<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am a freshman about to go to boarding school next school year as a sophomore. On March 10th, I got accepted to a variety of schools and chose Webb because one of my best friends also chose to go there. However, Cate has always been my dream school and I had been put on their waitlist. A few days ago, I received an email that I had been accepted to Cate. Now I am conflicted on where to go. Cate or Webb? I understand so far that Cate is ranked higher on several boarding school ranking sites but Webb has a better matriculation. My parents also like Webb slightly better. Another plus is that I also have a best friend of mine going to Cate as well, but I enjoy the company of the other one better and do not want to ''ditch'' her. Can anyone familiar with both schools give some pros or cons on each side? I am very conflicted and have until April 11th to decide. Also, I have already paid the enrollment for Webb (2.5) but it is not a problem to cancel the contract (there is no refund).</p>
<p>My advice is to not let your friends be an influence in any way. BS is an amazing experience that will open up the world to you and you will make so many new friends. You will be able to stay in touch with the ones you leave behind or that go to other schools. </p>
<p>Look closely at the academic and athletic/extracurricular programs. Compare foreign languages and travel/exchange options. How far can you go in math or theatre (or both)? Ask all those questions and think about how you as a person want to grow and develop.</p>
<p>I don’t know either school - but I am sure there is enough of a difference there to help you make a decision on how you want to spend your next three years. Great to have the choice and congratulations!</p>
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<p>Conflictedd, have you visited? I know a little about Webb and Cate and they have a pretty different feel: student body vibe is different at each. Since we don’t know you, we can’t say which one is more like you. My S visted both and after visiting, he had a strong sense of which one he saw himself at for the next 4 years. If you can’t visit, ask to IM or email with a couple of students and ask them really honest questions–you’ll be able to tell differences and make the right call for you.</p>
<p>Excellent advice from mamakiwi and erlanger. Cate and Webb are within reasonable driving proximity of each other, so if possible, you and your family should arrange to revisit the schools. Even if you can only spend a couple hours in the morning at one school and a couple of hours in the afternoon at the other, it should help you make a clearer and more confident decision. Congratulations on your success!</p>
<p>Yes, I have visited both schools, however I cannot schedule a revisit because I am an international student and Spring break at my school has just ended. Thanks for the advice so far. I have to decide by tomorrow which school to attend and I am still a bit clueless. I had my mind set on Webb after considering everything, but my parents told me right after I decided to reconsider Cate. I am still very torn between the two and any other opinions would be nice.</p>
<p>@CateParent,
Wow, you must be some driver, I’d never think of Cate (California) and Webb (Tennessee) as being in reasonable driving proximity!</p>
<p>@lemonade,
It’s the Webb Schools, California, by Claremont colleges.</p>
<p>Whoa, I’m a good driver, but not that good! It is a little confusing because there are two Webbs : </p>
<p>Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee <a href=“http://www.thewebbschool.com;%5B/url%5D”>www.thewebbschool.com;</a> With the name Bell Buckle, the place must have an interesting back story. I want to visit.
and
Webb Schools in a Claremont, CA <a href=“http://www.webb.org%5B/url%5D”>www.webb.org</a></p>
<p>CateParent, do you mind me asking, for dorms at Cate, are the rooms mainly singles or doubles? Also, are sophomores allowed to request roommates? I was also wondering if there are any stores or shops near Carpinteria like Ikea. Thanks!</p>
<p>Rooms are mainly singles, but the school encourages all students to live in a double with a roommate for one year. Some students choose to have a roommate for more than one year. There are plenty of shopping options near Cate, in Santa Barbara / Goleta to the north and Ventura to the south. You can easily find everything you’d need for your dorm room within a short drive from campus.</p>