Hey guys
So im 15 and i was looking at boarding schools in the UK or US
I grew up in new york (lived there till i was 8) and then moved to india
The schools I’m looking at are
Sevenoaks- UK
Phillips Exeter Academy- US
Phillips Academy Andover- US
UWCSEA- Singapore
However, these are all really expensive and i would be taking money out of my college fund to go there.
I know that a boarding school environment will suit me and i can do really well there. All the schools I’m looking at get amazing university placements (mostly ivy leagues) so thats not a worry. If i do go to any of these schools, i will need a scholarship to a US college or will have to go to a UK college instead
Should i take the risk and go to a boarding school abroad or just stay where i am till college
(i am currently in one of the top schools in india but I’m not too happy with it)
Thanksss
It’s something you’re really going to have to think about and talk about with your parents. Ask: what are your goals?
If money is an issue, Andover is need-blind, so you could work toward ending up there (but only if you genuinely like Andover). However, this does not mean you will qualify for aid.
I do not know about Sevenoaks, but Exeter, Andover, and UWC are super competitive, so I suggest looking for other schools if boarding school is your end goal, not just one of the schools you have listed above.
I suggest showing interest, asking for recs, and setting up Skype interviews by the end of September. This will give you some time to think and consider boarding school more. It will also ensure you are not behind in the process if you decide to pursue it.
Good luck!
Even at school like Exeter and Andover, the majority of each graduating class does not go to an Ivy school.
The two US schools on your list have VERY small admit rates. Please do not assume that you would be admitted. There are many more top candidates than there are spots for. There are many EXCELLENT US schools which also have impressive college matriculation. You may want to widen your net if you want to attend a US school.
In other words, apply to many schools, like nine or so, get into 4-7 lets say, and compare the financial aid offers to each other, not to mention which of these turns out to be the best fit for you NOW, as you will spend two years there (junior and senior year?). You will not get the same amount of money from each school. It probably will vary a lot, and the fact that you are an American citizen living abroad for seven years may make obtaining financial aid a tad more complicated (could help some places and hurt at others, you just have an unusual profile).
Where you spend the school years 2017-2019 should matter more for itself than your ultimate destination from 2019-2023, which is, for all intents and purposes, unknowable at present. It cannot be repeated enough, no prep school (even the four you cite) is an automatic admission to the preferred Ivy League school, and getting into just one is a feat in itself, unless your family is uber-wealthy, or you are a very stud athlete, or a world-class entrepreneur or scientist. Don’t put the cart before the horse, and widen your search since money is an issue and you are not enraptured with your current school.
Just making certain…you are a US citizen correct? Not much financial aid is awarded to international students.