Crushed

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Please excuse my poor writing... I'm not feeling well. </p>

<p>My parents broke it to me today.
Apparently, there's no more boarding school. It's over. Gone. Period. I'm so distraught, and I'm an emotional wreck right now. My interviews were booked for next week, but that's no longer an issue, I suppose.</p>

<p>If only I had known... they acted like everything was going great. They supported me, or so I thought. Now, I'm sitting here, going bleary-eyed with tears as I stare at a glowing computer screen.</p>

<p>Oh gosh, I'm so upset right now. I appriciate everything my parents have done for me. I would understand if, after I got my results, they turned the schools done, but why now? </p>

<p>What did I do to screw everything up? I wish I knew, so I could go back and do everything over. Yes, I'm still applying to day schools. Am I so selfish for wanting a little more?</p>

<p>I've cried myself to the point of physical sickness. I didn't see this coming at all. I hate myself for even letting it get this far. I've deceived myself the whole time. </p>

<p>It might seem childish for this to be such a big deal, but it hurts, it really does. I understand it all, but at the same time, I don't. What did I do, and why do I feel so hopeless?</p>

<p>I'm sorry for this stupid, emotional, post. I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time... you've all been great. I would fight back, but I've already given in. I could stand rejection by Andover or Exeter or Hotchkiss, but I didn't see it coming from my own family. Thanks for everything.</p>

<p>--- Cinnamon</p>

2

<p>OH NO!! Words cannot describe how emotional I feel while going and re-reading and re-reading your post. YOUR NOT STUPID! YES, YOUR EMOTIONAL BUT ITS FRICKIN UNDERSTANDABLE!</p>

<p>Oh darling, why now? Why would they let you go through the whole process?! Did you upset them? Was it in the heat of a big fight? How do you know they're serious? I read your posts! Your a phenomenal student!! You didnt decieve yourself! You deserrveee to go!</p>

<p>If you want to talk a little more my AIM screenname is siriusly6404. PM me as much as you want.</p>

<p>Sheesh, what sort of parents do you have?!</p>

<p>We're here for you. GL trying to convince them how spectacular you are. You already convinced us...</p>

<p>:( x infinity</p>

<p>~Crickett</p>

3

<p>Cinnamon, PM me! My inbox is cleared. :)</p>

<p>I'm really sorry about this. The same thing happened to me last year. My parents seemed really excited about the whole thing and out of the blue my mom just said she doesn't want me to live out east by myself. This year is better, though, and hopefully it will stay that way.</p>

<p>If this year doesn't work out, there's always next year. A lot of people apply for tenth grade. What exactly are the reasons for your parents not wanting you to at least apply to boarding schools? Maybe you could at least convince them to go out to New England for a day or two to tour some schools?</p>

<p>Good luck, and hope this all works out for you.</p>

<p>Jonathan</p>

4

<p>I am sorry to hear this Cinnamon. Does your parents decision also include local day schools? I know many families whose children attend Cranbrook. They have nothing but wonderful things to say about the school and the education their children are receiving. Is it possible for you to apply to Cranbrook or Detroit Country Day?</p>

5

<p>Not knowing Cinnamon's specifics, but knowing a few people in Detroit, I wouldn't be surprised if it were an economic issue that may have pulled the plug on Boarding School. From what I am hearing with the settlement of the UAW contracts there will be a lot of cutbacks not just at the Big 3, but many suppliers and other businesses that depend upon the soon to be shut down operations. :(</p>

<p>And in times of uncertainty in Detroit, even families not directly impacted by auto downturns often find the economics problematic. Retail businesses suffer, even doctors and lawyers feel the cutbacks. And with such uncertainty, discretionary spending such as boarding school is considered one of those extras that need to be re-examined.</p>

<p>Having lived through good and bad times there myself years ago, I understand the situation.</p>

<p>Given what I know about the area Cinnamon lives in, she won't suffer horribly for the local public schools. It may not be the place where she get the most, but she'll definitely have a bright future college-wise.</p>

<p>Detroit Country Day and Cranbrook are probably too distant for day student options as well if I understand the approximate area where she lives.</p>

<p>I wish you well, Cinnamon. Even if you don't get to go to boarding school, do hang around CC and keep everyone posted on life. I wish we could help you more, but I know that your parents will do a good job. They've gotten you this far already.</p>

<p>Good Luck.</p>

<p>Goaliedad</p>

6

<p>i'm so sorry cinammon!!!!! the same thing almost happened to me, i wanted to go soooo sooooo sooo bad (to the point where that was all i thought about) but my parents were always against it. i wrote them a letter exoplainging my reasons. started crying to inspire sympathy and they gave in. don't give up!!!! write them a letter and explain your reasonings!!!! i could even help you if want! feel totally free to email or IM WHNEVER YOU WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>i'm soooooo sooooo sooo sorry. go get a lot chocolate and other high-calories foods, you deserve a treat! (i am SOOOOOO frickin mad at your parents)</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

