<p>Hello, aaralyn here again, seeking more advice from my fellow CC-ers. :)</p>
<p>So unfortunately, I have not been moved off any waitlists, and doors are closing one by one. On waitlist threads here, I've read that both Deerfield & Exeter are full, and Hotchkiss sent me an email stating they could not move me off the waitlist at this time. So now I'm looking into one of my other options - rolling admissions schools. I've done some research, and out of the rolling admissions schools I particularly like Northfield Mount Hermon, Peddie, Cate, Thacher, Kent, and Berkshire. </p>
<p>I plan to send out an email to the schools above with a 1-2 page word document summarizing my achievements and interests, sort of like my post on the 'chance me' thread, but I'm not sure how to tell them about my predicament right now. Should I mention that I have been waitlisted at all my other choices, or just leave that out for now? Other than attach my 'resume' or sorts, what else should I tell them about me? Any ideas?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance,
aaralyn :)</p>
<p>EDIT: Just in case anyone was wondering, yes, I am a full pay student.</p>
<p>Exeter is full? Really? Does that mean they are not taking anybody off the waiting lists this year? Sorry, I was waitlisted for Exeter so I was just wondering :)</p>
<p>First off, I wouldn’t bother with Thacher. As someone just posted in another thread, Thacher has a “ridiculously high yield” - in other words, virtually everyone who is extended an offer accepts it. It would take nothing short of a miracle to find a space there. I don’t know about Cate and Peddie, but I’d be surprised if they encouraged further applications at this time. No harm in asking, though! (You might also want to take a look at Masters School, in New York State. And both George School and Westtown, in Pennsylvania. And perhaps Holderness in NH?)</p>
<p>Second, keep your email short and to the point:</p>
<p>“I am wondering if you are still accepting applications for next year’s 9th (or 10th or whatever) grade. I have already taken the SSAT (or TOEFL or whatever) and am prepared to submit an application immediately. I would not be requiring financial aid.”</p>
<p>The only other thing to add, if it would not be evidence from your name, would be your gender. That’s it - short and to the point. The answer would likely be “yes, we have openings” or “no, not at present, but we’d be happy to add you to our waitlist if you submit an application.” If you get the waitlist response, you might want to inquire further as to the likelihood of space becoming available. If it’s yes, be prepared to submit an application promptly. No personal details - just a brief inquiry.</p>
<p>And I’d strongly suggest you take a really good look at [Boarding</a> School Review](<a href=“Boarding School Search Results”>Boarding School Search Results) and see if there are any other schools you might want to submit an inquiry to. If you really wouldn’t want to attend a school, then don’t bother with an inquiry . . . but do broaden your search to see what other schools are out there that you might like.</p>
<p>Oh yes, and don’t limit your inquiry to “rolling admissions” schools. Any school will be happy to accept a late application if it still has space!</p>
<p>Also, Asheville School in Asheville, NC. I’ve visited Asheville. They have a beautiful campus on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, strong traditional academic program and are in Asheville, NC which is much nicer than most of the other schools’ locations and is a regional center for the arts. There’s even a mountaineering program. I really liked the headmaster, and everyone was very friendly!</p>
<p>The last time I spoke with someone at Asheville, they weren’t certain they’d be taking any late applications this year . . . but it’s certainly worth an inquiry! Asheville is a really special community. (To find out more about it, do a search in Prep School Admissions for “Ashville” . . . . yep, the best thread about this wonderful school has the school name misspelled!)</p>
<p>@dodgersmom; I know the chances with Thacher are very slim, but I really want to try, especially for that school. I was first attracted to that school during my first days of searching for a boarding school for its unique equestrian program, as I am am a passionate rider. Like a lot of naive first-time applicants, I unfortunately ruled out the school because of its lack for prestige… But my point was I would be completely ecstatic to attend a school with an equestrian program, so yeah. Wait, would me already being a rider be a hook for Thacher, since they go as far as to require freshman to take equestrian courses? Anyway, thank you for your suggestions and I will look into those three schools, along with the Boarding School Review link. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>@laughalittle; Really? Well, that’s interesting, and I will check out the school’s website and do some research. Thanks for the suggestion.</p>
<p>@kraordrawoh; The school sounds amazing and I will look into it, but both me and my family prefer schools in NE because we have friends and family there, and because we are somewhat familiar with the area. Thanks though!</p>
