Throughout the years, the application process to be accepted into Benilde-St. Margaret’s has changed. The most drastic changes happened after COVID-19 when it was more difficult to get to know the students applying.
Applicants have to fill out a form, which includes information about everything from biographical data to past grade reports. The requirements have been consistent throughout the years until the admissions team needed to pivot due to COVID-19. Since then, an additional “candidate video statement” has been added, in which applicants have to record a video of themselves explaining why they want to attend BSM. “We felt that we were missing the opportunity to distinguish paper applicants versus person applicants. So that’s why we wanted to add the candidate video statement to see the candidate in person on video,” Director of Senior High Admissions Betsy Van Cleve said.
We felt that we were missing the opportunity to distinguish paper applicants versus person applicants. So that’s why we wanted to add the candidate video statement to see the candidate in person on video.”
— Betsy Van Cleve
Another change the admissions team made to the process was asking the potential students to have one of their current teachers fill out a form reflecting on the student. “It’s sent to teachers to have them fill out some ratings, and then it gives us insight that they may think is important [when we’re reviewing candidates],” Van Cleve said.
The final step for candidates is to take an entrance exam so they can be put in the right classes at BSM. Sixth and seventh graders applying to BSM’s junior high take a specialized exam, which is written partly by Junior High Principal Rikki Mortl. Students in eighth grade and above take the PreACT; this is another thing that has stayed the same while other parts of the admissions process have changed.
Sixth grader Clare Feller, who currently attends Good Shepherd School, recently went through this application process because she will be attending BSM Junior High next year. She had to write an essay explaining why she wanted to attend BSM before taking the entrance exam. “There were lots of time slots and a few different dates for the test. And then the essay was explained well. I’d say it was pretty easy. They gave you a lot of time to do it,” Feller said.
Feller found the admissions process fair and relatively simple to complete. The only thing she found peculiar was the video she had to make. “I thought that the video was a little unnecessary. One thing I had to answer was one of my favorite teachers at my old school and I don’t know why they needed that. I said some of the same things in the paragraph I wrote, so it just seemed irrelevant,” Feller said.
Overall, the changes to the BSM admissions process were to benefit the community and to get a better look at the students applying. “I think as we look at the future of the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community, we want to make sure those candidates are the right candidates,” Van Cleve said.