<p>So I was a little late on getting the process started this year for boarding school, so I'm going to have to wait for the 09-10 school year.</p>
<p>I was wondering what should I start doing now?
Like when should I start researching schools, visiting ones I can, filling out applications, taking the SSAT, etc...? Anyone have like a timeline type thing to explain things? Lol.</p>
<p>Also, this is just a random question but have any of you read "The It Girl" series? Because there is a boarding school in that series, and I was wondering if it was based on a real school?</p>
<p>Each school website has their timeline posted. Most have deadlines for receiving all information by Jan 15. </p>
<p>My niece started looking for BS for 10th grade in March. This forum, boardingschoolreview.com, and Private Secondary Schools book have been helpful getting started. She literally received look books from schools within days of filling out Inquiry Foms. I'd suggest starting with that because it seemed to help her at least see the range of options. Next, she made a list of questions and sent emails to schools, which the schools have pleasantly been answering. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Now, she is trying to prioritize schools for visits during the summer. </p>
<p>A lot of information to go through, so best of luck!</p>
<p>Some schools will allow you to visit now through around mid-May or so without having an interview. If you have not visited boarding schools, I think this is a good things to do now. It will help you prioritize your search criteria. Certainly, it is not necessary to do this, but I think it's helpful if you live near any schools.</p>
<p>Take time during the summer to research schools and prep for the SSAT. You can also go to TABS:</a> The Association of Boarding Schools and review the components of the common application. You might write an essay or 2 from the common ap topics. These topics are typical of what most schools ask. You can put together a fact sheet listing your accomplishments and awards in academics, arts & sports. Most applications will ask for this information. </p>
<p>If you are a good test taker, see if there is an Oct. administration of the SSAT close to where you live. If yes, it's good to take an early administration so you know where you stand plus you can get it out of the way. </p>
<p>Most schools will start conducting interviews around Oct. 1st. In general, you can schedule your interviews in August or earlier in many cases. If you schedule early, you will have your pick of dates and minimize missed school. Try to finish your interviews by November so you can focus on writing applications and requesting recommendations. Try to finish your applications during Christmas break. Once you submit your applications, follow up with every school until you know that they have received all the components. </p>
<p>Trust me, as a family that started late (but ultimately achieved a successful outcome), the time you spend between now and September will be very useful!</p>
<p>Auntie: seems like your niece is in a good spot and starting early! However, just remember that while school visits over the summer will give her a sense of what the schools look like, it won't be the same as being there when the students are there. But, if it is just for a first visit, then she will interview on a second visit, that can be useful.</p>
<p>We started early like you. We got a lot of LookBooks in the Spring from the schools and narrowed down out lists. In the fall we did call early and get interviews in October. My D took the December SSAT, gave teachers their recommendation forms over Christmas break and worked on her application essays. The due dates were January 15th and January 31st. Finishing and photographing an art portfolio took a lot of time and so did developing a dance audition piece. Writing essays can be like pulling teeth for some kids, so start each one with plenty of time. </p>
<p>The schools we applied to also had parent statements to write and sometimes had coach recommendations, minister recommendations, and health forms that had to be given to the correct person and gathered back up before the time was up.</p>
<p>The FInancial Aid process has its own deadlines and we got our taxes done in January. I spent a fair amount of time calculating affordability by reading alot online and using college calculators. We had to fill out the common financial aid form and then each school had its own requirements for additional information.</p>
<p>For schools that seem promising early on, overnight visits can sometimes be arranged that give a fuller view of residential and academic life. A couple schools had coffees where prospective parents could mingle with current parents.</p>
<p>I sent all applications certified mail so I could be sure they were received. I checked to make sure all the applications were complete (teachers recs were sent, transcripts etc.) Then we waited around for March 10th.</p>
<p>Good Luck in the process. It was an intense process for us, mostly because we knew the biggest issue, affordability, was outside our control.</p>
<p>Definitely start prepping for SSAT's from now. Even if it's just studying vocab. And get in some extra reading.
