<p>I just think that the kids who are really serious about boarding school start thinking about it in 8th grade and even 7th - as you can see early next year posters on this board - and that these are the most competitive applicants, and that 10th graders come from a K-9 feeder school or aren't crazy about BS but their parents want them to go - or they could be legacies.</p>
<p>But I do agree that the spots are insanely scarce in entering 11th grade, which you can see just by looking at blairt and Msu - two amazing applicants - who should have been admitted to their schools any other year than 11th, because it was so competitive. 11th graders are special cases - athletes, recruited students, faculty children, legacies, etc., or insanely smart or people with connections.</p>
<p>Haha, pixie, where are you thinking of applying? ;)</p>
<p>P.S. Go to Choate
P.P.S. I've already typed up a page of why I love Choate, so tell me if you want it!!
P.P.P.S. i'm attending there next fall as a freshman in class of 2011.</p>
<p>The stats we've seen on 9th and 10th grade admissions is that most schools do increase their 10th grades by about a third on average (so starting with a class of 100 in 9th grade, they will add another 30 or so in 10th). Some increase as much as 50%.</p>
<p>To the original poster...keep an open mind when looking at the schools this summer - which ones in Maine are you going to? Look at the opportunities the schools will offer you that your current school will not. The least of which is the opportunity to get to know other kids from all over the world. It is hard to leave your friends, but you WILL make new ones and you will still have your old ones. My son left public school in 5th grade - is now entering 9th and some of his best friends are still from his old school. </p>
<p>Try to think about what would be your perfect school - friends aside - and use that list when you go to visit.</p>
<p>Deerfield doubles their class in 10th grade, so that might be good for you.</p>
<p>The two things I HATED about it were:
1. None of the kids had roommates. (See other thread for my explanation)
2. When I visited, NONE of the kids said hi to each other in the hall like they did at Choate or even Andover. </p>
<p>You might want to talk to pumpkinyaz (Cason) About this too because he's going to Choate next year and originaly had DA (Deerfield Academy) as his first choice but changed after his revisit.</p>
<p>No problem, carrey! Some of us have been on here for years, like Jonathan and prepparent, but most for just this year... but I have to say, I have learned loads from being on this site.</p>
<p>Careyy26 - sounds like part of your concern about boarding school is just not wanting to make a change and leave your friends. It's natural to have fear of the unknown. When I went to BS 30 something years ago, I remember being pretty nervous, but my prior school only went through 8th grade, and everyone in my class went away to BS. But you shouldn't let complacency keep you from missing out on something that really could be a life changing experience.</p>
<p>At the very least it makes sense to do some independent research - most of which can be done without leaving your computer. Once you have a better idea of what's out there, and the kind of schools that you think would be the best match, contact those schools and request a catalogue. Then sit down with your parents to make a list of those schools you'd be interested in visiting. I'm not sure where you live, but if you possibly can, you really should visit each potential schoo. Research, brochures, the opinion of others, and reputation, can all be helpful, but ultimately you need to the first hand experience of visiting. Some schools will just feel better than others. </p>
<p>Finally, keep an open mind. But don't get so caught up in the process that you feel that you have to go to BS. If after doing research and looking at a bunch of schools, you feel you'd be happier where you are, you shouldn't make a change. BS is not for everyone, and if you feel you'd be happier where you are, and feel good about the education you're getting there's nothing wrong with staying put.</p>
<p>you should definitely try to visit a few. if you're not convinced after visiting a school then it probaly wasn't meant to be. and if you do fall in love with the idea of going to a boarding school ,then all the best of luck applying in the fall.(=</p>
<p>P.S. Go to Choate. =D
Just kidding! But check Choate out and a lot of other schools. Ask a few people on this board; here are the boarding schools we go/are going to.</p>
<p>Choate: itshelenmelon, thinkpink123, olivia567 (that's me, please PM!!), pumpkinyaz, ChipMonk123 (I forget the number)</p>
<p>Andover: prettyckitty, dancer(I forget the number), sugerkim, suze</p>
<p>careyy26 -- I noticed that you will be visiting schools this summer. If you are applying rolling admissions for entry this fall, I guess that is the way to do it. However, if you will apply for entry fall 2008, I think it is a good idea to visit schools while they are in session. They are much more exciting when you can see your potential classmates, get a glimpse of dorm life, watch classes in action, meet faculty/coaches, etc. Good luck with whatever you and your parents decide to do!</p>
<p>Courtney,
You should probably start a new thread for your question or people won't notice it here buried at the bottom of this old thread. THere is a button on the top left of the screen called "new thread". Give it a good title, and people will be able to respond.</p>