DS got a call today from one of the schools asking him to provide them an answer whether he would consider being a boarder instead of day. He is an applicant for 11th grade which adds more complexity. School said they don’t “usually” admit day students at 11th.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with this - the word “usually” makes me think it’s possible but probably not preferable. Is this the right way to think of it?
As AO is asking for a response within 2 days. Does it mean that if DS declares his intention to stay a day student that it would mean a reject? What’s is the best way to answer this? Any advice is greatly appreciated,
I would assume there is not a position for him as a day student, but there is an opening for him as a boarder.
Part of it could be social, too. A boarder will be immersed in the culture of the school, whereas a day student would not be. It’s easier to keep a foot in both worlds as a day student–but that might make it harder to make the transition from one school to another.
It sounds like they will only say yes if he boards. I know that there were new students in DS’ class in sophomore and junior years and that they were all boarders. This is largely because it’s the easiest way to become part of a community that is already formed. Is your son interested in this option? If you’re feeling ambivalent, what are the rules around coming home on weekends? I know that when my son considered switching from day to boarding, they emphasized that they didn’t want him using the dorm bed only during the week…
So it does sound like the school is expecting a "yes, i will be a boarder’ answer. Are you or your child strongly against being a boarder? If yes, be open with the AO and ask what “usually” really means. If not, respond with a positive answer. Most likely he’s in.
Honestly, I would ask outright: “Will he not be accepted if he doesn’t want to board?”
Then, if the answer to that question is “we won’t accept him as a day student” then say yes, he’d consider being a boarder. It’s not a commitment yet and at least its an option.
How many schools did your son apply to? Where does this school fit in the pecking order of interest? Is it a more or less competitive school than his other applicants (just thinking if it can mean an indication that he might get other yeses) ?
I can see how it would be beneficial for an 11th grader to board. I think it has less to do with him being an athlete and more to do with an 11th grader becoming assimilated into school life quicker since there are so few new students for that grade.
This school is 2nd on his list. He completed applications to 7 schools (the others he didn’t complete as he decided it was this 6 he really wanted). This school is about in his top 3. I think that is good advice to just ask outright if he would not be accepted if he doesn’t want to board. I’ll advise him to try that. This school is consistently ranked one of the top schools in this forum, and seems to be a really good academic and athletic school. From a ranking order against the other schools he applied to, based on everything I’ve read, this school is probably #2 in selectiveness. I have heard that a lot of times, if the AO doesn’t see full commitment, they may pass on you to give the spot to others who are for sure yeses. Thanks for all your advice! I can’t wait for M10 - it’s killing me.
@SoccerMom2018 I remember from reading one of your other threads that you will be relocating to where your son goes to school. That could still work and could be the ideal situation if he boards. My kids boarded (100% boarding school) but we lived close by and I thought it was the best of both worlds. If my child was starting a new school at that age in a new area where he wasn’t from, I do think boarding would have a lot of benefits - social adjustment (dorm friends, bonding) , time savings (no commute), and ability to get involved in more on campus activities(long boarding school days).
Congrats on having this option and good luck with M10. I think your son will do well! His strong academic record and strong soccer skills make him a desirable candidate.
@sgopal2 - can you switch from boarder to day after the year is over? I guess I was thinking that it would be the same status through graduation. Thanks.
DD is a new boarding school Junior this year. I agree with the above comments that boarding is preferred by the schools for a new 11th grade student athlete. DD also applied to seven schools and was accepted to six. We don’t live close to any of the schools so she only applied as a boarder. In our experience, I believe the transition was very smooth because she is a boarder and able to assimilate into the community quickly. Also, IMO, 11th grade is the toughest year academically and I believe DD has benefitted from being able to take advantage of the enforced evening study hours and campus resources available practically 24/7 to keep up with the course load. She also received a call after the supposed “deadline” to interview via Skype as we added the school at the last minute. I believe the phone calls are a good sign and that you will have options on M10. I wouldn’t be surprised if other schools asked him to consider boarding. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and good luck!
Yes plenty of kids switch boarding status. In fact its much easier to switch from boarding to day, since they won’t need to find a bed. If your son makes his wishes known early in the year, then its fairly easy to be switched to day status.
In my son’s boarding school, I know of at least 10 kids who switched status (board>day or vice versa) over the last few years.
One of the boarding schools that we looked at that is in range for us to commute to said that they have 80 spots for boarding students and 20 for day students (my son is a 9th grade applicant, so a little different for you). We said we were having trouble deciding whether to apply to board or to be a day student, and the Admissions officer said that if we applied as day and they were running out of slots for day students, they might call us to see how we felt about switching to boarding. So, maybe they are seeing if they can shift you to boarding status?
Also, a few schools we looked at said that you can switch from day to boarding but not back the other way…I guess it depends on the school, but you might want to check on that before you commit!
This is the same post I made on another thread but thought it would be interesting for those following the admissions thread…
The process for DS has been very interesting and definitely educational. We decided to narrow down the school list. I don’t know about you but we felt it was a hardship to get all the recommendations from schools. Not all the teachers were accommodating. We had an initial 6 then added. So ultimately we didn’t complete the process for many of the schools.
For all who commented on my chance question - thank you. You were spot on - DS got accepted to 5 and wait listed in 2. Funny enough the 2 WLs are the least exciting from my perspective. From a soccer perspective, the WLs are in the middle maybe 5 and 6 rankings, so I was a bit surprised. The really good soccer programs want him, the bottom of the list also wants him, in fact they have been recruiting hard. It’s the middle of the road ones that don’t seem passionate. Any insight on that?
DS did get accepted to the school who called about moving from day to boarding - sure enough, as a boarder.
I now know what an athletic hook can do in terms of admissions, and it’s truly a differentiator. Similar to having a special musical talent, or a special skill!
Now that we have 5 to choose from, we are utterly confused! CC has been such a great resource.
Anyone interested to know more can PM me, especially if you have a soccer athlete who is applying next year. I’m happy to share our experience. If you also want to know what soccer differentiation looks like, I can share that too! As a parent new to BS, my experience is not as rich as others, but it may still help.
We are thrilled with the outcome, needless to say!
“It’s the middle of the road ones that don’t seem passionate. Any insight on that?”
They are concerned about yield management. They probably figured your son would have many other offers and would turn them down so they didn’t want to use an “accept” spot for them.
“I now know what an athletic hook can do in terms of admissions, and it’s truly a differentiator. Similar to having a special musical talent, or a special skill!” I would say even more so! If your son stays at the top of his game and does well academically, too, you are bound to see the same results at the college level. Our society greatly values athletic prowess therefore our academic institutions do as well.