<p>I've noticed that almost everyone is mostly interested in bs in the east. Of course, there are better choices and a LOT more choices, too. Although Thacher, Cate, Webb and very rarely, Stevenson, do get mentioned in this forum, why do they seem to be less popular than the bs in the east coast? Just wondering...</p>
<p>In my opinion (not based on fact), the BS on east coast are much more prestigious, which means they're more well known, which means more kids apply, which means more popularity. </p>
<p>Also the schools are bigger on the east coast. 600-1,000 vs. 300-500. </p>
<p>Plus we all know we have the second best city in the US, New York. </p>
<p>Chicago's #1</p>
<p>psh. New York's the bomb!</p>
<p>I think there are 3 factors at work. And it's not just west coast vs. east coast; It's the northeast vs. all other areas. I changed east coast to northeast because boarding school is not that common in the southeast.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The northeast has the oldest most established names.</p></li>
<li><p>As a practical matter, when people tour they tend to pick a geography plus whatever might be available closer to home. Given the many options in the northeast, most will pick this area to tour.</p></li>
<li><p>There is a stronger tradition and acceptance of students going to boarding school in some areas of the northeast. I think this is especially true of the New England states and some sections of major metropolitan areas. Given the choices closer to home, people from the northeast tend to look in the northeast.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>yes, very true Burb Parent. I applied to schools in the Northeast because one of them was the perfect match for me, and I am ecstatic to say that I got accepted, and the other was my back-up. I was waitlisted at my back-up but I am refusing this offer. I feel that the distance from my home to the boarding schools was a factor for my parents. I had no problem with being farther from them, but for their sakes, I chose New England BS's.</p>
<p>Hmm,
I chose the New England boarding schools because I lived in New Jersey for 12 years, and I need all four of my seasons :D
Also, it's most comfortable for me, because I am living overseas right now, and I know many people in the New England boarding schools, whereas I don't know anyone at the western schools.</p>
<p>haha! :D
stupid ten characters</p>
<p>No one has mentioned the cost of airfare and transportation. Thacher is not easy to get to...even on the West Coast. Cate is 45 minutes from the Santa Barbara airport if the there is no traffic on the freeway. Webb is near Ontario airport. None are within a short drive of LAX. That being said...Thacher and Cate are great schools. Webb has too much of an LA influence for my tastes.</p>
<p>Go Chi-town!!</p>
<p>I agree about the costs! We spent so much money just getting there and getting from one school to another was a great big hassle! All the schools were great but d didn't like the "laid back feel" although I certainly didn't mind.</p>
<p>I would certainly have applied for west coast schools except for a few things</p>
<p>1) getting there, plane fare is a lot and there would be no "I'm missing my family, so I'll just get on the train and go home this weekend"
2) I would assume that there is a big LA student population
3) I would really appreciate a laid back setting, but my mom thinks that for me good weather=doing less work. It's probably true too. I'm also not allowed to apply to california universities</p>
<p>scrocks, do you live in chicago?</p>
<p>First, some of the NE boarding schools were founded before California was even a state.<br>
From what I understand from talking to some administrators at a boarding school in Washington State, the mindset about boarding schools in the West is very different. People view them more as the sterotype of "sending your kid away" and for the kid "in trouble." I've heard some of those opinions and seen posts from parents who have also heard them.<br>
That said, I think there is not the tradition and history of the schools that there is in the East.<br>
Then, as far as kids from the East going West...I think all of the above mentioned reasons apply. We had a 2-3 hour range that we were willing to let our son apply to. Of course, that didn't narrow down the options too much, but it certainly kept us in NE and NY.</p>
<p>interesting... bumpity bump</p>
<p>I think that Stevenson and Cate are the equal of any on east coast -- especially by their matriculations, they may even be better. But high % of day students. Also campuses are not as "old" and built up (however, lying on a hammock on your balcony at Cate looking over the Pacific is not bad)</p>
<p>I must tell you all, being a California native, boarding schools are not part of the SoCal lifestyle as they appear to be in the east. I live in a community that has won the National Academic Decathalon many times in the last ten years, and when I mention boarding school to anyone, they are truly baffled. Parents can't comprehend wanting their children to leave home early. Children don't want to go away from their families and friends. And maybe the weather plays a part in it also. As for people sending their problematic children to Cate, Thacher, and Webb, no, completely wrong. I think we would look for a place in Utah or Florida for that.</p>
<p>East or West, if we had public or day schools nearby that could provide what BS can provide I wouldn't be on this forum. Our public school's funding is fading annually and the private day schools nearby are 'ok' but not great. We have West Coast family with Cate experience, and while it was discussed previously we never took it that seriously as an option because of the distance and transportation expenses.</p>
<p>We were looking for the best of both worlds: D could live in her academic community which she really wanted, and we would be nearby and not have to give her up. So, despite D's protests that we allow her to consider her initial favorite which was over three hours away, we restricted our BS research to schools less than 2 hours away. We want to go there weekly or monthly for games, performances, etc. </p>
<p>If I lived on the West Coast, I'd send her there, but I'd probably have a bigger radius. We were able to choose among at least 10 schools.</p>
<p>My D's likely BS choice is >3 hours away. I wish it were closer. We did the drive for revisit day. It was long. We are hoping other students from nearby are also attending so we can rideshare. But that won't make it much easier to go watch weekend games, at least home games. </p>
<p>I am trying to focus on the positives. I really like roadtripping 1 on 1 with D. We listen to the songs on her iPod that she selects specifically for shock value. The songs are disgusting. She finds it hilarious to make me listen to them.</p>