<p>My parents want me to go to boarding school next year, I'm not really up to it though. All the schools are really cool and i think it be a good opporunity but I don't want to leave my friends and school....I'm not a great student but i get pretty good grades. What do you guys think...should i try to attend a boarding school????</p>
<p>If you're very outgoing and like to try out new experiences, then sure. Personally, I'm very comfortable with being away from home, etc. I live in a very quiet household (just me and my mom) so I want something more exciting where I can live with 30 other people in a dorm... I also like many other aspects of BS.</p>
<p>However, if these do not appeal to you, then stay home.</p>
<p>And by the way, despite your grades, there are plenty of elite to average boarding schools that you can apply to.</p>
<p>Why do your parents want you to go to boarding school?</p>
<p>Everyone on this board is basically going because they WANT to go, so you'll find a lot of people who can give you advice. </p>
<p>Also, what grade are you in? If you're entering 8th grade, it would be better to apply to BS for your freshman year because it's harder entering as a sophomore or junior.</p>
<p>Yeah, why do your parents want you to go to boarding school? Honestly, if you really don't want to go and you're happy where you are, unless they have a VERY good reason, I don't see why you should go through the trouble of leaving. If you haven't fallen in love with boarding schools after their pretty pictures and huge course catalogues, then honestly, you're better off staying where you are. Usually, people dream about these schools after looking at the websites and brochures, and it takes quite a lot to make them realize that it's not all roses at boarding school. I really don't recommend going if you don't want to. Like Olivia said, everyone who applied out of their school did it because they wanted to, and their parents had either little or nothing to do with it.</p>
<p>Well thank you for replying. I am entering 9th grade in the fall. Boarding does look really interesting and I would like to go but i'm just not sure yet. I have a very good personailty and very pesonable. My parents think that i would thrive at boarding school, they think i have a lot of Potential of doing. I wouldn't mind living on my own with other people. My house is very choatic and unorganized. I am the complete opposite of my family as you could say. I wouldn't say "fallen in love" with boarding schools, don't get me wrong i think some of them are beautiful and the campuses are to die for, but i dont know. maybe it just isnt my thing?</p>
<p>Listen-
Don't go unless you are absolutely sure that you want to go because otherwise, you may find yourself absolutely miserable in the dead of winter when the heat isn't working so well, away from your friends and forced to do things you don't want to do, like go to bed at a certain time or be back at the dorms by 7, etc. You should only go if you know that under the worst circumstances there, you will still be happy you left. If you have doubts, I don't think that's going to happen and as much as I think that boarding schools can really be wonderful, I think that you'll be making a big mistake if you go.</p>
<p>I'm just starting to look at boarding schools--in 7th grade, and I think you are so lucky that your parents want to send you to a school. I really want to go to one, but right now that isn't looking so bright. I think your parents right now know what's best for you, but if you have mixed feelings about it, you should maybe talk with your parents in private, and discuss the pros and cons about going to a boarding school.</p>
<p>I've talked with some kids that have gone to a boarding school, and they said that they never wanted to leave. They loved their boarding school that they went to. But, I've aslo talked with teens who went to a public highschool, and the majority of them couldn't wait till summer came! So I think your best bet would be to apply for a boarding school! Take advantage of opertunities that come your way!</p>
<p>You don't need to make a final decision until early April -- I think it's April 10th. At that time, your parents will sign a contract. Even then, it might be possible to back out later. Other people can comment on this.</p>
<p>If you think there is some chance that you would enjoy going to boarding school, then you can pursue it but hold your final decision until April 10th, if your parents are agreeable to doing this. After you are accepted, some schools will allow you to spend a day and night at your potential school. This will give you a stronger sense of what the boarding life is like so you can establish some comfort with it. </p>
<p>April 10th is almost a year from now, so you may find that the appeal of boarding grows on you over time. That said, the students who are unhappy at boarding schools are the ones who did not want to go there. When we were doing our tours, I asked the guides what kind of student does not thrive at the school, and the answer almost always was that it was the student who did not want to go there.</p>
<p>careyy26: When I first broached the subject of BS with my S, he was like, "What are you talking about?" I had some ideas -- because parents tend to know their children -- that he would probably like it. When we talk about BS on this "Prep School Admission" board we're usually talking about kids who are GOING to BS, not kids who are SENT to BS. The idea, then, was to say, "Well, consider this option. Let's take a closer look, gather information, visit a couple places and then let's see if you want to GO to BS."</p>
