The best advice I can offer as you tackle the Parent Statements and Essay Questions asked of you in your child’s school applications is this: Be your best self and keep it real.

Schools are looking for authenticity. Keep this in mind as you write about your family and your child. Every school is looking for bright students who are enthusiastic about learning and who will complement the cohort they will potentially join. Every school is looking for parents who hold education in high esteem, respect educators, are grateful for the experiences they have had with schools thus far, and who are joiners and not dissenters.

Regardless of your child’s entry point – nursery through high school – schools want to know how you see yourself as a family, how you as parents see your child, and what your expectations are for your child.  Think of the Parent Essay or Statement that you write as your calling card to the various schools to which you’re applying. It’s an introduction that will, among other things, convey your values,  your hopes, and your dreams around your child’s education and future. It’s one piece of the Admissions Process that is in your control, which is why it is worthy of real time and thoughtful attention.

Students applying to Middle and Upper Day or Boarding Schools will also be asked to write application essays, and the same advice holds true for them in terms of presenting themselves in the best light possible, while also keeping it real. 

Another pointer is that the earlier you begin thinking about family values, your child’s identity, and your educational goals, the less arduous your task of actual essay writing becomes. Good luck!

And if you feel entirely bogged down by the process, remember we’re here to help! Schools rarely change their application essay questions from year to year, and if they do the changes tend to be minor. At Smart City Kids, we have designed a process that will guide you to think about your family, your student, and your goals in ways that address each school-specific essay you will encounter in the late summer or fall as you apply to the schools of your choice.