Hello everyone. I currently attend a Mid-Atlantic boarding school. (It’s a top 30 boarding school) All I can say is that the school is not a good fit for me at all. I realized this last year in 9th grade when I wanted to re-apply but I ended up never doing it because my mother didn’t want me to board. (I’m a day student). However, after trying to be involved in club leadership with the school and as I’ve taken harder classes, I’ve truly come to realize how many things I hate about the school.
I really want to apply to a different boarding school because now I believe my mom is coming around to letting my board, and I feel that the school I’m currently at severely discourages students from challenging themselves and being involved in school activities besides sports.
I’m just concerned because I don’t know if it’s too late and not smart for me to transfer schools junior year. A school I would really like to apply to is Phillips Exeter.
It’s unlikely that any ultra-selective boarding school will want to admit an American student as a senior.
Your realistic choices are:
- apply as a repeat junior
- move to a day school
- move to local public school
- board in your present boarding school
- home school
- stay put
@GMTplus7 I’m currently a sophomore so I would be applying as a junior.
I’m finding it hard to believe that your current school cannot challenge you. Perhaps there is more to share?
First thing, I would see what is possible where you are. That would include having an honest talk with your current school advisor (or whomever you feel more comfortable with). If you feel you aren’t challenged, I’d imagine there are ways to address that.
If you feel you don’t “fit”, I would think that an honest talk might help there too. But it might not. Still it’s usually best to address these things directly I’ve found.
Beyond that, if your family supports you looking closely at other alternatives, the options summarized above are still the same, and I would encourage you to investigate all of them based on your priorities.
I don’t think a transfer to a different boarding school is a bad thing, especially if you are really banging your head on the ceiling where you are. It could turn out to be a great thing. I think everyone involved in your life will agree what matters most is your development, sense of community and happiness.
So go for it. But do it quickly. You are coming up against deadlines soon, and there’s lots to do, on top of what is probably a very very busy schedule.
Go for it! I applied as an 11th grade applicant, and I would certainly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. There are difficulties applying as a junior: hard admissions due to fewer spots available, less time to adapt, relatively established friend groups, etc. However, I do believe it is completely worth trying and so far I absolutely love it here. If you have any more questions, feel free to message me :].