
For families applying to NYC private middle and high schools, students should now be finalizing their student essays. These submissions need to reflect the student’s own voice and represent their strongest written work, so multiple drafts and careful revision are essential. In this final stage, take a moment to confirm that each essay directly addresses the prompt. Strong writing only matters if it stays on topic!
And parents, a gentle reminder: meticulously proofread every written component of the application for typos, grammar errors, and spelling mistakes. Even small oversights can create an unintended impression. Tools like Grammarly or the Hemingway app can help ensure your writing is polished, accurate, and reads smoothly.
3. Send Thank You Letters to Interviewers.
By this stage, all parent interviews and student interviews (or child playgroups, for nursery and kindergarten applicants) should be scheduled or completed. For older applicants, even if you or your child expressed thanks at the conclusion of the interview, we still recommend sending a written thank-you note afterward. While it may not change the overall admission outcome, it does reinforce a gracious and positive impression. Whether handwritten or sent by email is entirely your preference.
4. Create & Submit Supplemental Materials.
For middle and high school applicants, a strong application offers a well-rounded view of your child as both a student and a member of their school community. While the required materials often provide sufficient insight, students also have the option to include supplemental multimedia. These additions might include recent footage from a music recital, academic awards, or photos tied to a meaningful volunteer experience highlighted in their essay.
Be thoughtful when choosing what to share. Every supplemental piece should strengthen and support the narrative your child has already presented in their application. Avoid submitting materials that feel disconnected or irrelevant. The goal is to enhance your child’s story, not dilute it.
For kindergarten and elementary school applicants, supplemental materials provide more insight into who your child is as a learner. Schools often require these extra components, such as work samples or short video clips, as part of the application process so they can see your child in action. Be sure to review each school’s specific instructions carefully!
5. Review Each School’s Requirements Carefully.
Many NYC private schools share similar admissions requirements, such as transcripts and recommendations. However, some may ask for additional materials, including assessments, graded writing samples, or activity surveys. Now is the ideal time to carefully review each school’s specific requirements so you’re not surprised or rushed in the final stretch of the process.
6. Confirm All Materials Have Been Submitted.
Throughout the month, make it a habit to check your admissions portals to verify that the materials requested from external parties, such as recommendation letters, school reports, and transcripts, have been submitted and received. If any items are still outstanding by mid-month, proactively reach out to your current school or teachers to make sure they send those documents promptly.
For older applicants, this is also the time to submit your child’s strongest ISEE or SSAT score. If they’re taking the December test, review the score as soon as it is released and determine which set of scores to submit right away. Staying ahead of these steps will help you avoid any last-minute stress as the early January submission deadline approaches.
Now comes the hardest part: waiting. This stage can feel especially nerve-racking for parents, but if you’ve carefully reviewed your application, completed every step in the checklist above, and ensured that all materials have been submitted and received by each school, then you’ve done everything you can. At this point, it’s time to shift your focus back to daily life and enjoy the holiday season.
Once the application is in, take a moment to exhale. Your family accomplished a major milestone! Now we wait until February, when schools begin releasing admissions decisions. You can read more about what to expect when decisions are released here, but for now, celebrate the fact that the first phase of the NYC private school admissions journey is officially behind you.
Good luck!
