How to tell a school ...

that you wish to withdraw your child's application because you're choosing someone else. I wasn't impressed by the school, and have some concerns, but don't really want to discuss it with them. Is it simply ok to say we wish to withdraw the application as we have chosen another option and leave it at that? I think so but want to see what other people think. I don't plan to discuss the reasons for the decision with them.

Fine to do that. I'm sure that happens with other parents too.

John
NZ

When you say "child," do you mean college-age, or younger?

If your child is college age, your child should be the one who withdraws his/her application, since s/he is an adult. And it's perfectly common and normal to accomplish that through a polite phone call and letter (both, so you have oral AND written record of it) to the Admissions office. Most have procedures for doing so.

If you child is indeed still a child and this was a private school application or something like that, then same thing, but you can and should do it yourself.

It's perfectly fine... You applied and the terms of an application is to ask if your child can be accepted into the school; therefore, its your prerogative to withdraw your application. (It's the same as applying for a job.)

If it's elementary age, the terminology to use is "the school wasn't a good match." They will understand.

If it's college, the school will expect that the student has applied to several schools, and you don't need to withdraw the application. Keep it on hold in case a transfer is a possibility a year from now.

But don't ask for the deposit back. That is your payment for them processing your paperwork and screening the application, evaluating transcripts, hosting open houses, whatever else.

I think you are wise to not explain. There is no reason they need to know why. You are not obligated to them, as it sounds.

I would leave it at that. If they want more details, I would tell them.

You should probably tell them what you saw that you didn't like. There's nothing nicer than constructive criticism. It makes us stronger if we heed it, and if we don't at least we were warned.

I will simply write to the school and just say we don't feel it is the right fit for our family. It's elementary school. It would be great to give feedback on why we are not choosing the school but think it's easier to just let it lie and do something different for the children. I guess I'm glad it worked out the way it did so we didn't find we'd made the wrong decision too late.