<p>I know these are all very competitive, which is why I'm applying to a greater number. However, I don't mind if I don't get in, as the school I will go to for 9th grade is also excellent. I just believe these schools will offer better opportunities.... :)>- </p>
<p>In my opinion it is not too many. In terms of the competitiveness and chances of getting in, you seem to have a good understanding of that. As you probably know, chances are decreased if you need FA, so be sure to factor that in. If you do not need FA, and you are an otherwise strong candidate, you certainly have a good list to work from. My only caveat would be that you might want to add some equally stellar but slightly less competitive schools. My thinking here is that you are at the beginning of the process, and come March you may have decided that despite your excellent local option you really do want to head to BS. Depending on your interests sciences, humanities, arts and sports can be as good or better at some of these less selective schools than some on your list.</p>
<p>I think the final number depends on the amount of effort and interviewing you can put into the process. Lots of folks here apply to eight or more.</p>
<p>Is 8 enough? You have pointed out schools among the top 10-12 most selective/competitive.
Some recommend applying to 3 safeties, 3 matches, and 3 reaches. If those are 8 reaches and/or matches, then you need more or to drop some.
My daughter applied to 10 and some of her friends applied to 12+.</p>
<p>@jjs123 Well, my situation is a bit complicated in that my local option is very highly rated, so my father only wants me to apply to the most competitive ones-- to see if I can get in (if I do, then I will go), and so I can get a taste of the college application process, which, according to him, is quite similar to the prep school application process… </p>
<p>@RoomNacht While I know that Groton is a wonderful school, and despite the fact that it was on my original list, my father didn’t want me to go to a church affiliated school, and as Groton is affiliated with the Episcopal church, it didn’t make the final cut. :)>- </p>
<p>Both of my nieces went to Groton and one of my in laws son went there. They are NOT at all religious, so I really do not think they push that at all. </p>
<p>@whimsicalwhims I think you might find that most of the “top” schools are church affiliated (or were historically)… I wouldn’t look too much at that aspect – even in the more religious schools, you will find all backgrounds - even athiests…</p>
<p>Groton does,however, have some religious requirements. Students have to attend a religious service each Sunday unless they have written parental permission to not attend. My son has begged for it, but I think it’s good for him!</p>
<p>I’d do like, maybe, 13- 15 or so. Drop a few second tiers in. However, if you are the Harvard or go home type (because your local option already is Yale), then by all means just do the favored few.</p>
<p>The religious aspect-- even though my family isn’t particularly religious, my mother still doesn’t want me to go, I don’t know why…she thinks I might convert or something </p>
<p>You’ll find a religious/faith component at all boarding schools. You may not start the day with a Psalm or the Lords Prayer (like the old days), but the faith based principles ( boarding schools were founded on ) are most certainly still there. It’s just woven in and packaged differently. </p>
<p>@whimsicalwhims: To clarify, neither of my kids went 0 for 8 in their app cycles…like you, they had a good fall back option at home (private day school) and their “apply to” lists were 3 and 4 schools long, respectively. But kids have reported getting rejected or waitlisted at all the schools they applied to in past cycles…it can and does happen. </p>
<p>Dad said this is so you can get a taste of the college application process and Mom concerned about affiliation with the Episcopal Church. Realize I’m speaking with a 13 year old and I don’t want to sound harsh but really. So much to be said with all of this.</p>
<p>This is the point we are trying to make: If you truly want to go to boarding scjhool, cast a wide net, because no matter how incredibly qualified you may be, there are many hundreds of highly qualified applicants competing for a relatively small number of spots. Trust us, kids do end up with nothing but waitlists. Or waitlists and rejections. It is a darn competitive world out there, and the bigger-name schools are uber-selective. (And regarding views on reasons to apply and attend, that’s a whole 'nother thread!)</p>
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