<p>Not to mention that the number of posts seems high until you realize it only averages out to fewer than 4 per day - not excessive if you count in questions and followups to said questions. Especially, as @makennacompton pointed out, in the age of the smartphone and tech-savvy kids.</p>
<p>We are all cheering for you, stargirl!!!</p>
<p>@bsadvisor: While many of the parents here may not have direct experience working in FA offices, many of us DO have experience applying for FA for one or more children, during one or more admission cycles. None of us proclaim to understand or know how/why some families receive generous awards while others are offered nothing. </p>
<p>What we do share are our personal experiences. What may have worked for us and/or what didn’t work for us. We offer our experience in the spirit of providing helpful support to others. </p>
<p>You, as far as I know, are the only one here who has claimed to be an expert. Pardon our ignorance. </p>
<p>Stargirl, if I’m not mistaken, has been a member of this board for more than one admission cycle. That’s plenty of time to rack up numerous posts. Evenings, weekends, vacations. Her posts are welcome and appreciated by all who have taken the time to know her. She has been nothing but kind and supportive to all. Her voice and perspective are as valuable and pertinent as any others. </p>
<p>Schools let us know routinely that every student–FP or FA–is subsidized to some extent by the endowment; the number of fa students that schools will take is often directly related to the endowment; my kid writes letters every year thanking specific people who are funding his grant (I get that that’s probably akin to orphans in Ethiopia writing letters to their “families” in the U.S., but still–real donors there). While it may be possible that at some private day schools, the FP students “pay” for the FA students, I don’t buy it at the boarding schools we reference most often on these boards. Their tuition is sucked up in all kinds of other expenses, and the endowment contributes that portion to the school for the FA students. </p>
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<p>Going to a rigorous middle school must be nice. </p>
<p>As it turns out, 1332 posts are not too many, but 18 posts are more than enough. </p>
<p>@bsadvisor : Technically you joined 6 days ago, and 26 posts… averages out to be more than @stargirl3 's average. :)</p>
<p>And the kids who are on this board are people who want to hear advice, give helpful feedback and interact anonymously with other people. If that’s a waste of time, then being curious and social is a waste of time, I guess.</p>
<p>I believe there are many factors at play. (I’m going to name 3:)
- MONEY. Applicants who don’t need FA are more likely to get accepted. Sorry, but that’s how the system works.
- DEMAND. If you’re a flutist, and X boarding school already has enough flutists, it’s unlikely that you’ll get accepted- even if you’ve played in Carnegie Hall.
- CONNECTIONS. Unfortunately, legacies may have slight advantages. Or maybe- just your luck- a senator’s son is applying at the same time as you.</p>
<p>@stargirl3 Best of luck with all your future endeavors 
You’re truly a star =D> </p>
<p>@NYCmomof3 the poster who stated that even FP students are subsidized was referring to the fact that the tuition a student pays does not cover a schools costs. I believe this is true at all BS and private day schools. There was a well written article in the NY times by a former board member of the Groton school. <a href=“Opinion | Is Private School Not Expensive Enough? - The New York Times”>Opinion | Is Private School Not Expensive Enough? - The New York Times;
<p>If you have parents at your child’s school worrying that their FP tuition is subsidizing a FA student than you should refer them to this article. This author actually states that FP parents should donate the difference between the costs to run the school and tuition. The author advocates a sliding scale tuition payment. All parents would submit their income data and be asked to pay per their ability. A variation on the “to each according to his need, from each according to their ability.”</p>