Do day students have a higher chance of being accceped into GLADCHEMMS schools?
It may vary by school but at most BS, we were told it’s easier to get in as a boarder. It mostly comes down to the fact that most BS have very small day student cohorts, so it’s really hard to get one of those spots.
The school I’m concerned about has a 25% day student ratio, and it’s hard for me to believe that 1 of every four applicants is a potential day student.
What schools? It’s hard for people to give advice if they don’t know the situation 
I’m most concerned about PA, PEA, and MX
Do you live in one of the few overlapping towns that both PA and PEA allow one to apply as a day student? If not, the question is academic.
If you ask the individual schools, they will tell you that your chances of acceptance will not be different if you apply as a day student vs. a boarding student. Here, you may get a story of a student or 2 who was rejected as a boarding student, but was told s/he would be offered a place as a day student. However, the plural of anecdote is not data.
If there is any difference in acceptance rates, it’s unlikely to be statistically significant. If the overall acceptance rate is 13% and one of the subgroups is 15%, it’s still difficult to get in no matter how you parse it.
I live in a town that allows me to be a day student in MD and Andover, but my cousin lives in a place that lets him attend Exeter as a day student.
I was told Andover is harder to get in as a boarder but again, that is anecdotal. Ask your AO there. They will give you advice and since you are in a commutable town, you may even be able to verbally agree to take a spot as Day or boarding.
At Phillips Academy, statistically the ratio of day and boarding acceptances might be similar. Practically, kids in surrounding towns have a good idea of what it takes to be accepted, and don’t bother applying unless they believe they have a reasonable chance of admission. So the applicant pool might be stronger.
What does that mean for you? Nothing! They will accept 100% of GoldSilvers, or 0%. The only way to find out if the school will accept you is to apply for yourself and see what happens.
@GoldSilver I thought you were from CT? Maybe I misread a prior thread.
It is harder for a day student to get into MX.
If you read their handbook (which I have done multiple times… obsessively…) they are very strict on their day student ratio and reading between the lines, you can come to the above conclusion.
Of course in the end what really matters is whether you would like to be a boarder or not. After applications, will you want to board? Getting into a school is only the first step.
I would also mention somewhere (most likely in your interview) that you are open to both boarding and day. Be sure to do so, since it could be taken into consideration while deciding upon your application (i.e. we can’t offer you a day spot, are you open to boarding, or vice versa).
I am from Connecticut. My grandmother lives in MA though, and I would live with her if I could go as a day student (my family thinks it’s a better option, but we don’t live near any schools).
@GoldSilver Recalling from your other posts that you are a swimmer, I just want to advise that being a day student could be a better option for you if you want to continue pursuing the sport outside the high school season.
Before committing your grandmother to this arrangement make sure she knows what she’s signing up for.
Driving 2-3 hours a day, six days a week.
Calling in favors to get you to school if she gets sick.
Dealing with a possibly stressed out kid for 4 years.
Late night pickups on days when you want to stay late for a party, play, or other event.
Never going away for the weekend during the school year.
Each of the schools you list are surrounded by pre-prep schools in the area. Students from those schools may have much higher admit rates than the official rate. In part that makes sense, as they are advised by placement counselors who steer them to appropriate schools.
Some schools count faculty children as day students, as they (generally) live with their parents on or near campus.
In the end, it doesn’t matter. The three schools you list are very selective. Explain your options and ask at interviews what your best choice would be.