<p>my parents won’t let me repeat 
hmm</p>
<p>@Dive Alive aww what grade?
My dad actually started off the whole application process with “you’re repeating 10th grade”… He would’ve let me apply to 11th but made me seriously consider repeating- it wasn’t even an option before that.
I was so against it to start off… now I think it might be a good choice…</p>
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<li><p>Repeating is actually “normal” at boarding schools. You will find kids who are two years older AND younger than you in the same grade. Current sophomores repeat because small schools typically accept very few juniors (Middlesex accepted TWO last year. Zero enrolled at Concord). Current juniors repeat because spots in 12th grade are usually reserved for athletic recruits (not saying that it’s impossible). International students repeat because they need some time to go through the transition.</p></li>
<li><p>You may want to talk to your parents. In these days, contributing $35k and $5k a year are totally different. I’m not saying that your parents should sacrifice everything to pay tuition, but that applying for more aid decreases your chance.</p></li>
<li><p>Why do you want to go to a boarding school?</p></li>
<li><p>People on this board mainly “care” about, say, Andover/Exeter/St. Paul’s. And that’s why they say it’s impossible to get financial aid as a late applicant. If you can tell us more about what kind of school you’re looking for, we may better assist you. Single sex schools and schools outside New England (or less prestigious) might be good choices.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it makes sense now, starting to see the reasoning of repeating, because of the transitioning, and selectivity. And… Yes, I have talked to my parents, and they will pay for a minimal amount, but if it goes over their quota, they say it will not be worth it. They don’t see the point in spending money in High School while I still have to pay for College, and get something at least worthily tangible; I do see their point, but I want to attempt to further my education, and get ready to do my best in college since I have to still apply to graduate programs from undergraduate studies… </p>
<p>…Which brings it to your question. I do understand that paying full-price may be a bit too high right now, but if I do receive aid, I would love to be able to have an education that will support me in college in the future, and probably assist in college options.</p>
<p>…Which goes to the next point. I would like to attend a competitive school, with great academic programs, and dedicated student body. I’ve checked out the private school review, but their site doesn’t have filtering by date so I’m looking individually at each school, so it’s taking a little while.</p>
<p>Now that you’ve decided to apply…</p>
<p>Specific arts/athletic/language programs you’re looking for? Acceptance rate? Average SSAT? Boarding day population? Location? Setting? Single-sex or co-ed?</p>
<p>[Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5DBoarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com)</p>
<p>Once you’ve found twenty such schools, maybe give them a call?</p>
<p>In terms of academically rigorous… you could try this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/260386-boarding-school-rankings-6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/260386-boarding-school-rankings-6.html</a></p>
<p>scroll down to erkybk’s post or just look through the thread I found it pretty helpful just to see how “good” the schools I was considering were.</p>