<p>My list for boarding schools is exceptionally long, about 26 schools. I need to narrow it down but before I do I am looking for suggestions on schools. I think a school with over 300 students, challenging academics, and good financial aid is very important. Their must be over 75% boarding. I am a female and very interested in acting and I love all subjects!</p>
<p>If you could post your list of schools, then maybe we could help you narrow it down. :)</p>
<p>okay here it goes.....
Mercersburg
Saint Pauls
Exeter
Andover
Choate
Conserve
NMH
Miss Porters
Miss Halls
Emme Willard
Westover
Deerfield
Grier </p>
<p>Thats the first half. I cant find my second list!</p>
<p>You might want to make it around 75% instead of over. A lot of great schools hover around that number.</p>
<p>Look at the schools in the groups below (if you post your second list, I'll sort those, too). Once you have your second list and it is sort into groups, pick two schools from each group (three from one or two if you just can't choose). I think six is the optimal number, and if you apply to six, evenly spread through these groups, you should have a pretty good shot of getting in.
Group 1:<br>
St. Paul's<br>
Exeter<br>
Andover<br>
Choate<br>
Deerfield</p>
<p>Group 2:
Mercersburg
Emma Willard
Miss Porter's
NMH</p>
<p>Group 3:
Conserve
Miss Hall's
Westover
Grier</p>
<p>I know some don't meet my criteria but I still have them on my list.</p>
<p>I am willing to go anywhere around 75% just not under per say 68%</p>
<p>If you are really into theatre, I've mentioned before that Mercersburg has a brand new theatre and arts building that is unlike any other facility I've seen at other boarding schools. They seem to be very strongly committed to the arts and the campus is gorgeous. The people there are gracious and very caring and they offer many AP courses. All of their facilities are really excellent. Their outdoor education program is exceptional as well. Great school.</p>
<p>Choatechoatechoate!</p>
<p>What about Hotchkiss, St. Andrew's (DC area) or Dana Hall?</p>
<p>I cannot find my second list...... I think my mother accidentally threw it out? Does anyone have any suggestions while I redo my list?</p>
<p>I think you should eliminate a few schools from each group. Since you don't have any specific requirements for these schools, I think it should come down to the less important things that you want.</p>
<p>For example, what kind of weather do you like? Are there any sports you're really interested in? What about classes? Do you want to take AP's? What foreign language are you wanting to take?</p>
<p>After you answer those questions, then we could help you eliminate some schools off your list.</p>
<p>Okay I eliminated all group three schools(to small). In group one I am keeping Exeter, and SPS. In group two Mercersburg, NMH and still deciding between Emma Willard and MPS.
So....
Group One
Exter, SPS
Group Two
Mercersburg, NMH, (either Emma Willard or MPS)</p>
<p>So fieve schools and I am planning to apply to seven! Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Are you planning to visit your schools in the fall? Also, are you planning to take an early ssat? When you start your school visits, you may eliminate one or two and decide to add one or two. Taking the ssat early will give you an indication of whether or not your score puts you in the range of accepted students for your schools. You may do some adjusting after you get your scores.</p>
<p>Well, one way to cut down on your list is to start making choices. Do you want single sex or coed? Do you want a school that's very rural, or one that's a little more urban? Do you want a mid-size school or one with over 1000 students? Do you want a single room, or would you prefer a roomate? Do you think you'd be happier living in a big dorm? A small house? With mostly other freshmen? With upper classmen mixed in? Thinking about and answering some of these questions will help you sort through your list.</p>
<p>Getting brochures from each of the schools your interested in will also help answer your questions, and give you a feel for what each school is like, and may help you eliminate a couple of schools.</p>
<p>Also, you have to take a realistic look at your grades, SSAT's etc. The very top schools may be a long shot for you - again I don't know anything about your background. Finally, even if you have top scores, grades, EC's, recs., etc. you should have a couple of "safety" schools.</p>
<p>Which safety schools would you recommend?</p>
<p>One person's safety is another person's match is another person's reach. I don't know enough about you to state what would be a safety or low match for you. I do remember that you said you were from the Midwest. You might consider Culver in Indiana and Western Reserve Academy in Ohio. Both have good endowments and fairly high acceptance rates (at least according to boardingschoolreview). Culver is a military school for boys, but according to discussions on this board, it is not at all military for girls. Blair is a great school, and they are placing increasing emphasis on their arts programs. Other higher acceptance rate schools that have received good reviews on this board include Tabor and Pomfret. There are others. In fact, there is a thread on great schools that are not the most competitive. I'll try to find it and bump it up for you.</p>
<p>Yes, I am from the Midwest, born in WI and lived there for eleven years! I guess I failed to explain about me....
Stats
4.0 gpa
active in theatre
9th grade secretary (starting this year)
Loves all subjects
interested in becoming a pediatric oncologist
active in the community volunteers mostly with children
very good at adapting (attended 10 schools, moves ALOT) good? bad?
would stay at school all 4 years, part of reason wants to attend
horseback riding
cheer
dance
6 years of choir
one year ahead in math
all honors
trying to take geometry this summmer
loves reading</p>
<p>i also need fa</p>
<p>WAIT!! Hold on one second. What happened to Choate? ;) PM coming your way.</p>
<p>Lake Forest Academy is near Chicago. It's a really great school, and a little closer to home for you then the east coast boarding schools.</p>
<p>Another good school in the midwest is Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, but there's kids there that have been there since kindergarten and it's primarily a day school.</p>