<p>Hi, I'm usually over at the Harvard board since I'm currently a freshman at Harvard, but my brother right now is in the 7th grade and he really wants to go to prep school. I myself never applied, and I don't know how to go about counseling him. I checked the really long "Applying to Prep School" thread, but the discussion was definitely geared to students who already know how the process works. Can anyone enlighten me about this process, like what prep books are the best for the SSATs, when to take them, how to fill out an application, request one, and what prep schools you guys recommend including in my brother's search? CC has always been a wealth of information for me because of you guys and I hope that this time, it will be the same way too. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>The exam is the SSAT and I don't know how many kids prep for it but I didn't. Is sports a consideration? Are you wanting to know the time table? Getting applications is as simple as getting college applications which you have already done. There is a common application also. Your brother will want to plan trips to look at the schools and also for the interview.</p>
<p>Sports is not a consideration. I'd like to know, since I know CC has so many talented kids, how you guys prepared for the exam and just, I guess, to say it in a crude way, "what boarding schools are looking for" just like for college! :)</p>
<p>Boarding schools are looking for kids who are self motivated, will contribute to the community, have enough intellectual power for success and who want to learn. Maturity is a factor as is character.</p>
<p>How would one demonstrate this in the application? Also, would an on-campus interview bolster one's application if it went well rather than a great off-campus interview?</p>
<p>On campus is always better......firstly the student should make a visit and you can get a much better "feel" for the students & faculty in person. Yes, do the interview on campus if at all possible. Unless you are financially unable to visit the campus it demonstrates interest and commitment.</p>
<p>Anyone else have any comments?</p>
<p>In regards to which schools your brother should apply to: Andover and Exeter are a must and I highly recommend St. Paul's and Deerfield. After that it seems a matter of personal preference; some people adore Choate for example, while I have heard of others despising it. When your brother is applying for these schools remember that there is no one prep school that everyone should attend, it is simply a matter of finding the best possible fit for him.</p>
<p>St. Paul's</p>
<p>I think studying a course on his own(nothing super complicated) or doing some advanced project would show motivation. Also, note that while on campus trips are good, they shouldn't be the deciding factor. Schools like to market themselves, and at least at my school, the night before open house for applicants, we are told to behave, etc.</p>
<p>Here are some sites your brother should take a look at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ssat.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ssat.org/</a></p>
<p>Like the person above me has mentioned, go to Boarding School Review, it's a good site.
I suggest your brother looks at schools with a neutral view. When he first dives into the application process, he'll realize that most people only look at Exeter and Andover. Now that might seems hypocritical seeing how I'm applying to Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss and Choate, but I evaluated what I was looking for in a school before I made a decision.
Have your brother ask himself questions like; Do I want to go to a big school or small? Is geographic location important (New England, etc...)? What do I want to do in high school as far as extracurriculars are involved? Do you want the campus to be secluded (like Hotchkiss), or next to a city (like Andover and Groton)? Things like that...
Some schools to consider are Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, Choate, Peddie, Lawrenceville, Groton, and Deerfield.</p>
<p>Exonian
Groton (school) is not next to a city. Groton is a very small town
also:why is sps not even mentioned in your previous post?</p>
<p>Whoops, got Groton mixed up with Milton...
I just named the prep schools that came up to my mind when I posted...</p>