<p>Hi. I'm new to the prep school forum and would love your help. I just received an email from a cousin in Spain saying her son is a very bright 11th grader and wants to attend the very best US boarding prep school next year. According to my cousin, he would have no problem getting in anywhere. He is currently attending a prep school in the US, but he wants to transfer because some teachers are leaving, etc. They are looking for (as she put it) "the best of the best." Any ideas? He is a Spanish citizen and his family is willing to pay full freight. Thanks in advance. I know nothing about boarding prep schools.</p>
<p>curious -- I'll be up front and say I always dislike to read posts from people wanting to know which school (prep or college) is the "best." What's best for one student may not be best for another. There are so many factors involved. Re your cousin's son -- what are his interests? What size school does he want? Is he looking to just transfer for 12th grade? And he's transferring just because a few teachers are leaving his current school? Are athletics involved? Plus, he's currently in 11th grade? Hasn't he already missed all the application deadlines?</p>
<p>As I say, I'm always a little put off by these posts. (No offense to you -- I know you're just researching for your cousin.)</p>
<p>putting aside which school is the best of the best -- none of the bests, together with the "just good enoughs", will not take a student for senior year. Most wont take one for junior year, unless there were extremely valid exceptions/connections</p>
<p>Agree with everthing CBBBlinker said.</p>
<p>I would think if he is already in a US prep school he should have a pretty good idea of the other schools out there.</p>
<p>It's interesting that he's looking to leave because some teachers are leaving(?) I would think most 11th graders are fairly preoccupied with the college admissions process at this critical juncture(spring semester, junior year) . Why exactly is he looking to leave? I didn't completely get the "etc" part.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your prompt reply! I actually agree with everything you have said and thought some of the same things myself. Here's an actual copy of the email (with name and current school removed).</p>
<p>DS IS STYUDYING IN THE USA IN A SCHOOL CALLED XXX. HE'S IN 11TH GRADE AND NEXT YEAR HE WAS THINKING OF CONTINUING THERE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT HIS MATHS TEACHER IS LEAVING, ETC, ANYWAY,,, I NEED INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS CAUSE HE'S THINKING OF MOVING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL AND MY DAD IS DEFFINITELY PRO THAT HE GOES TO THE BEST OF THE BEST. HE'S A VERY GOOD STUDENT AND THAT SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM... COULD YOU RECOMEND ME SCHOOLS. I'LL TRY TO CALL YOU TONIGHT AROUND 7PM IF IT IS ALL RIGHT. SEND ME A MAIL WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER PLEASE.</p>
<p>Pretty unusual...I don't know if he's an athlete (I doubt it) or what the "etc." means either.</p>
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I would think if he is already in a US prep school he should have a pretty good idea of the other schools out there.
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<p>My thoughts exactly! I don't know how he ended up at the current prep school to begin with. This is the first time she has ever emailed me regarding this matter.</p>
<p>I guess I'll just tell her what you have said in your posts. I don't even know if she's calling me at 7pm her time or my time (which would be 2 am her time...yikes!). It sounds like they are in a huge time crunch.</p>
<p>Any other ideas on what to tell her are welcome.</p>
<p>Why don't you just refer her to this website as well as boardingschoolreview.com and let her do her own homework -and wash your hands of it!<br>
Things do seem a little odd as others have mentioned so that is what I would do. :)</p>