Hi! I’m relatively new here, but I find the threads very helpful. I recently discovered BS as an option this year, actually in late December, a mere month before most BS deadlines. The public high school I go to is great and has a developed curriculum (IB). The only problem right now is that I’m a freshman and get very bored in my classes. I found out about boarding school and decided to try my luck with applying.
I’m applying to Exeter and L’ville so far, but since both are so selective, I’m afraid I might not get in. I’m nearly finished with both applications (except for school transcripts, those will come in late because my school semester is not over yet). My interviews are scheduled soon as well.
My parents really want me to do the IB program, and I wouldn’t mind that. I realize that both L’ville and Exeter don’t have IB, but the experience is worth the downside. I discovered George School recently, and it seems tempting to apply because they have IB and academic scholarships. I don’t know if I should, though. I would have to apply for FA as well (already submitted statement in SSS).
I took the SSAT a week ago. I definitely did not do amazing, because of the limited prep time I had. I’ll see when the scores come in a few days.
So, basically, I’m applying to L’ville and Exeter already-but I’m not sure if I should add GS to the list. Do they offer substantial FA and good scholarships? Would I need to do an interview if I did? What’s the acceptance rate?
I would really appreciate your thoughts on the matter. I’m nervous about the whole process because of the limited time (about 3 more days until deadline!!!) and new experiences. Also, the fact that L’ville and Exeter are so hard to get into is scary. Could GS be my safety?
Thanks so much…
GS has a very different vibe from L’ville and Exeter. It’s an excellent school – and a natural choice if you are interested in the IB. The community is very welcoming, and they are generous with FA. My kid (and @SevenDad 's) went there and had great experiences.
Spend some time on their website and schedule an interview as soon as you can. (You don’t have to visit to interview.) If you are a strong applicant and genuinely interested in being part of the school community, it will almost certainly be an easier admit than the other two. (Read that last sentence carefully! I’ve known kids who got into Lville and not George.)
I think it sounds like a place you should definitely consider becauseof the IB. If I can answer any questions, let me know.
I think I’ll definitely consider it, considering what you said with the generous FA and the fact it has IB.
I might consider it for a few more days until making my decision because the application is not due until Feb 1.
Thanks so much for your help!
Petrich0r – I would encourage checking out GS! My DD added them a bit later to her school list and she LOVED her interview and now it’s one of her top choices! Since you did LV, then I believe you did have already done SAO, so it’s not going to be logistically too crazy to make it happen. The school was awesome about setting up a Skype interview quickly.
@Calliemomofgirls Thanks so much for the tips! I have finished the SAO already for L’ville. I definitely am adding GS to my list, since the school values, community, and education seem so valuable.
I am a little stressed because my end-of-semester transcripts are not available yet (Finals is next week), and this means my applications are not “complete”. I already scheduled my 2 other interviews (Exeter, L’ville), and my SSAT scores came in today. I emailed both schools and they said it would be fine…still worried though 
Also, I have a question about GS merit scholarships. Which types of people usually receive them? My family would need significant FA for me to be able to attend…
I’m sure it’ll all work out the way it’s meant to.
Thanks again both of you for replying!
Definitely apply to GS. I applied to both GS and Lawrenceville, and they were my top two schools. I didn’t even expect to apply there, but as soon as I went I loved it. I don’t know about aid (I was FP) but they do give pretty good merit scholarships, so go for it!
Oh man, just realized something…
I read through the finer points on GS’s FA FAQs and realized that a family has to reapply for FA each year, and this means they might not get the same amount after the first year…and merit scholarships probably won’t get renewed, right?
Has this ever happened to a student, that they had to switch out because they weren’t able to pay?
^I have never heard of anyone not being able to continue for FA reasons.
This is the norm. In fact, it’s quite clear that Lville is the same. There are families whose need changes from year to year – perhaps an older sib graduates from college, there’s an inheritance, someone loses or gets a job. – those can change your need --in either direction. You need to plan on filling out those forms and submitting tax returns every year.
Merit scholarships, which have nothing to do with aid, are usually for the term of your time at the school. It will be clear, if you get one of those, what the terms are.
@petrich0r Our experience is the annual “re-apply” for assistance is really just an update of the annual income vs the extensive process of the initial application. I was mildly concerned for year two (we had no family BS history) for our DS’s FA. It was simple and the amount actually was raised slightly for a cost of living/annual inflation factor. For schools with a healthy balance such as the ones you are looking at, it is nothing to worry about, IMO.
Haha, thanks. What a relief. I was just a bit confused by all the different policies, but it all makes sense now.
I really could not get a feeling whatare you lookingfor in a boarding school. We visited Lawrenceville and George school and we liked them both although they are different type of schools. Applying to boarding school is not something that you do in a split second. Have you thought about it? Because it is a major decision in your life. Also 2 of the schools are very competitive and rushing applications will not help you. Good luck