<p>I am wondering what I can do to help my parents accept the idea of boarding school as the right choice for me. Currently I would probably not even be allowed to apply. I really want to go to a school wit great opportunities and I have expressed this, but I am still not understood at all. Advice please?</p>
<p>Here’s an idea: start with attending a boarding summer camp, an example of which is the 3 week CTY summer program, where many talented kids together take an advanced (often college level) course. Share that experience with your parents. If/when they see how you have enjoyed it, how much you have learned and how you could take care of yourself, they may be open to the idea of boarding school. Is money a concern here?</p>
<p>I actually already attend a sleepover camp for about 4 weeks every summer (and I have for 4 years) so I think my parents know that I am super responsible. As for the money part of it, my parents think money is part of the problem but that is because they refuse to look at Andover’s website, even though I 've tried to explain their blind-need program. I think what’s bothering them is they feel I am not happy at home so I feel like I need to leave, but it isn’t that at all I just want to take opportunities when I can.</p>
<p>I’m not a parent (i’m a prospectus, like you)</p>
<p>It took me SIX months of begging, pleading, bribing, and powerpoint presentations. SIX MONTHS. Even now, she’s making me do everything and says that if my grades drop, she’ll withdraw everything… I know she’s only this anal about letting me apply because she’s scared of letting go, yadda yadda. She understands now about the financial aid policies (again. hours of explaining, they never want to hear it at first, but if you persist, aka at the beach, in the car, at the supermarket… very random times, they give in eventually) and how many great ECs/clubs/facilities/TEACHERS/PEOPLE these schools have. She’s reluctant, but she sees the light!!</p>
<p>Anyways, it took me forever and I thought it was hopeless at first (me: boarding school, her: bs = military school e_e) but I managed to persuade her. Anyways, she’s completely clueless with technology so the website was a lost cause. I say order the viewbook and let your parents take a look, and persist on explaining the need-blind program! That was my mom’s main concern too: money, but after a while, she understood. :D</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>cake_dolls, I am in the same situation as you!</p>
<p>DiveAlive, I really need advice 
I made a PowerPoint and a video (from Windows). Would you mind taking a look?</p>
<p>can you send me the powerpoint too?</p>
<p>I would also like a look at the powerpoint if you don’t mind. It seems like a good idea. I am a little scared to bring up the topic of bs again however because I always feel like a really ungrateful person after I do it. My parents do not want to hear about any of it. I am not sure how to bring it up again. Is it a bad idea to just bring up the idea with my dad (he is slightly calmer about the topic) first?</p>
<p>I sent it to you :)</p>
<p>Wow, this is getting kind of strange. cake_dolls, you are in the EXACT SAME situation I am! My parents don’t want to hear about it either. I was scared to bring it up again, but I secretly brought the topic up again with my dad–who is also the calmer one ;)</p>
<p>Urbanflop, I PM’ed you and cake_dolls.</p>
<p>Just make sure to emphasize the financial aid and try to list famous alumni. My mom was seriously impressed by the matriculation, so if you haven’t, add that in. I also mentioned the low acceptance rates so that it wasn’t like, if I apply, you’re guaranteed to lose me (honestly, i’m not sure if i even have a chance but it wouldn’t hurt to try!)</p>
<p>@ cake_dolls: I know! Whenever I mentioned it, my mom would get really distracted and try to get away from me as fast as humanly possible, but if you mention it a lot, in short bursts (don’t anger them TOO much). She’s gotten super frustrated with me, but it’s all worth it. :)</p>
<p>I also … exaggerated the “badness” of my local public high school (it’s bad enough, mmk?). There is no comparison between the two and I made sure my mom knew that. XD</p>
<p>Good luck, you two! Hopefully we’ll all meet up at Exeter’s revisit next year. ; )</p>
<p>My parents were a little shaky at first but then came along. You just have to talk to them seperately or the other parent will influence the other. And like others said constantly bringing it up helps. My parents thought I just wanted to get away from the house and they thought that my public school was really good but unfortunately not anymore. It takes a lot of convincing but its worth it! They still won’t let me apply to schools like Peddie and Lawrenceville because they are too far away.</p>
<p>My son is going away in a few months…and it is hard to let your child go. Focus on the opportunities–athletic, academic, musical (whatever applies to your situation). Parents want the best for their kids!!! And remind them that your breaks–Christmas, spring, summer–are MUCH longer so you will be home a lot.</p>
<p>My son is completing week 5 of a 6 week summer BS program and will be home in 169.75 hours. </p>
<p>[sarcasm] I barely realized he was gone [/sarcasm]</p>
<p>Excluding all breaks, the 09-10 school year is 7 month long. Still a good part of the year away from home, but it’s nothing like she got married and moved to a different part of the country, and you only see her once every two years on Christmas.</p>
<p>True, I will try to find a schedule of the 09-10 school year and show it to my parents I’ve already included the general opportunities in my PowerPoint, though.</p>
<p>(@boarderkid) The powerpoint was really really good. Thanks so much:) What grade are you applying to anyway? Im applying to 9th.</p>
<p>You could include “The Truth About Boarding Schools” in you rpresentation. Find it here:</p>
<p>[TABS</a> - The Association of Boarding Schools | tabs.org | boardingschools.com](<a href=“http://www.boardingschools.com/]TABS”>http://www.boardingschools.com/)</p>
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<p>Most 14 year olds are not privy to details of their parent’s income and assets. For many families, if not most, the schools will think you can afford more than the family thinks the can. For most it means financial sacrifice and making the school a priority in family spending.</p>
<p>Schools will look at your home equity and expect you to take a second mortgage, they expect your family will give up vacations and dinners out. Parents have to want this as much as their children in most cases.</p>
<p>@ urbanflop: I’m glad it helped! I’m applying as a sophomore.</p>
<p>Thanks, Kaileigh. How do I put it in a PowerPoint?</p>
<p>Does anyone else agree with hmom5? It seems a bit harsh, but it may be true…</p>
<p>I hope thats not what they think because we need a generous amount of financial aid</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>Can more parents post on this thread? What “sold” you to let your children apply to BS–especially if you need financial aid?</p>