<p>Actually, he wanted to go to Culver Academy and was accepted there. The distance there was an issue for me as we live in northern New England. Also, it is “military style” in that they wear uniforms and have an explicit hierarchical structure to the student body. However, all things considered, they appeared (at least to me) to be academically rigorous with significant resources for students. The faculty appears to be highly invested in the students and one of the head administrators is from SPS, some aspects of which I suspect he attempts to transfer to Culver.</p>
<p>If my son had not gotten into Culver, and wanted to go there, I believe he would have applied again. The w/l that he received were difficult for him to accept, as he grew enamored of his sister’s school. But in the end, and prior to the w/l result, he started to have cold feet about the HADES shcool, given the enormous amount of work/sleep deprivation, etc. that he knew his sister coped with.</p>
<p>Also, I will say that IMO, there is a chance that another year’s accomplishments and good grades could tip the scales. There is also the chance that next year will bring a different group of applicants. My daughter’s school took only one child from our state this year and it was a legacy (a big legacy). Theoretically, such a situation might not exist of our son were to apply next year. He is happy with his choice now, and I am as well. I will admit I love the HADES school. There are, to me, clearly advantages to such a school which are fairly unique to them. However, as we all know, every child is different and what suits them best in schools is different as well.</p>
<p>I’ve been watching this thread for a while, still processing it all. Am still relatively new to this realm (one child in) so don’t have enough history to identify a real “trend.” But through numerous conversations with parents and AOs from different schools this year here’s what I’ve come to believe: there ARE more applicants applying more widely than before. And if you’re FA, I’d put money on it (pun intended) that it’s exponentially more difficult. Finally, in the hardest category is if you already have one child attending BS and you are paying near the EFC amount – second child then is placed in the highest need FA category and that’s where it gets most competitive. The difference between perhaps up to 50% need and 90%+ need is the difference that seems to count. Being from a “state that begins with a vowel” only helps IF no one from that state with lesser FA need applies. I do believe that there will be substantial openings after 4/10, but am bracing myself to enter this arena next year with a newly thickened skin.</p>
<p>Schools don’t want to subsidize other schools. My understanding from my child’s applications last year is that if we had an older child already receiving financial aid, we would be expected to ask for additional aid from that school to allow us to pay a fair share for the second child.</p>
<p>TigerDad - </p>
<p>regarding Culver - we have a daughter there in 10th grade, who is having an outstanding experience so far, and our son was accepted there for next year’s 9th grade, and is wrestling with the question of taking that place rather than the other two places he was accepted at (one a HADES, both in New England). There are 700 miles between us and Culver, so yeah, we understand the distance thing. From your post, it appears that you are asking many of the same questions we are - feel free to PM me if you would like. </p>
<p>Overall, I find myself liking the schools that have some kind of a work experience - whether it’s the military (prefects for the girls) system at CMA/CGA, or the work requirement at NMH, or the other schools which have an organized way of “giving back”, I find myself liking the effect - the sense of purpose that the kids seem to acquire. </p>
<p>Maybe not a deal maker or breaker, but when the academics are on par (and Culver’s are pretty hot, at least at the top), the “job” adds something to the experience.</p>
<p>Although I am not a parent, (I’m a WL’ed candidate), I have been lurking on this thread for quite a while, and everyone on this thread has posted such helpful information and I just want to take the time to thank all of you! Here’s to other people that might also be WL’ed, I’m bumping this so people might learn some more info…BUMP.</p>
<p>Good luck in a few weeks. I think there is reason to still hope since the schools were so conservative this year. Fingers crossed for you.</p>