<p>I’d also like to chime in that PEA’s offer, though generous was NOT the MOST generous of those we received, even factoring in some of their benefits for FA students…and all schools had the same info from our PFS. PEA has many, many applications from families with great need, and if a high percentage of them are accepted (PEA has returned to need-blind admissions), middle-income families sometimes don’t receive as much as they’d like.</p>
<p>HADES are not the only well-endowed schools out there, and many other schools have special scholarships for merit, or foreign students, or any number of initiatives.</p>
<p>WHAT AN INSANELY GREAT STORY!!! I hope you will start a new thread about the importance of FIT and re-post your account (post #99 & 101). </p>
<p>I get depressed by how many posters who really don’t know much about the prep school world get hung up on names and never look beyond the handful of ACRONYM schools, regardless of whether that school might actually be a good fit.</p>
<p>But if I don’t go to Andover, I’ll never get into Harvard!!!<----I kid.</p>
<p>@girlgeekmom: Thanks so much for sharing your family’s story. We had a similar experience a few years ago, and my daughter chose St. Andrew’s over a “HADES” school. She’s loving SAS and so are we…headed down for parents weekend in a few days. BTW, Emma is on our shortlist for SevenDaughter2, so keep us posted on how year 1 goes.</p>
<p>BTW, what is up with Choate turning down both our extremely well-qualified kids? ;-)</p>
<p>SevenDad, LOVE that! Our friend who is now in 2nd year at PEA was, in prep year, worried about getting into Harvard! That after 3 months at Exie. OY!</p>
<p>Another friend, frosh at St. Andrews, is apparently loving it. Must connect with parents and find out more. As for Emma, we were just blown away by our parents’ weekend visit. Possibly, the experience of scootering around campus with Geekdaughter added to the joy. With Emma’s fairly compact campus, Razor (and their ilk) scooters seem to be the preferred mode of wheeled transport. </p>
<p>I will definitely keep you posted as the year progresses. Is SD2 applying for fall '13?</p>
<p>Most apps require THIS year’s teachers. If there is an unusual circumstance, it’s best to let the schools know before submitting. In our case, as homeschoolers for 8th, WE were the “current English & Math teachers.” But since we thought it might be helpful to schools to have a more objective view, we also asked dd’s 7th grade English & Math teachers. </p>
<p>Some situations are different. Communicating well with your prospective schools is a good idea. I wouldn’t simply choose a different teacher at random. For those who worry that new teachers don’t yet “get” their kid/s, I would suggest asking for the recommendation later in the term, closer to the app deadline (but do give your recommenders a month or so, if you can—especially in schools that run through 13th, where many of them are also being asked for college recommendations).</p>
<p>girlgeekmom - Thanks for that story. Even though I’m on my second round of applications, I still sometimes struggle to understand the importance of fit vs. the importance of prestige. I did do some research on Emma Willard, but I’m not 100% sure how I feel about an all-girls school. However, there dance program does look great!</p>
<p>As a side note, I am WAY too behind on applications. I completed my visits, which is good, but I haven’t even begun to think about essays or study for the SSATS. I am simply too, too busy! However, I am planning on making good use of Thanksgiving weekend and the 6-hour drive to visit my cousins.</p>
<p>Ballerina, it sounds like you are looking fairly diligently. Not knowing you personally, I can’t “advocate” except to say it is sometimes worth it to broaden your horizons. DD was not sure how she felt about and all-girls’ school either, since so many of her “home” friends are guys. But it’s turned out to be a truly positive experience, at least to start (it’s only the first term of her first year). She loves the girl dynamic, the girl energy, and the fact that the girls she’s in school with aren’t worried about how boys will perceive them in the classroom (that old saw-- it’s cool to be a smart girl at Emma, and, I’d imagine, at other girls’ schools as well).</p>
<p>Ballerina, I am rooting for you. I’ve read your posts and your heart seems to be at Blair. I am a new poster and have read your story with interest. Blair hates to turn away a deserving kid, which you certainly seem to be. The school no doubt has gotten to know you through this process, and you are showing your earnestness and steadfastness in applying again. If Blair knows that it is your first choice, and only FA prevented you being able to attend last year, I am sure it will do everything possible for you to attend. Keep the lines of communication open…if you have read the ‘15 reasons to come to Blair’ on their website, you know that ‘communicate, communicate, communicate’ is one of their tenets.</p>
<p>We currently have a child attending Blair, who is thrilled with the experience so far. It has exceeded all expectations. What a wonderful choice! The girls seem to be friends with lots of the boys, and from what I can tell, they are relaxed and happy in their environment. It is cool to do well in academics, both for the girls and the boys. Everyone is very supportive of one another. It sounds as if you are already rather familiar with the school, but feel free to ask me any questions you may have, either here or via PM. Good luck to you, and I hope you hear happy, happy news on March 10!</p>
<p>Thanks so much, 24daffodils, and thanks for bumping up this thread! I definitely felt a connection with Blair, as did my parents. I hopehopehope that they offer me enough financial aid this year! The only problem is that they don’t have a strong dance program, but I guess I’ll have to make my sacrifices.
On another note, I’ve been soooosoo busy lately with school, dance, and homework, that I haven’t had a spare second to breathe, let alone go on CC. However, I have given my recs to teachers, drafted all of my essays, completed my interviews, and began studying for the SSATs which I’m going to take in January (I need to take advantage of winter break to study as much as I can). I am making good headway, and somehow managing to keep my grades up!
How is everybody else doing? Any updates? Let’s keep this thread going - it’s a great tool, both for us applicants, and the ones in the coming years.</p>
<p>Hi!!! This is my very first time applying to boarding schools in the US!</p>
<p>Im an international student applying to 6 Bs as an upper mid (11th Grader)
NMH, LOOMIS, TAFT, HOTCHKISS, CHOATE & ANDOVER </p>
<p>I have this really big doubt, does it really help if you dont apply for FA?
I know i do have some chance of being accepted into these schools, but not as big as other childen have, so I decided not to apply for FA at any school, will this help my application?</p>
<p>Also, which do you think is the most important part of the application process?</p>
<p>I did all my interviews on-campus (traveled from my country) does it help?</p>
<p>THANKYOU!!! HOPE TO MEET MORE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR 11TH, CLASS OF 2015 :)</p>
<p>Hey guys! So, this totally happened to me: I was applying to three schools I’d discovered online (they are all well known), but when I was touring the schools, one of them was totally disappointing and the school that I’m currently at is way better then that one. Now they’ve send me all this mail with the paperwork, my ssat results were sent to them, but I don’t want to study there. Should I call them? I’ll be like; hey I don’t like your schools that why I don’t want to study there? Has anyone been through this?</p>
<p>We have been in exactly this situation. In addition to the mailed items, we were receiving a lot of email from a particular school’s Admission’s Office. We sent a polite note withdrawing our application and asking to be removed from their mailing lists. We did not think it was necessary to go into detail. The schools dd was applying to were also well known and get plenty of applicants. Best of luck in your search.</p>
<p>My friend’s d has been referred to some schools by an organization for BS admission. Interestingly, a couple of the schools do not want to interview her but stated they have enough information to decide on her application. Other BS are inviting her for interview and visits. Can one assume that the schools that are not interested in seeing her will not admit her?</p>
<p>@Yawjohn - It’s hard to say. These schools may just not have any interview slots left. For example, my son’s school has been fully booked for probably over a month. While they’re generally a good idea, a lot of schools don’t require them.</p>