<p>I was doing the final touches on my essay when my mom said "stop stressing out, [my name]. You won't get in. And if you do, you won't go because it's so expensive." I felt crushed inside. The only reason I wake up in the morning not crying, the only light at the end of my dark tunnel, basically my only reason to live - my dream of going to boarding school - was crushed. I burst into tears. I felt like giving up, and I still do. But I'm going for the .001% chance that I will be able to fulfill my dream. It makes no sense to give up now... Does it?</p>
<p>Please don’t give up on your dreams whether you go to boarding school or not. It is certainly not the only route to a happy and productive life! Even if life feels rough now, whatever is difficult in the teen years is temporary. Adulthood is not far off, and it lasts a long time. You will be able to make yourself a good life whatever happens now. Please don’t despair! I wish you all the best, and am sure the other parents reading your post do the same.</p>
<p>It kind of seems like your mom has been telling you all along that she’s not going to pay for boarding school. Am I right? (my memory is a little fuzzy) So I’m not really sure that she’s crushing your dreams as much as trying to get it through that she’s not paying for it so even if you get in, you can’t go. </p>
<p>It is folly to hyperfocus on one aspect of your life, in your case, going to boarding school. Sometimes, you have to make things happen, change your own situation and make the most of it. My daughter was faced with crushing waitlist after waitlist two years in a row. Did it depress her? Yeah, of course. But she pushed forward, took college classes, made a plan to just graduate high school at 15 and move on from there. Boarding school for her was part of her dream to get a top education without being the youngest kid in the building. But it wasn’t her entire dream. In the two years without boarding school, she still followed her dream; it just wasn’t easy or convenient. She was able to do this because at that point, bs wasn’t an option. It wasn’t giving up as much as facing reality. Then, some time in November of last year, she said that she would like to apply to at most, three schools, because she really didn’t want to start college so young.</p>
<p>I guess what I’m really trying to say to you, Dear, is don’t pin all your hopes and dreams on something that is largely out of your control (your parents paying for school), especially when they’ve made it pretty clear that they aren’t paying for it. Find some tangible goal that doesn’t depend on the actions of others. It’s easy to fall into a trap of “oh, if only…had happened, I would be happy.” This is not the attitude of successful people.</p>
<p>I hope everything works out for you and that you find happiness. I know that it just doesn’t seem fair some times. I wish your mother were supportive for your sake, but I don’t know her, don’t know her reasons, etc so I can’t really judge. It’s pretty obvious that you’re upset, however, and for that, I’m really sorry. Again, don’t pin your happiness on things that are largely out of your control.</p>
<p>triangles314, PLEASE read neatoburritos comment over and over. Try to understand what has been written to you. I personally wish you the best.</p>
<p>What schools are you applying to? Many schools have a lot of financial aid to give ONCE you get in (which you will). If the money is the problem to your mother, assure her that financial aid is available.</p>
<p>Thanks neatoburritto that is great advice and I can’t tell you how many times I read it. Could you PM me about your daughter’s high school experience finishing at 15? I have been seriously thinking about the same thing</p>
<p>And needtoboard, I’ll PM you about that. I don’t like sharing lots of information via internet</p>
<p>Triangles314, it’s ok to worry about outcomes. We don’t know your parents, but when a child is upset, many parents would worry a lot about sending that child away from home. </p>
<p>Looking at your other posts, it seems you’re not happy at your current school. If you’re about to enter high school, take heart. High school can be much more interesting than middle school. There are often more opportunities to explore interests in and out of the high school. Do a little online research about your local high school. What clubs does it offer? Is there a robotics club, a chess club, a newspaper, a band or orchestra? Such activities often allow kids to make friends with other kids with similar interests. </p>
<p>There are also online opportunities. If you feel bored because schoolwork is too easy, check out EdX. You can audit courses for free. You can start some courses at any time.<br>
Also look at the resources listed on the Davidson Institute website. (search online for Davidson Institute.)</p>
<p>Triangles314: Honestly, I’ve had moments just like this. My parents almost scrapped the app process for me completely. I was heartbroken, not to mention scared out of my mind. What is your primary worry? Is it the level of academic rigor that will be available to you? Is it the chance of starting over with new friends? Drive those points home. At the beginning of this process, I could only look at day schools. Now, I’m even applying to a school I a different state. The best way to handle things is to talk to your parents maturely. Try to avoid crying/breaking down. Show them that you’re ready for the more independent school lives. And explain that financial aid is available. Did you get your SSS results yet? Try and show them that they will get at least some money. I’m so sorry this is happening to you. I know it feels horrible. Sorry that this is one huge paragraph, but I’m on mobile.</p>