<p>^ I was seriously considering applying to Exeter, but declined. I felt like it was a bit too intimidating, and faced with all those people, I felt like a number-a stat. I could see why others might flock to Exeter, but it jarred with my personality so much, I didn’t bother with my application.</p>
<p>Golden-- that shows maturity. Just bc a school has a “name” does not mean it is a good fit. In this status driven society, making such a decision shows some real self awareness. Good on you!</p>
<p>@etondad: Thanks! Yes, I do feel that we, as a society, are too obsessed with status. But isn’t this so predictable? Historically, this has been the case. Why was the caste system formed? To show that some have prestige, and some don’t. The former were revered; the latter weren’t. It’s the same thing now with Boarding Schools, and I don’t want to take part of it.</p>
<p>I am wondering if so many people apply to only top boarding schools not because they want to go to a boarding school at all costs, but because they want to go to an extraordinarily good school, and the school is so far away from where they live, that boarding is their only option. I want the best academics for my son and to tell you the truth, “sense of community” all boarding schools refer to as something pertaining to their and their school only does not impress me much.
So, if I am willing to pay so much money for my kid’s High School, I’ll pay only for a one of the best schools and will not settle for a mediocre one. SSAT scores do have some weight, they do show if a child is smart (in 99% of cases, not mentioning the genuises who cannot concentrate and take a test decently) and schools that accept kids with 65%-75% can be found in our neighbourhood, no need to go so far away.
That may be the point of view of those who are prepared to make sacrifices for the best of the best and don’t want to apply to more schools, just for the sake of being accepted somewhere.</p>
<p>^ That is actually my case. I live in a good enough district, and if I’m casting my sights toward BS, I’m inclined to look up the ladder. Thus, I’ve looked at countless GLADCHEMMS; however, fit plays a role as well. You shouldn’t be condemmed to spend four years in a place where you are uncomfortable-even if it is a “prestigious” school. Brands to not translate to happiness, and think that more applicants should be aware of this.</p>
<p>My son is applying to a LOT of schools. He is pretty committed to the idea of boarding school. The first school he visited said, “your problem is that he is going to fall in love with every school he sees.” And, that turned our to largely be true other than a couple of schools where the tour guide was less than enthusiastic (it really, really matters). So, he is casting a wide net but if you press him for his top 3 he will list 2 “elite” schools and one that some might think of as “second tier”. He made a great connection with all three and has said that he would be happy at any of the schools where he is applying. And, the “second tier” school has really encouraged him throughout the process.</p>
<p>One note on the SSAT. I asked virtually every admissions officer about this and all but one said that it is the absolute last thing they look at. I was most surprised when one of the “elites” said that if he was above 70th percentile it would not matter and that we would be surprised how many straight A and 99th percentile SSAT kids they reject. Another told me that there is zero correlation between the SSAT scores and success at their school. This perspective actually helped my son put less pressure on himself for the test and he improved dramatically on his 2nd sitting, with very little test prep for either sitting. My conclusion, there is no magic formula and the “fit” on both sides is extremely subjective but incredibly important.</p>
<p>This is great I feel like we are all here and “in it together”! Is that kinda corny? </p>
<p>I started this thread when I finished the first draft on my essays for all my schools. Then it was crunch time for me checking and re checking all the essays ( I did not submit them till Monday the 14th)</p>
<p>I was swamped with school, application essays, Football (practices games playoffs) and then and now basketball (practices tournaments & games). Plus I had to keep on my teachers I gave them the recommendations the beginning of November english just mailed hers last week (OMG she was killing me)</p>
<p>Needless to say I haven’t had time to be on the boards. </p>
<p>It is great to read what everyone has posted about their school choices </p>
<p>Good luck to us all!</p>
<p>I agree! Its comforting knowing that so many other people are going through the same admissions process :)</p>
<p>It’s such a great help, having an internet resource like this. Applying only in the UK this year, I spent most of my time on The Student Room, as there were about 40 of us on there all applying to Westminster School.</p>
<p>I’m joining late to this thread; wish I had discovered it earlier. My daughter just returned from her interviews at Andover, Exeter, Choate, and Deerfield. She liked each of the schools with the exception of Deerfield which she described as very “country club-ish” and not as academic vis-a-vis the other schools. Regarding @Shirlie’s post, I am one of those parents that are only applying to the “name” schools because I don’t intend to spend the money and be apart from my child for a second-tier program, which are abundant in my county.</p>
<p>Good luck to all who are going through this process. Will keep my fingers crossed for everyone and know that no matter what happens, the acceptance or rejection of schools will not define a student. There are many routes to a “successful” life.</p>
<p>^Everyone’s heard of those already. Stop spamming us.</p>
<p>I am applying to:
Pingree School- Day School
Phillips Exeter academy- Boarding
Ugh… Can’t wait until March 10th! :)</p>
<p>I am applying to:</p>
<p>The Pingry School
Blair Academy</p>
<p>SamHam424: Do you mean the Pringree School, as in the one happyendings1 is mentioning?</p>
<p>@GoldenRatio: Though I’m still mad at you for not applying to Lawrenceville :(, I have a question: given a choice between PAA and Taft, which would you choose?</p>
<p>…about L’ville, all I have to say is: If I had known of it earlier, I would have definitely applied. It sounds great! The only qualm I had…was my parents (I didn’t have enough time to convince them to let me apply :P)</p>
<p>But if I were accepted to Andover and Taft (whoa! Both? That’s a miracle onto itself!), I would have to take both Revisit Days. I like aspects of both! …but right now, I’m more inclined to pick Taft.</p>
<p>I am applying to three schools:</p>
<p>Episcopal High School</p>
<p>Woodberry Forest </p>
<p>Mercersburg Academy</p>
<p>I rushed my application at Lawrenceville so I asked them to not even regard it, and if I could have known I would have applied to Peddie and Deerfield, but I was not erudite on the boarding school life until late in the game. I only applied to schools I thought I could get into and would be able to accomodate my interests, and I tried not to try for the more elite schools just because they were elite. I really just tried to save myself the pain of a rejection from a Forbes List school because I tried to be as “practical” as I could. Not to say that you shouldn’t apply to the best of the best, but I’m just stating that one should heavily consider odds before applying. I totally agree with the argument that you should not just settle for Exeover Academy or Hotchfield School because of reputation. Although these schools are remarkable, there are great “hidden gem” schools with generous FA and large endowment! Thanks.</p>
<p>anybody applying to South Kent?</p>
<p>Im applying to Concord Academy and Phillips Exeter both as a day student :)</p>
<p>I actually forgot to apply to one of the schools on my list, so not knowing about one doesn’t look so bad in comparison!</p>