<p>I'm considering applying to a boarding school (and I would be entering as a junior). I have good grades, but it's something I have to work for and I'm not sure I want to be somewhere were the competetion might really hurt my ability to learn.</p>
<p>Competition’s there, but I wouldn’t categorize it as “cutthroat”. Although I’m sure some schools are, most of the time it’s friendly.</p>
<p>I think the competition mostly comes from the kids themselves. Anyone who attends is high-achieving and gifted and probably used to easily making good grades. Now they’re what lots of people call “a small fish in a big pond” instead of their previous “big fish in a small pond”. While I’m sure there’s healthy, friendly competition, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.</p>
<p>Some schools are more laid-back than others. Concord Academy, for one, has no academic awards, which contributes to their relaxed atmosphere. </p>
<p>I really don’t see cutthroat competition–some kids put pressure on themselves, some kids don’t, and occasionally there might be a little friendly competition-- between friends in the same class or something-- but really not for overall grades. Kids are placed in classes (regular, honors, APs, etc.), so you tend to be with kids in a roughly similar level, which probably makes it feel a little less competitive (at least at Deerfield, it seems like kids are either on an honors track in a particular subject or not-- there’s not a big competition to get on it or knock someone off it or whatever-- you’re just placed in classes that should be challenging for you, wherever you are). On the other hand, you should realize that a LOT of students will see their grades go down in BS. Many of the kids attending are used to pretty close to straight A’s, and that will change at many of these BS. You need to be prepared for that-- but you also need to realize that colleges understand courses and grading are often more rigorous at BS, and so they don’t expect the same GPA-- especially if you’re taking rigorous classes at BS. So I don’t think the competition will “hurt your ability to learn” ( you’ll learn a lot, just being with a lot of other kids who are serious about school), but it might affect your GPA – but, again, colleges get this.</p>
<p>Junior year is the toughest year. It’s already tough for boarding school kids who have been enrolled since freshman year; it will be triply challenging for a newcomer who has to deal w a higher academic pace, very heavy workload, plus social integration. I have observed new juniors who have succeeded and assimilated rapidly in the new environment, and I have observed new juniors who have crashed & burned and withdrawn from the school. </p>
<p>Consider the option of entering as a REPEAT SOPHOMORE. It will give u more cushion to as u kick off the college admissions cycle.</p>