Some of the boarding school websites have a 'Required' or 'Suggested' Summer Reading List. You could probably get your hands on some of those books for the summer :)</p>
<p>you've gotten some great advice -- is there time and money available for her to do a summer program at a boarding school? quite a few schools offer summer programs and it would give her a taste of BS (plus it might be a slight tip during the application process since it would show she was ready to spend time away and she might get a teacher rec in the bargain).</p>
<p>im also in the same spot, and some good things to do are scheduling interviews over the summer after you've narrowed your schools down to (i recommend) 10 or less, preferably less (of course, if you're going to use the common application for all the schools that allow them which will likely be most, it shouldn't be too much of a problem if you go over 10)
anyways. inquire. and interview. two things to think about :D</p>
<p>(ps. some schools require the interview AFTER sending in your applications. 95% of schools don't do that, they require one between Sep-Dec (or August, maybe) instead, or January if there really is no time)
just to let you know :D i would suggest a lot of schools, but my list is changing so I'm not sure what to recommend. Choose a couple of TSAO schools (ten schools admission organization) but don't make them your applying list, because they're still very elite and hard to get into, and no you're not always "bound to get into one of them applying for all of them"</p>
<p>I second the idea of not visiting over the summer because you are seeing the shell of the school or a school occupied by summer schoolers. Spring is a good time for casual visits, but please make sure it is not exam week or the days right before. You should take the SSAT for the first time no later than November, but do not do interviews before October and finish them by mid-December. In September both your child and the schools are still settling in. If possible, schedule your visits for school days, during class hours for the best feel. When scheduling, ask the person on the other day if that will be the case. Of course, some schools hold surprise holidays...</p>
<p>We requested catalogs in September. (Some were not available yet). Set up a trip for flying up there and arranged in advance interviews at four schools (this visit was first weekend of October). Took SSAT in late October or early November, can't remember which. In early December added another school and flew up there and interviewed. Handed out teacher recs a couple weeks before Christmas vacation. Applications and parent statements, etc., done over Christmas vacation. </p>
<p>It was a little too compressed, for sure. But mostly only in the sense that the applications could have been started over Thanksgiving. The rest worked out fine. But my daughter only saw 5 schools and applied to all 5. We had a general sense of the area and the kind of school she wanted. So if you have to weed out a lot of places, you probably need to start visiting earlier, unless you just can't.</p>
<p>We have a son who tends to wait until the last minute to get things done (thus the need for a school with more structure and required study halls), we started applications over Thanksgiving. Worked on them again over Christmas. But, in typical fashion, was cranking them out just a few days before the deadline...in fact one was the DAY before the deadline (although it was a late addition to our list so that wasn't really his fault).</p>
<p>Our time line was pretty much the same as the others with the exception of our late additions of 2 visits in early January.</p>
<p>okay, when would be a good time to schedule interviews if you're an intl student? Most schools with big names (ie. andover, sps, choate etc) will likely have an alum here but I mean lesser known schools that require a carefully planned out interview.
I'm going to apply for more than 7 schools (but definitely less than 10) and I plan to write each application separately (call me stupid, but I'm doing it anyways) so I'm really big on time management right now. Since all the "materials" will arrive in the fall as well as apps on the internet, I can manage the essays, but my worry is the interviews. I can't afford to miss school because three days worth of interviews would mean more than a week's loss of school, and that would be just flying in, interviewing and flying out which is HORRIBLE (imagine the interview. "what's your name" "........ zzz")
Xmas break is an option, but is it possible to go during Thanksgiving? </p>
<p>I'm not sure Christmas break OR Thanksgiving are options because the schools are on break.<br>
I do know that many of the "lesser known" schools have admissions officers (not alumni) that travel internationally for interviews. Check with the schools.</p>
<p>Many internationals have to interview and visit over the summer because it is the most convenient time. Compare your school's vacation schedule to the schedule of your top choice schools. You may have a long vacation when boarding schools are in session. Also, when does your school start and end? There may be some overlap there. I think the 10 Schools Organization visits China. The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) has a large school fair that goes to cities in Asia TABS:</a> 2008 Asia Schools Fairs. If there is a list of schools posted for this fair, I think it will grow as the event gets closer. </p>
<p>In general, the long boarding school breaks are Thanksgiving, Christmas and 3 weeks in March.</p>
<p>I was also wondering about scheduling interviews during the summer. Right now my youngest daughter has 18(!) schools on her list--there is no way we can visit all of them in the fall. Most of the schools have interns working during the summer, so at least we would get one student's perspective while on the tour.</p>