<p>You might also want to check with Stevenson in Pebble Beach. My older daughter applied there a few years ago and was admitted, but chose to stay at home. My impression was that their admissions process might be a little more fluid.</p>
<p>Try calling Blair Academy. Wonderful school and very competitive this year(admitted about 28% this year). Even so, I know that they are usually willing to at least entertain a handful of late applicants, assuming you are a very strong student, and they feel you would fit well into the Blair community. The Dean’s name is Ryan Pagotto. I went to Blair many years ago. It was the best educational experience of my life and it is an even better school today. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thacher - Definitely contact them to see if they have space . . . but a “hook” won’t get you in if there’s no space. :(</p>
<p>Stevenson is in Pebble Beach, California.</p>
<p>Both George School and Asheville (recommended above) have equestrian programs. As do Fountain Valley School (in Colorado) and Ojai Valley (in California). (Sorry, not New England!) You can do a search on the Boarding School review link I posted above - just go to the drop-down menu for “sports” and select “equestrian,” that will give you all schools with equestrian programs.</p>
<p>I’d second the suggestion above to look at Blair . . . no horses, though.</p>
<p>If my child were full pay, the first schools I would contact would be Blair, Mercersburg and Kent. Kent has a fine equestrian program, btw. The primary reason I mention these three is because I have visited all of them and very seriously considered them for my son. You might call Hill school as well. It’s a very nice place, but my son just didn’t click when he visited so he didn’t apply. Those are about all with whom I have personally looked into for my children. I believe other parents have also given you a good place to start.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you are a boy or a girl, but…The Madeira School is an all girls school with an equestrian program. Their website says they have rolling admissions.</p>
<p>enzomoon, dodgersmom, neatoburrito;
Thank you so much for all of your suggestions and advice! I have emailed all the possible rolling admissions school I have been considering. Surprisingly, more than half of them have replied already. Blair’s was fortunately one of the most optimistic, stating that my application would be reviewed and a decision would be made based on availability. enzomoon, it’s good to hear that Blair was a good school even years ago, because I’ve read online that it’s made some major improvements recently. Thacher seems like a dead end, the director of admissions directly stated that they would be full in the fall, and that I could apply but ‘the odds are not good’. Kent replied that I would be applying for a spot on the waitlist and Peddie replied that I could apply & my application would be read on a rolling admissions basis, but they don’t know yet about their yield for the first round of admission. So basically right now my top choices for rolling admissions schools have been narrowed down to Blair and Peddie. I will now go do some more research about all the schools mentioned above and hopefully find a couple that I like! Thanks again for all of the comments. :)</p>
<p>@momb2k; I have not yet considered any all-girls schools because I really REALLY prefer co-ed, but if it comes to that, I will look into the Madeira School. Thanks for the suggestion!</p>
<p>Good for you!! You’ll be very impressed by Blair. A rigorous, yet VERY nurturing school with(in my opinion) the most student centered and involved faculty of any school with which I am familiar. Blair has always been known for its warm, family like feel. Visit and I think you will agree.</p>
<p>I accomplished more than I ever thought possible professionally and I owe it all to Blair. I blossomed academically and socially while at Blair and I developed a real appetite for learning. Ultimately, I chose medicine as a career and I now practice at the Mayo Clinic. Of all the educational institutions I attended, Blair was the most formative and positive environment I encountered. Good luck!!</p>
<p>@enzomoon; Eeep now I’m really excited to start my application! If I may ask, what college did you end up going to? And wow, it probably wasn’t easy going through med school, right? xD Anyway, I shall start the app first thing after I get back from school tomorrow. I hope they have interesting essay topics! :D</p>
Thacher seems like a dead end, the director of admissions directly stated that they would be full in the fall, and that I could apply but ‘the odds are not good’. 
Kent replied that I would be applying for a spot on the waitlist and Peddie replied that I could apply & my application would be read on a rolling admissions basis, but they don’t know yet about their yield for the first round of admission. So basically right now my top choices for rolling admissions schools have been narrowed down to Blair and Peddie. I will now go do some more research about all the schools mentioned above and hopefully find a couple that I like! Thanks again for all of the comments. :)</p>
If I may ask, what college did you end up going to? And wow, it probably wasn’t easy going through med school, right? xD Anyway, I shall start the app first thing after I get back from school tomorrow. I hope they have interesting essay topics! :D</p>