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[ExieMITAlum]

<p>Great list posted by:rbchicago</p>

<p>Yesterday, 04:05 PM #33 in the exeter/andover/sps thread</p>

<p>

Here’s a way to start the selection process
This list is a starting point. Get a book like “Private Secondary Schools” by Peterson’s or Greenes’ Guide to Boarding Schools which lists all of the stats on boarding the elite boarding schools.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Can your parents afford to pay the tuition? If not, look for 10-15 schools with need-blind admittance and huge endowments. If they can pay full price, skip to step 2.</p></li>
<li><p>What kind of grades do you get? Look at the average SSAT scores of incoming freshman and figure our which 10-15 schools are likely to accept you.</p></li>
<li><p>Are you great (and I mean great) at a specific sport? Find out which schools have the best records in that sport and put them on your list. If you’re just good or average but you still want to play, be sure the school offers JV/Club opportunities in the sport.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you want a big school or a really big school? Say, 600 -800 vs 1000-1400 students? If you don’t know, put 10 of each on your list.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you want to go to school in a place where you have access to a large city or town? If so, determine how easy or difficult it is to get there from the school. (You won’t believe how remote some of the schools are)!</p></li>
<li><p>Do most of the students remain on campus over the weekend? If you won’t be going home weekends, you want to be sure you have plenty of company.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there something in particular you want to study in depth? Pick 10-15 schools that offer what you want.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there an extracurricular activity you are interested in? Pick 10-15 schools that list a club or group that offers what you want.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you want to study abroad while in high school? Pick 10-15 schools that offer term/semester abroad programs that are well-attended.</p></li>
<li><p>Do the websites make you want to go there? Pick 10-15 schools that look you would enjoy spending 4 years there.</p></li>
</ol>

<hr>

<p>Look at your list and request brochures/dvd’s from the 15 schools that appear the most often. After reviewing the information, try to visit at least 5-6 schools before applying. You will begin to get a feel for the environment and figure out if bigger is better or if smaller suits your style. You will also start to see the type of students attending the schools. Try to attend a class. There is a real difference in the Hotchkiss classroom vs. an Exeter class.</p>

<p>When you’re ready to apply, pick 10 schools and go for it. The application process will teach you a lot about yourself at an early age. Believe me, after applying to boarding school, college apps will be a walk in the park.</p>

<p>Good luck!

</p>