Drawing the line somewhere...

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
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<p>With our son we visited 12 schools. A variety - all within a pre-set distance from home (I think we said 2-3 hours). (All New England and one Eastern NY and 2 “top tier” schools)
He applied to 5. Accepted at 3, waitlisted at 2. First choice was an acceptance with a great FA package, so he did not stay on the waitlists (would have likely gotten in to at least one, based on info we got after). The school he is at is about 1 1/2 hours from home.</p>

<p>With my daughter, we are limiting it more. First, she participates in a sport that not all schools have. Second, we have found for us to go to sports, etc, longer than 1 1/2 hours would be tough. Third, we have more experience and don’t need to visit 12 again.</p>

<p>I have a differing opinion than those who say they will only make the sacrifice for a “top” school. I would say that 90%+ of independent schools can challenge every kid - you don’t need a “top” school to do that. And they all offer the many other benefits of the private school education. </p>

<p>so, to the original question - I don’t think you necessarily need a consultant, make a list of what is important to you and your child. Define the distance from home and stick to it. You will find MANY schools will fit that criteria. I would say to not limit to only the “top” schools. You may find that the school that is the perfect fit for your child is not on the short list. But it will challenge them and support them in all the right ways.</p>

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<p>Madaket- I think we were extremely lucky. When I realize how many kids failed to get into any school, I think we should have just considered more. For us, time, money for travel and distance was difficult (we are a midwest family). I would have like to have done MORE research, though I admit I spent countless hours on research.</p>

<p>My mom said years ago, d will be fine because I will work my but off to get her where she needs to be. She has always been right, but I have always worried.</p>

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<p>SevenDad – I think LindaS has good suggestions.</p>

<p>Please keep in mind that the people who populate this board had good placements. The unlucky ones tend to leave the board, or create a new user name and try again. As a result, you hear far more success stories than unhappy stories.</p>

<p>What is hard to understand is that the majority of applicants to the most competitive schools qualify for acceptance. As a result, it is possible to be a good candidate, including a full-pay candidate, and not receive any acceptances to the most competitive schools.</p>

<p>When son applied, we visited more schools than he actually applied to. You will find that a school can look great on paper, but not be a great fit. Some schools were eliminated after a visit. When the time came to write applications, he ranked the schools that interested him into 3 groups. In the end, he only applied to the top 2 groups. </p>

<p>There is something to be said for being in the top 25% or better of your class. When you visit, it would be wise to include some schools that place your daughter in the top 25% of applicants, but that are also great fits. Even if you are happy with your local options, your daughter may become enamored with the boarding life by the time she completes the process. It can be a big disappointment for a talented young person to not have any choices around March 10th. </p>

<p>If you are lucky to have great boarding schools within a 2-hour drive fro where you live, be certain to include some of these for visits. If your daughter ends up at one of these, you won’t regret it.</p>

<p>My son had 4 great years at Blair Academy, so if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask here or send a pm.</p>

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<p>Wow,</p>

<p>This brings back memories. We applied to 6 schools. Five were in the Ten-Schools list to minimize the stress on her school from having to fill out multiple forms (common apps are a blessing.) </p>

<p>Truly - here’s my caveat as an interviewer: Stats aren’t the whole picture. A child that “fits” with lower stats might trump someone who doesn’t fit but has high or perfect stats. Every school has a distinct personality and not all of it is evident in a view book.</p>

<p>So interviews and campus tours are key to letting an already weary admissions council see the “real” person behind the application. We completed 5 on-campus interviews (all conducted in one very long weekend to conserve airfare) and one alumni interview. </p>

<p>Cast a wide net, but honestly, it’s stressful to apply to a lots of schools. Some parents do 15 - 20 and it’s a burden on the home school to assemble that much data. So narrow to maybe 6-8.</p>

<p>I your daughter is a rising 9th and doesn’t make it, there is still another shot at 10th grade. Most students apply at 9th grade so the greatest potential is at that level. However a smaller number apply for 10th so the odds pick up a tiny bit even though there are fewer slots available. </p>

<p>Pick a range of schools she will be happy with. There is no such thing as a safety - the schools many call “Safeties” reject the vast majority of their applicants as well. But do include a few schools were your D is clearly in the top percentage of students based on her interests and stats. </p>

<p>Look for fit (common interests, similar types of students, range of experiences, diversity, etc.) then cross your fingers. But mostly, make sure your child is driving the ship. Schools are leary of students who are pushed to BS by parents and it’s easy to “appear” that way even if doesn’t apply in your case. If she appears to be pushing the process, she’ll come off better when the list of applicants is being winnowed down.</p>

<p>I told adcoms “I’m driving the rental, she’s driving the process.” </p>

<p>Let the true child, her interests, and accomplishments come through. And also maturity and growth as a person. They want smart kids - but they also want fun, interesting, human ones (smile).</p>

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<p>@ExieMITAlum: I love your line about driving the rental.</p>

<p>After our summer tour/interview blitz, I think my D is just as hazy as I am. I never thought we would consider more than 5 schools for her (much less apply to 5), but good options just keep popping up out of the woodwork. Why just yesterday, I got an unsolicited email from a friend of a friend who just happens to be the Admissions Director at a strong mid-Atlantic BS. So now that viewbook is on its way to our home.</p>

<p>Just to be clear (for those who may not have read other threads I’ve posted in), we have several strong day options (including her current K-12 school) if BS doesn’t work out. This cluster of schools isn’t super close (50 minutes each way), hence our exploration of boarding schools. But we could certainly live with the drive for a few more years…</p>

<p>Having the day back-up option is why I initially was thinking we’d visit 5 and apply to 3…and that’s exactly where we’d be if I stopped the process now. Again, sigh…</p>