How to Win a Spot in a Posh...
By Paul Bibeau
April 2008
Kindergarten
Children who play with blocks and puzzles tend to do better on the performance portion of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test. Also, when you're in the interviews, never say how much you make. Be subtle: List your profession and have your friend write a letter that says how generous you've been to his charity. It's all about innuendo.
- Emily Glickman, president, Abacus Guide Educational Counseling
Prep School
About 99 percent of applicants can pass our courses. When we say no, it's just that some other kid brings those qualities colleges are looking for: a good orchestra, a good band, a good football team. It's a mistake to solicit friends connected to the school to write in, "I've never met Paul but I know his parents..." That parent will be hard to deal with later.
- Tom Southworth, director of admissions, Loomis Chaffee School
College
Candidates feel they should be involved in a lot of different things to be well-rounded, but it's better to do a lot of work in one area you're passionate about. Joining clubs to put them on an application may have worked in the 1980s, but not anymore. On recommendations, don't go for quantity. Teachers in a student's chosen field are perfect.
- Michael London, president and CEO of College Coach
Nursing Home
The top priority in selection is your medical condition, but your ability to pay is a major factor. There will be significant co-payments should you or a loved one become chronically ill. Your best plan is long-term-care insurance, which will pay for years in a nursing home and make you more desirable than even somebody with money in the bank.
- Bernard A. Krooks, Esp., a 23-year advocate for elderly patient rights
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