<p>We went to a web site called boardingschoolreview.com and selected a few schools, especially some nearby schools that would be easy to visit. That web site makes it very easy -- with a couple mouse clicks -- to request brochures and other glossy marketing/admission materials for you to look through.</p>
<p>After his first visit to a real life BS there was no turning back. We had kept him in his school for too long, partly because we respected his "I don't want to lose my friends" argument and partly because we decided to take the path of least resistance and would give it "one more year" for several years in a row. But once he took a serious look at BS, it became the new path of least resistance for us...he was THAT convinced.</p>
<p>You've got options that most kids don't have because your parents are inclined to send you to BS. You'd be foolish not to explore your options. I can't say whether you'll want to go after you've checked it out, but I know you won't regret just looking and knowing that you made the best decision, regardless of what it ends up being.</p>
<p>If you don't want to go, you won't go. Plenty of schools make sure that they accept students who personally want to GO to BS. One interviewer (and perhaps more) directly asked my S "Who decided that BS was right for you, you or your parents?" and he said, "Well, my parents came up with the idea, but it's now my decision." Some kids come up with the idea; others don't. In the end, though, if it's not your decision, you don't have to go because few, if any, of the college prep BS will want to accept someone who resents being at the school. So, give it a try. Be open-minded. And don't worry that something will happen that you don't want to have happen. </p>
<p>The really cool thing about this search process is that, in the end, this is one of those rare decisions that both parents and teen must truly reach together as full partners. The parents are in control in that they have to approve. You're in control because you have to want to GO.</p>
<p>Oh, and somewhere in here there's a thread that's mostly by other kids about the pros and cons of telling your friends about what you're doing. You might want to read through that to understand that part and find out what other kids think about that...before you learn a lesson the hard way.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My advice to you turns on how you answer the following questions: </p>
<p>(i) Why exactly do you have concerns about BS?</p>
<p>(ii) Is it that you really don't want to live away from home?</p>
<p>(iii) Is it that you are very happy where you are and don't want to make a change?</p>
<p>(iii) Is it just that you are not sure what BS is like, whether you'd fit in, etc.</p>
<p>(iv) Is it for some other reason?</p>
<p>If you think you would really miss home, and wouldn't be happy in a dorm environment - BS obviously isnt for you and I wouldn't even bother looking. When I was at BS, these were the kids who were truly miserable. Nothing at BS was as good as it was at home. The food wasn't as good as their Mom's. Their room wasn't as nice as the one at home. The kids weren't as nice as they were at their old school. Etc. They were genuinely unhappy, unable to appreciate the positive aspects of BS, and usually dropped out after their first year.</p>
<p>If your just really happy where you are, it probably doesn't make sense to change, although I'd suggest you at least get a couple of brochures and maybe look at one or two schools to get an idea of what you're missing.</p>
<p>If you're just reluctant to make a change, worried about what BS is like, concerned you won't fit in, etc. - well I think you're like a lot of kids who apply to BS. You should definitely start researching schools, get materials from those that appeal to you/meet your criteria, look at a bunch of schools and, if a number appeal to you, apply. School visits can give you a pretty good idea of what the school is like. This board also has a number of BS students who post, some of whom may actually go to schools you are interested in. They can be a great source of info. If you are lucky enough to get in to a couple of the schools you apply to, they usually have revisit days, which can give you an even better idea of whether you'd fit in. As D'yer has already posted, you will until April 10 to make a decision.</p>
<p>Although BS is not for everyone, for the right person they can be a life changing experience. You are lucky that your parents are prepared to give you the opportunity to go to a BS, so unless you already feel pretty certain that you'd be unhappy there, I think you owe it to yourself to at least explore this option by getting some additional info. and keeping an open mind.</p>
<p>Agh, prppd, what school are you attending? I forgot. J'oublie, et je suis tres desolee. (sp?)</p>
<p>That's ok Olivia. I attended what you and I know to be the best boarding school - but that was many years ago. :)</p>
<p>Ohh, that's why your username is so familiar, prppd!! Yeah, Choate IS the best BS. :D</p>
<p>You should definitely try a boarding school! I just graduated from one, The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN and the boarding life always mixes with the day student life. There is always so much to do on campus that all of the students, boarding and day, stick around to hang out with each other. Most of my friends who board at Webb don't realize that it is a boarding school because our school community is so much like a family. And, it is not like you will never see your family or old friends. I think you should give it a shot!</p>
<p>thank you very much everyone. your advice has somewhat changed my mind a little.
prpdd: here are the answers to your questions. </p>
<p>(i) Why exactly do you have concerns about BS?
