<p>Okay, hypothetically, I get waitlisted (Let's hope this stays hypothetical). So, does that mean I have to wait for them to tell me if a spot it opened? If a spot isn't open, do I just go to my regular school then reapply? Sorry, I don't really know all this prep school jargon.</p>
<p>In addition, what if a prep school, like Andover, think we're applying next year because I asked for information, but then I don't apply (I'm thinking of waiting a year to get more activities, etc.). Will this hurt my chances? Should I email them and say I won't be applying for that year?</p>
<p>This is the last one, sorry. Can anyone suggest any prep schools that aren't so exclusive like Andover? I do want a better education from public, but I'm not sure if I'll get accepted to those schools.</p>
<p>Yes, being waitlisted is just that. You wait to find out if a spot opened for you-- and in the meantime you figure on going to your public school.</p>
<p>On the Andover note, I'd write a nice email (there was probably a letter of some sort in your packet) saying that you thank them for sending you information, and then explain that you won't be applying this year and why. It lets them know where you stand, and that you haven't just ignored them. I wouldn't say this is nessicary, though-- Just polite.</p>
<p>Some schools I can think of are:
-Berkshire School (My personal favourite)
-Williston Northhampton
-Wilberham & Monson Academy
That's not nearly it, but those are just some schools in my relative area (I'm like 20 minutes from WMA) and they popped into my head quickly.</p>
<p>Yes, that's what happens when you're waitlisted. If a spot opens up for you, they'll tell you. While you're waiting, you figure out another plan for the fall, whether that's public school and applying again or applying to rolling admissions schools and trying to get in someplace else for the fall.</p>
<p>No, it really doesn't matter if you ask for information and then don't apply. They won't care, there are going to be tons of people that request information and then don't apply, it's not going to hurt your chances.</p>
<p>It's hard to suggest schools without knowing what you're looking for. Location? Size? Coed or Single-sex? Formal or informal dress code? Religion or no religion? Etc..you're going to have to give us some more information to help you out.</p>
<p>i don't think it will hurt your chances, but if you email, it might boost your chances</p>
<p>go on boardingschoolreview.com and search for a club or sport that you love. then look at the list the pops up. pick a few of those schools and then do the top exclusive ones too.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! I think I'll send an email just to be polite, but I'm still not sure whether I should apply later. What do you think? I've been in Girl Scouts, play instruments, know two languages (currently learning my third), I'm in track and cross country, and I'm in all AP classes. And I'm planning on joining Kumon, but I'm applying for September 2010. So, should I wait a year?</p>
<p>The only criteria is that the location of the school should be in the New England area. It doesn't really matter for the dress code, religion, etc.</p>
<p>Like muffinqueen said, you never know if you can make it unless you try it. If you don't try, you could always be wondering about what could have been. And...I'm just going to encourage you again to really think about more specific criteria for schools. I know you say that the only criteria is that it's in New England, but there are so many boarding schools in the northeast and they are all so different from each other, finding schools to apply to is about finding the best fit for you and not every school in New England will be the right fit.</p>
<p>Andover does have an amazing cross country/track&field program though :)
And it never hurts to apply! I didn't think I'd get in, and I go there now, soooo :)</p>
<p>Let's see. I would like a school with a big math/science program and a good music program. Ummmm, for the formal dress code, does that mean I have to wear like dress shirts, etc? I'm just curious, but I don't care for dress codes, but I do prefer uniforms. Track & Field/Cross Country is good, too. Let's see...medical programs? I want to be a doctor, so that would be good. AP courses would be great. I think that's it... :P</p>
<p>@ zebra17 Any advice for me about applying? :]</p>
<p>Andover has no dress code, which is really nice, because somedays its cold and you're sick and you don't want to wear anything but sweats and otherdays you want to wear a cute dress.</p>
<p>Also, you should go look here: Phillips</a> Academy - Course Listings
because you will fall in love. Andover has an AMAZING course selection.
AP level (and above!) in all the sciences and maths
So much freedom to do independent projects in those subjects too (read about Bio-600!)</p>
<p>I don't know too much about the music program, as I literally just started picking up an instrument this year for the first time, but so far it's been FABULOUS my instructor is wonderful, I take my lessons in a free period so it's so convenient. And I know we have a ton of groups on campus (that I am clearly not good enough for yet, but maybe someday) from classical to a jazz band to some pretty legit band-bands.</p>
<p>Let's see:
Ask questions on your tour. Even awkward ones. Tour guides do NOT go back and talk about you to admissions officers, so anything you might be curious about feel free to ask. And then you'll really know about the school and honestly be able to express why you want to go there. (or you might decide you don't want to...but that's unlikely. haha)</p>
<p>Don't stress about your interview. just BE YOURSELF. i know, it's cheesy and overstated but very very TRUE. honestly, your interview basically consists of your interviewer going through this little sheet that you filled out and asking you about your interests and then you chat with them and they're all charming and friendly and designed to make you feel comfortable so it's really just like chatting with a friend (albeit a friend you want to impress and not tell anything TOO embarassing)</p>
<p>Also, put some effort into your essays. They're really what (I think) sets you apart from other applicants. I mean everyone is smart. PA turns down kids with perfect SSATs all the time. And trust me, I didn't have perfect SSATs. But if you show YOU in your essay, they're going to want you. Don't write a cookie-cutter essay about world peace.</p>
<p>um. I think that's mostly it. If i think of anything else, I'll let you know.
But, best of luck! I hope to see you at PA eventually ;) go BLUE.</p>
<p>@MuffinQueen
I play guitar, flute, and dabble in piano, saxophone, and drums. I know the basics of them, but I’m not very serious about them.</p>
<p>@Zebra
Oh, jeez this is hard D: Exeter has the math, science, and music, but Andover has the AP courses D: Omg, I love the BIOL-600; it sounds great!</p>
<p>That’s cool. Maybe at Andover I can take up another instrument and be in a band!</p>
<p>I can’t THANK YOU ENOUGH ABOUT THE ADVICE! I was sooooo worried about everything! I’ll let you know if I get accepted! :]]]</p>
<p>wow, that’s pretty impressive…
if you taught yourself how to play, mention it. make one of them stand out. </p>
<p>AP is not the thing that will shape your life. if you take too many AP’s, you will be freakishly overworked, and ruin your gpa. take like 2-4 ish. don’t load up</p>
<p>P.S. FLUTE ROCKS!! lol, i’ve been playing for a few years</p>
<p>OMG I DID TEACH MYSELF TO PLAY GUITAR! And from what my friends and band teacher has said, I’m not so bad at it. Also, saxophone and the flute have similar fingerings, so it was easy to learn.</p>
<p>Lol, I’ll take that advice. I take all AP classes in my school, and I have a A+ average (It’s nothing that big. You just learn a grade higher than you’re supposed to). My sister also said that middle school AP is nothing compared to high school AP. So, thanks, I’ll take your advice.</p>
<p>P.S. FLUTE DOES ROCK! IT WAS MY FIRST INSTRUMENT! (If you don’t count recorder x]) I’ve been playing that for a few years, too. :]</p>
<p>lol, i’m still in middle school, so i don’t know firsthand. just from what my friend tells me. but ap’s do load you down a lot. having a 5.0 Gpa isn’t worth giving everything else up.</p>
<p>yay, flute was my first too! actually, piano, but i forgot how to play… :(</p>
Also, saxophone and the flute have similar fingerings, so it was easy to learn.</p>