Help?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
1

<p>Hi! This is my first post as you can tell, but I'm long time lurker on CC. I'd really like to apply to Exeter and two other schools next year for the school year of 2012-2013, if I was admitted I'd be an incoming lower. I know that Exeter is an extremely hard school to get into, low admission rate... etc. But please don't tell me to check out other schools ( I have) as I'm not to have the boarding school experience, rather, the Exeter experience. </p>

<p>However, that isn't my problem. You see my parents aren't convinced to letting me apply. Infact, I'm starting to think that they don't take me serious enough. </p>

<p>After many many many invasions of my parents bedroom at night to discuss this, after all their excuses (you'll loose your faith, it's not good to live away from home, what's wrong with school here?) had been shot down, my dad finally cracked. These were the exact words he said to me; "****, I like these ideas too! When you tell me about these things and you show me these programs, I get excited too! But your too young. So far your whole life it's been your drived to school, your drived home. Your very hiden from the rest of the world." to which I replied," I read and I know what goes on I'm not dumb, and I wouldn't even consider doing those....things. Besides, you and Mom left Somalia when you were SEVENTEEN, seventeen, and you won't let me APPLY to Exeter?"</p>

<p>Then my dad was all it was different back then blah blah blah, I give you a little credit. Blah blah blah but he was laughing when he said that last bit.</p>

<p>I thought I was making progress now I'm on stage one again. My mom said everything that concerns her children has to be equally decided and my dads not budging! What do I do? How can I show my parents I'm not trying to leave them but explore new opportunities? How can I explain that it's not to young and when (if) I actually go, I'd be 15.</p>

<p>It's not boarding school, just for the sake of boarding school. I don't want March 10th to come around again and never know if I would've made it.</p>

<p>How did your child/you convince your parents/you that they weren't to young? I'm from Canada, so I can't really be like the education system sucks or whatever.</p>

<p>Sorry for any spelling mistakes, wrote this all on my phone. & my hands starting to cramp lol. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance to anyone who answers! I'd be real grateful.</p>

2

<p>Well, I’ve been working my parents since 4th grade (haha, I’m in 6th grade right now). It was just a few days ago, on March 11th (my dad’s birthday), that I had my breakthrough. I sat down and he asked me if everything at school was going all right. I told him that everything was fine, and then I mumbled something about a scholarship in 7th grade that would pay for boarding school. I was very nervous, when I realized that he was asking me to repeat what I said. I had begged for years, I wanted a good education! After family members telling me I was crazy and that I wouldn’t want to leave my family, I had had enough. I’m still SO SO SO happy! How can you convince your parents?
First of all, do not argue! Throwing words back and forth makes your parents feel as if the only reason you want to go to boarding school is to get away from home. Show them you are very passionate about your education, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the best education and experience. Sit down with the “softest” parent (and only that parent) and talk about boarding school. Have information at hand, be mature! Talk to them about what this means to you. You don’t want your parents to “crack”, you want them to love boarding school.
It seems like your mom is the parent who hates the idea. Take a weekend to spend time with your mom, once you feel like you got her at the right moment… you know what to do. I suggest talking with your dad first. In addition, be realistic. If your parents can’t pay in full, include scholarships that will help pay for boarding school.
I hope this information has helped you; I was in your situation just a few days ago, but couldn’t find any real resources. Any current bs parents, I’m sure you will laugh at my response (I’m not a parent, I’m a kid). Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Create a PowerPoint / slideshow explaining Exeter, what Exeter is like, throw in something about the academics (not too much though, focus more on what Exeter life is like and how you would have a better chance to get accepted into an ivy league). Have lots and lots of pictures, have the campus, the town, the people, and even little shops. It will make your parents feel more comfortable about the town and area. Do not mention ANYTHING about money or the tuition it will make them tense and nervous. Speak in a comfortable non-intense voice. Make sure you don’t ask them about their decision during or after the presentation. Ask them the next day for their opinion NOT decision. Make them small pamphlets about Exeter to have and look through while their watching your little presentation, this will give them the feel that you are serious and mature about your Boarding school decision. Make sure their comfortable and sitting, do it after dinner so their not hungry. </p>

<p>I hope this helps!!! : ) let me know if you have any questions or if it helps / works!!! Private message me with anti questions!! </p>

<p>P.S. I’m not a parent but I applied to Exeter this year!</p>