<p>I've seen people say that this was important to them as a criteria when picking boarding school to explore.</p>
<p>If you are one of these people (whether a prospect, current student, grad, or parent)...I'd love to know why it matters.</p>
<ul>
<li>Is it the culture (art, music, museums, food, shopping, etc.) available in a big city?</li>
<li>Is it the convenience of flying into a major airport?</li>
<li>Is it something else?</li>
</ul>
<p>Also, if it is important to you, do you currently live close to a big city? Or perhaps live in the country and want more exposure to a big city?</p>
<p>I'm curious.</p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s the opportunity to get away for a little while. It’s the same thing as at home. I’m lucky to live 20 minutes away from Philadelphia, and 1.5 hours away from New York. I go to Philadelphia 7 days per week for dance, and it’s just nice to get away from the smallness of a wealthy, preppy suburbia.</p>
<p>It’s also for something to do. I can imagine that boarding school can get quite monotonous at times (though I might be wrong, considering I’ve never been.) Going to a city for the day is just a fun activity to do when there is time.</p>
<p>All of that being said, being situated close to a city is not even on my criteria. I spend half of my life at home in the city, and to be honest, it gets kind of boring. I would prefer to be close to a small town, so that I could go grab a coffee with friends, or by myself, when the “campus bubble” that I’ve heard a lot about gets to be too much and I just need a break.</p>
<p>Many rural BS’s will have access to a small town via shuttle or taxi where students can go hang out in restaurants or catch a movie. At academically rigorous BS’s, students generally do not have frequent, lengthy blocks of free time to go sightseeing and shopping.</p>
<p>Being near a major airport is a nice-to-have, but not really a necessity as the students only need to use an airport a few times per year, not everyday. Plus, most schools will organize transport to airports.</p>
<p>Rural BS’s tend to have more land, and therefore more expansive athletic offerings.</p>
<p>For boarding, location is an important consideration, but I think the “fit” of the school itself trumps everything else.</p>