Can't really say it at the moment, don't know how to explain it. </p>
<p>(ii) Is it that you really don't want to live away from home?
I wouldn't mind, but i like living in my house. </p>
<p>(iii) Is it that you are very happy where you are and don't want to make a change?
I am not very happy, just content. and yes i don't feel like changing anything</p>
<p>(iii) Is it just that you are not sure what BS is like, whether you'd fit in, etc.
I have a feel for what BS is like, i think that i would fit in, i just don't want to leave my friends. </p>
<p>(iv) Is it for some other reason?
No. </p>
<p>Over the summer, I am interveiwing for 2 schools in Maine and one in TN. I like the one in TN a lot, its just far away from my home. My parents aren't forcing me to go to boarding school. they just want me too. i like i already said dont know if i want to go. ill give it a shot, but leaving everyone for a school thats far away, doesnt appeal to me</p>
<p>Thats a tough situation to be in. I suggest you check out a few schools. If none of those really "click" with you, then I think you should stay home. However, be open minded to new possibilties!</p>
<p>In my opinion, I think you should go for it. I think it's great that you're visiting some boarding schools to check them out! You should first go to them before you make any drastic desicions, and as liza42 said, you should see if they "click"</p>
<p>Are you applying for a rolling admission? In other words, are you trying to get in this fall? I understand it's easier to get in your freshmen year than your sophomore year.</p>
<p>It seemed when you were answering prpdd's questions, you seemed a bit uncertain. As I had said before, you should talk to your parents about the pros and cons. </p>
<p>I wish you luck on your interveiws over the summer. I am anxious to hear what will happen. I really hope you do get into a boarding school!</p>
<p>Well, I think the pool in the sophomore year is smaller, so there are fewer students to take, but the pool is also less competitive.</p>
<p>I don't mean to sound harsh, but what do you mean Olivia, "pool is less competitive"? I don't really understand that concept. From what I've heard, schools take about 75 or 100 kids freshman year (depending on how large the class is), and only 10 or 15 kids sophomore year. So, it seems as if it is more competitive sophomore year, just based on the math. </p>
<p>Do you mean that the kids that apply in 9th grade are less 'qualified' than the ones that applied in 8th grade? I think that a lot of kids aren't sure in 8th grade that they want to go away to school--but after they start high school, they realize that they want something more than what their local school can give them. </p>
<p>Of course I don't have any statistics to compare the quality of applicants between 8th grade and 9th grade, but I would think that same type of applicants apply to boarding schools all 4 years. It just gets harder to get in, the longer you wait.</p>
<p>I know they accept fewer students in sophomore year - though I know it's greater than 10 to 15 at the big, elite schools like AECM (And./Ex.,Choate, Mil.). But I've also heard that the students who apply in 9th grade ARE less qualified, but even with fewer spots, it's easier to get in.</p>
<p>Basically, I think it's because of the fact that kids who applied in 9th grade and didn't get in but have reasonably stronger applications in 10th grade can get in easily (obviously, it's still hard, but more get in), and that fewer kids are thinking about boarding school at that point. It's not like there are thousands of ninth graders sitting in their classroom thinking, "Boarding school. Gosh. Never thought about it" because that would simply mean that that many people would be applying for 10th as there were that many applicants in 9th.</p>
<p>I may be wrong, but that's what I've heard.</p>
<p>I see what you mean. But, I still don't see why it's easier to get in starting sophomore year, when there are less spots. But, you're probably right that less kids are thinking about boarding school by the time they're in the middle of their freshman year. It would be interesting to find out the statistics and see if the schools feel that the quality of applicants is reduced with each consecutive year.</p>