<p>@NYCmomof3 I am in the same place as you and I am wishing I never let my son explore this option for high school because he saw all of the wonderful experiences he won’t be able to experience. He was given no FA at one of his fav schools, and very limited at the other. We received a very nice letter from the head of financial aid that they had difficult choices that FA could be given to only 20 of the 100 candidates that were accepted. He said he didn’t want to send the message that these candidates were not admissible or not a good fit, when they were the strongest candidates. He was wait listed at the other schools he applied and he could have cared less, but these were his two hidden gems favorite schools that we both fell head over heals for. I would love to give him this opportunity …but I have to be realistic…it’s high school…and it is a luxury not a necessity … I just know no other local school will ever come close. I only hope it motivates him even more in the future to work hard, and prepare better for his own children. I can empathize …</p>
<p>@lestouffer Christchurch was really cool - glad I applied! Congrats to you as well!</p>
<p>@MIT8989 I’m glad to report that my dd spoke to an alum of her current school that attended the BS that she will be attending this fall. She is so much more excited about her new BS and is looking forward to her visiting day. She needed to “grieve” the disappointment of her not being able to attend her fav. school because of no FA offered. She has done a fantastic 180 and is looking ahead! Kids are resilient… </p>
<p>DD was thrilled to accept an admission offer from her first choice Thacher, over several HADES offers.</p>
<p>@cali2gtown hehe I’m going be a freshman in kent next fall so I’m in eighth grade now :)</p>
<p>Accepted to Chatham Hall for 11th grade</p>
<p>Does Peddie counts as a hidden gem?</p>
<p>Accepted to Kent and St. George’s! </p>
<p>@synchro155- Congratulations! </p>
<p>Here on CC, most people are new to the BS world and only apply (and obsess over) a few select schools. In the real world, Peddie is every bit as prestigious as Andover. Kent is every bit as prestigious as Exeter. Taft is every bit as prestigious as Groton… and so on. The purpose of Hidden Gem Threads is to create awareness and counter the false narrative (on CC) that some schools are better than others based on how selective they are or name recognition. For those choosing a school based on brand or name recognition, I say: Good luck! I hope it’s a good fit and you’re not too disappointed when the seas don’t part for you.</p>
<p>When you enroll at Peddie or any of the Top 30-40 schools, you’ll find that everyone looks at each other as equals. There is no BS hierarchy. It’s a myth. Kids at “Gems” don’t wait for the PA bus to pull up so they can catch a glimpse of the chosen few… That’s just silly.</p>
<p>So… While Peddie and other schools might be considered Gems here on CC- they’re actually not Hidden nor are they easy schools to get into. All these schools are truly exceptional and will offer a student an amazing experience.</p>
<p>Heartfelt congratulations to everyone. You’re in for a quite a ride!</p>
<p>@PhotographerMom- Very well said!!! I couldn’t agree more. </p>
<p>Some relatives were really pressuring my DS to apply to the HADES schools, but we knew he wouldn’t necessarily be happy there. We want a wonderful boarding school experience for DS at a place where he can do well academically but also have the time to participate in sports and the arts. We want a balanced life for him. I personally could care less about the prestigious named schools. I would rather have my DS be happy at a “Hidden Gem” than miserable at a HADES school.</p>
<p>Has anyone been accepted to an all-boy or all-girl school? </p>
<p>Yes. My daughter only applied to all girls schools - she was accepted into Chatham Hall, Grier, Miss Halls, Porters, Emma Willard and St. Timothy’s. </p>
<p>I have a friend who got into Millbrook. Is that a hidden gem?</p>
<p>One more bump. Anyone else?</p>
<p>A friend got into Thacher and another into LC (if those two are gems) </p>
<p>Accepted to SPS & Milton! My gem is SPS- especially since the admission rate was 10%- and they told me that that was the tiniest rate they’ve ever had! I’m overjoyed :-* </p>
<p>@boardingschoolx, you have misinterpreted what a hidden gem is. A hidden gem is a school that flies under the radar, but is every bit as good as a “top tier” school. SPS is not a hidden gem.</p>
<p>@needtoboard oh, oops! I apologize for my ignorance!</p>
<p>You know… @boardingschoolx , this Dream- Gem thing is all very subjective. You were accepted to two wonderful (incredible!!) schools and that’s the most important thing! Congratulations!! :)</p>
<p>@PhotographerMom thanks!</p>