<p>For the past few years, I've wanted to attend a boarding school. (SPS, Deerfield, Andover, Exeter only) Amazing academics, tons of opportunities that are unavailable at home, etc. The problem I'm having is whether go to a private school, or a boarding school. There's a decent private school, Greenhills School <a href="http://www.greenhillsschool.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.greenhillsschool.org/</a> 30 minutes away in Ann Arbor. I would have to be carpooled there everyday. There are a few families in my area would offered to drive me there. The next option is to move with my dad in Ottawa, Canada. The negative parts of this option is that we don't get along that well, and he may be moving. If I lived with him in Ottawa, I would either go to a free, amazing public school, Lisgar Collegiate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisgar_Collegiate_Institute%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisgar_Collegiate_Institute</a> <a href="http://www.lisgar.ca/%5B/url%5D">http://www.lisgar.ca/</a> Which school do you think is better out of those two? The third option is boarding school. Boarding school would be amazing if I could go. The only problem is the $160,000 + that my family would have to spend on high school. I think it would be wiser to save this money and use it for college. My grandmother is offering only $40,000 for my college education if I go to an American school. If I go to a Canadian school, then she'd pay the whole thing. Hopefully, my dad is getting another higher paying job. He turned down a $90,000 a year job in Toronto because apparently it wouldn't be worth it since living expenses in Toronto are oh so much higher than in Ottawa. (He makes $60k in Ottawa). I don't believe that it costs that much more to live in Toronto and he would end up making less. Anyway... he said if he lived in Toronto on a $100k a year salary, that he would be able to pay $20,000 per year to attend Upper Canada College. It's a pretty good school I guess. It's a boarding and day school. I figure if I go to a boarding school, it better be one of the best. so I guess if he lived in Toronto, I would go to UCC. My grandmother also offered to pay $15,000 to attend Ashbury College in Ottawa. Although, just because they said they'd pay $35,000 combined for a Canadian school, doesn't mean they'd pay for a boarding school. If they did pay that much, which I doubt they would, then my tuition would be all set. Then I'd just have to worry about actually getting in. So... I was wondering what you guys thought of this. Which do you think I should do? What schools do you think are the best? etc.</p>
<p>I think you are stressing out WAY to much about this whole entire issue. You DO NOT need to go to a first class school to get a first class education. I'm not going to be naive to say that every school is great. But I'm sure there is some other private schools say in the 7,000-14,000 a year range that if it fits you right can be just fine. As long as you go to the school and do well it won't matter what school it is, you still have to do well and that should be your priority.</p>
<p>I want a great education. What's wrong with that? Like I said, I want the experience of attending a boarding school.</p>
<p>Why don't you apply widely and see where you get in? Unless you have unbelievable stats, you probably won't get into all. Then decide.</p>
<p>Like I said before, if I leave home I want the best education possible.</p>
<p>Mamas boy.</p>
<p>Please post advice, not random insults.</p>
<p>Don't ruin my thread, please.</p>
<p>Kid you have a lot to learn if you think you can only get the best education from places like Exeter and Andover. Also for Exeter and Andover and St. Paul's.....unless your stats are amazing you prob need some connections. When you're talking about these schools you are talking about elite schools with elite families. I got into Andover and Milton Academy but ended up settling for a small Catholic school. I got just as good of an education and because I did well there I set myself up for a great college education. I hate to break it to you if you go to Andover and you're learning about World History your sophomore year........so is everyone else at every other school in the country. You're paying thousands and thousands of dollars for a reputation.</p>
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I want a great education. What's wrong with that? Like I said, I want the experience of attending a boarding school.
