Help with a list of schools?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Cafe
1

<p>These are not top tier, but I'm positive my parents wouldn't go for that. I am planning on applying for 11th grade. I don't plan on having a high success rate because of lack of spots for junior year applicants, but the most I can do is try. If anyone could help me narrow down my list, that would be great. I am in the Boston area and looking for a more prestigious, challenging school. I am not challenged at my current school and I'm looking for better academic opportunities, I am a straight-A student involved in theater, dance, volunteer work, crew and sailing. I'm looking for a day school, mostly, but might look into boarding if I got sufficient aid and if it was too far away to commute.</p>

<p>Thayer Academy (Braintree, MA): I'm pretty positive I will be accepted here, but the tuition is the same as many top schools so I would hope for FA. Yes, I'm aware (from reading posts on this board) it's thought of as "the public school you pay for" but it's better than my current school, which is private. </p>

<p>The Commonwealth School (Boston, MA): This seems like a really liberal school with strong academics and a diverse student body, which appeals to me. I've never seen it talked about on CC. The tuition is also expensive for my family, but they seem to give out a lot of FA. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Milton Academy: Milton is my #1, I would love love loooooove to go here. I would have to board though, as an 11th grade applicant. And it's expensive, so I'd need FA.</p>

<p>Tabor Academy (Marion, MA): I don't know much about Tabor. Any thoughts? I'd have tp board here, too. </p>

<p>BB&N: Also really, really expensive. But I like the location, and the academics seem strong. The only thing I don't like is that it seems huge?</p>

<p>Winsor: All girls, which is not what I'm looking for, but seems like a nice school.</p>

<p>Dana Hall (Wellesley): Also all girls. I don't know much about it, but they have a horsebackriding program. I rode for 5 or so years and stopped several months ago. Would my riding experience be a draw for this school?</p>

<p>Rivers in Weston: Seems to have a good rep on this forum.</p>

<p>Would you recommend trying to apply to these schools or just stick it out at my current school, and try to apply to a top school for a PG year?
Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Milton is obviously the best from the list and Dana Hall would be able to give you a really good oppurtunity for horseback riding. Tabor is also a pretty good school, but I think you should you really really try for Milton</p>

3

<p>Are you full pay?</p>

4

<p>No, I am not full pay. </p>

<p>Milton is my top choice, but I don’t really want to board and that would be my only option as a junior year transfer- that’s the hangup with Milton. I’ll see what happens though. I’ll probably apply.</p>

<p>What about Commonwealth? That’s my #2.</p>

5

<p>Winsor and Commonwealth are certainly top tier among day schools,
and are in my opinion the top two schools academically on your list.
One example: Winsor’s college placement (e.g., HYPS) is comparable
to most of the boarding schools that are usually considered top tier
on CC (e.g., HADES). Commonwealth’s SAT stats are impressive.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the info. I really want to go to Commonwealth. I’m concerned about the tuition though, and hoping for financial aid if I do apply. Both my sibling and I already attend private school though (my family is not wealthy, more like “comfortable”) so I hope I will still be able to get aid.</p>

7

<p>Milton and Winsor are consistently ranked in the top schools.</p>

8

<p>Visit them all. The culture at each school is very different. I know kids at some of these schools, and they would not be comfortable at other schools. If you are looking at Commonwealth, check out BUA too which is very like in some ways. Don’t fret too much about cost because it is largely out of your control. Apply and see what happens.</p>

9

<p>Sorry, this is kind of late but if you get in to Commonwealth (and have applied for that matter), you should definitely go! Nor only was it ranked #1 in Boston, it has an amazing theatre program (i’m also interested in theatre) and utterly astounding academics (consistently has the most Merit Scholars in Boston). As one student put it, “It’s really academic…but also kind of artsy…” A GREAT choice!!! The only thing is, they dont perform any musicals. GO COMMONWEALTH!!!</p>

<p>ALSO, here is a new thread I started for everyone who was accepted and attending: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-cafe/883777-everyone-attending-commonwealth-school-boston-fall.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-cafe/883777-everyone-attending-commonwealth-school-boston-fall.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;