7

<p>Cinnamon, this is going to be a hard time for you. But you seem like a spunky, strong girl and I believe you will have the strength to get though this. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Oh Cinnamon, I'm so sorry to hear about this latest development! </p>

<p>We parents here on the Prep School board have been following your situation with pleasure - you have been doing a terrific job managing the entire process from the very first, and (although it probably doesn't make any difference to you now and won't make the pain go away) I am absolutely positive that the clearsightedness and intelligence and eager pursuit of education that came shining through in each of your posts will serve you well wherever you end up next year or in the future. REALLY - you are a terrific young person, you haven't done anything wrong, and you're doing your family proud.</p>

<p>I agree with Jonathan's post, by the way. Clearly it isn't going to work out for applying this year, but "No" today may not be "No" next autumn. You don't have to completely write off the possibility of a boarding school experience. Keep it active and perhaps your parents' will be able to change their mind about it for next year or even the year after that.</p>

9

<p>I'm extremely sorry Cinnamon. I hope things will get better for you, and I'm sure they will! Good luck!</p>

10

<p>I also agree with Nelly's suggestion of writing a letter. My friend from Andover Summer Session wrote her parents a letter and are finally letting her apply this year for 10th grade.</p>

<p>Don't give up! If this year boarding school doesn't work out, there's always GH, DCD, and Cranbrook.</p>

11

<p>Good luck to you! I hope day schools are still an option, and that these work out for you. I had dinner last summer with 2 Cranbrook graduates, and they both spoke highly of their school. Both have successful careers with Harvard educations. Well, that's all I know about Cranbrook. Let us know what happens!</p>

12

<p>"Sheesh, what sort of parents do you have?!"</p>

<p>Cinnamon,</p>

<p>Maybe they just really love having you around and as the process came closer they became more nervous about not having you there each day. Also, I don't know what your specific situation is, but if the whole private school/boarding school world is new to your folks, it could be really scary for them. I know that some parents worry that their children will make richer, smarter friends and will view their families as "not good enough". Maybe if you could get them to explain more about why they've gotten cold feet, we could help you to come up with some strategies for helping them to be more comfortable with the idea.</p>

<p>Depending on where you are applying, it's not too late. Some schools accept students right into the summer.</p>

13

<p>Cinnamon,</p>

<p>I can relate my own experiences with D2 who we decided to let board in her initial semester at BS. We tried it for the first few months and then found we missed her too much, and since being a day student at the same school was an option for us we switched to that. I believe that she got the best of both worlds. There is a lot to be said for those talks we had on the rides to/from school. College and going away is going to happen soon enough...we parents are selfish sometimes with that in mind. I know a lot of parents on here have made the decision to let their kids board knowing what a great education they will be getting. Suffice it to say that each and everyone of them has had to go through the process your folks are going through albeit not necessarily with the same results. There is no clear cut answer and what is right for one family may very well be wrong for the next. I hope that you and your family are able to reach a consensus and enjoy the holiday season. You still have time to work this out, and you sound like a great level headed kid. In my experience, that probably means you have some level headed bright parents as well.... apples don't usually fall too far from the tree, LOL. </p>

<p>GL</p>

14

<p>sbergman:</p>

<p>Well, I find it quite unfair that her parents would lead her through 3/4 of the application process and then simply pull the plug on the whole thing. Why would the get her hopes up? If they think they'd miss her to much, why didn't they pause to think about it BEFORE they gave the "O.K." for her to apply?</p>

<p>I'm sure they love you very very much, Cinnamon, and the fact that you WONT be around is one of their reasons to say no. But they could have saved you alot of energy and happiness if they just told you it wouldn't be an option from the beginning.</p>

15

<p>It might not mean much, but I went to Andover for 3 years, now I'm at Loomis, and lemme tell you:</p>

<p>It's nothing special.</p>

<p>My whole family has gone to prep school, I've been to prep school all my life, it's a boost for college admissions but trust me, public school kids have a lot more fun. </p>

<p>Get a high GPA, do some extracurriculars, and enjoy yourself. You'll look back on this and realize it didn't mean anything.</p>

16

<p>Why did you transfer to Loomis?</p>

17

<p>Cinnamon!!!!!!! Come back</p>

18

<p>I don't think Cinnamon is coming back. <em>sob sob</em></p>

19

<p>noooooooo!!!!</p>

20

<p>Cinnamon, </p>

<p>I can 1/2 relate to what you're going through. My mother at the beginning of the process (in southern CT) said no, no, no. We went to 2 visits then all of a sudden yes. It's a great place. It'll be great. I'll visit you every weekend. Then in early October a move was confirmed. We're moving to Chicago. My mom had a change of heart. Back to no, no, no. My dad still said yes but mom said no. Lots of fights, bickering, etc. but in the end i was still able to visit the last 4 schools on my list. But my mom is still shunning the idea and it is really hard to talk about it, but keep trying. I'm going to apply. At least apply. If you get rejected from all of them, there is no decision. If you're accepted at a few, your parents may see that you have the capability to be at a BS.
Like someone said earlier, write a letter. Be sure to include all the positives of BS but don't deny the negatives.</p>