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<p>Like ggspin said, there are tons of schools comparable to A/E, but with slightly less name cache. There are tons of boarding schools that offer a great education. Kent, Northfield Mt. Hermon, Blair, Concord, etc.</p>
<p>And if you still have the urge to shoot a little higher the next year, just apply again. You'll have more EC opportunities during your ninth grade year at a slightly lower down boarding school, so you can take advantage of that to boost your chances of admission.</p>
<p>JonK, you give me the idea that you haven't even considered any other schools besides the top top notch. Just take a look at a few of them; not only A/E are worth at least considering. You should consider all of the possibilities before making a decision.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice, cdb. [comment edited out - JEM]
Thanks ggspin.</p>
<p>I say go ahead and apply, you still have a long time to decide if prep school will be for you.</p>
<p>I can tell you from my experience. I went to a public middle school where everyone from there went on to the public high school. Boarding school was a relaly tough adjustment for me freshman year. However, as time went on, I realized what great opportunities and people were around me. It has been, so far, the best four years of my life, and I do not regret the decision one bit.</p>
<p>Do NOT go to Greenhills. I live right near it. I know kids who transferred out of there to my public school because of how miserable the whole "Prep School experience" was for them, and how they wanted a more rounded experience. You may like it though, but I know kids who have had bad experiences there, and still go into ivy league schools out of our public school</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks for the advice. :)</p>
<p>JonathanK - I know a lot of people are telling you to expand your search and I don't want to beat a dead horse but I agree. I was amazed as I inquired and received literature from the majority of the NE prep schools. There's so many and so much to offer from each. I initially applied to Andover, Exeter and Groton but after the initial visit I knew it wasn't the right school for me. I'm an above average student (slightly) but I would not be a "good fit" for those schools. I ended up calling the schools and forfeiting the $50 application fees for those schools. I know the schools don't have the time to show every curious student their campus (which all were great, by the way), and that is why most show the campus after the application and fee are received. I would encourage anybody to look at more than just the "Top 10", throw a wild card in your search and check out the campus, faculty, and students. You may be pleasantly surprised. If not, you're only out $50 and will make your decision that more solid.</p>
<p>Yeah, I see what you're saying.</p>
<p>I think I'm going to apply to these schools. SPS, Deerfield, Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss (maybe), and Milton (maybe)</p>
<p>The problem is, since I know how great my top four schools are, that it'll be hard to go to a different school. You know? I know there's not much of a different, but... I don't know.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if I will be able to visit any of those schools. My mom can't take off work for more than a weekend. Do all of the above schools require visits? Do I have to be on campus for the interview?</p>
<p>Jonathan K,</p>
<p>Yes, most (perhaps all) schools require an interview and tour, which, by the way, is done BEFORE the application and fee are submitted. So, you can see the campus and meet people without having to apply. You decide to apply (or not) afterwards.</p>
<p>Be realistic -- apply to schools that you feel are a TRUE match for your academic abilities -- that is foremost!</p>
<p>They all have wonderful campuses -- that includes DOZENS of schools with less "famous" names. Certainly, you should look at some of those. It is very easy to be enchanted with a school's campus and facilities -- not to mention its "name", so beware not to be so taken with one that you forget the importance of "fit".</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I thought on most of the school's website it says if you are unable to come to the school for an interview, you can schedule a phone interview or find a graduate of [insert school here] to interview you.</p>
<p>Are you sure tours are mandatory? I don't think I could get out there... Maybe my dad and I could drive down there for like..a weekend. Is it possible to visit five schools in two days? I'd be going in the summer... so school wouldn't be in session. Is this possible?</p>
<p>if you need financial aid you better expand your list
it's only going to get more competitive</p>
<p>JK,</p>
<p>You are correct, a tour is not required but some form of interview is. I apologize.</p>
<p>If you do tours, I think that two a day is the maximum so as not to be overloaded with images and impressions. Also, if you can manage to be on a campus while schools are in session you will have a better idea of what they are really like. After all, it is people that make a place what it is.</p>
<p>I don't think my parents could take off work to go two days during the school week. I could probably go for like two days in the summer. Maybe visit my top four schools? (SPS, Andover, Deerfield, Exeter)</p>