Many parents are eager to enroll their children in elite private schools to enhance their chances of gaining admission to top universities. For instance, schools like Trinity School in Manhattan, New York City, symbolize this aspiration. A recent study from 2023 revealed that the number of students from high-income families at Ivy League schools significantly outnumbers those from lower-income backgrounds, highlighting the intensifying competition for admission into prestigious institutions. In response, many parents are proactively seeking the guidance of admissions consultants to navigate private school opportunities for their children.
According to Newsweek, prominent private schools in New York City, such as Horace Mann, Trinity School, and Spence School, offer educational programs from kindergarten through 12th grade, with annual tuition fees exceeding $60,000. The demand from parents wishing to secure a place for their children in these elite institutions continues to grow.
Dana Haddad, an admissions consultant based in New York City, shared, “My job is to balance the expectations parents have with what is genuinely best for their children.” She underlines that parents often re-evaluate their preferred school choices after discussing their children’s strengths and weaknesses.
Once parents and children reach a consensus, Haddad creates a tailored list of schools for her clients. “Parents usually want their children to attend academically rigorous schools with plenty of extracurricular activities, but it’s essential to consider the child’s personality and individual needs,” she explained.
After extensive communication with her clients, Haddad selects suitable schools and guides them through the admission process. This includes preparing for entrance exams like the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), interview practice, and crafting compelling personal essays that showcase each child’s unique strengths, interests, and talents.
Haddad works with children ranging from kindergarten to high school students but emphasizes, “A well-rounded development is key. Test scores are only a small part of the equation. Elite schools also evaluate the student and parent interviews, teacher recommendations, and academic transcripts.”
Despite the growing competitiveness for spots in prestigious schools, Haddad acknowledges the challenges involved, saying, “It’s not always possible to get what you want, and parents quickly realize that their friends often become competitors.”
While her clientele primarily consists of affluent families, Haddad is also willing to offer discounts to those experiencing financial constraints. “I help them present their best selves and ensure they have the opportunity for admission,” she affirmed.
Statistics show that as of 2022, around 10% of school-aged children in the United States attend private schools. Among Yale’s 2024 graduates, 19% came from private school backgrounds, while nearly 40% of Harvard’s Class of 2025 graduated from private institutions. Dartmouth College is even seeing over 40% of its Class of 2026 comprising private school alumni.
