<p>My parents aren't really into visiting the schools. I'll sign them up for open-houses and such but they never wanna go, and haven't yet (even when we drove through the TOWN of one). </p>
<p>I know boarding school isn't a big thing to them, but what do you think? Should I try a new way of convincing them...?</p>
<p>(NOTE: I’m probably going to seem really preachy and also I may have just invalidated this whole post because I visited the schools.)
Not a must. A lot of people have interviews with alumni in their town, which is what I would recommend. If you get in, there is a revisit that you could convince them. In the end they’re the parents and ultimately it’s their decision.
If you’re applying this year, schedule a Skype interview NOW. Application deadlines are closing in!</p>
<p>I have not got to visit 6/8 of the schools I am applying to. But, when I did visit it made me want to go to bs even more.</p>
<p>Seeing the school in person is really different than online. It changed my perception on a few schools I visited. If you are able to visit without staying over, I would recommend it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input guys!</p>
<p>@bgal101: are you applying this year, or…?</p>
<p>Obviously it depends on logistics, but especially at the secondary school level, the sense of fit, which is inadequately gleaned from promotional materials, is so important. At least if you get admitted, make it a point to go to revisit (note even the term that the schools use–REvist) day.</p>
<p>It depends how much you know about the school, and whether you have friends or family that have first hand experience of the schools. That would really help you get an idea of what it’s like to be there, which you don’t gt from websites.
It’s not a must, but it really changed my mind about 2 of the schools I applied to, so is a good idea if you can.</p>
<p>It’s a must if you want to make the most informed decision possible. You’ll be spending four years of your life on campus.</p>
<p>I have to be perfectly honest and say that if your parents are refusing to visit, even when they are driving through the town where the BS is located, then they are not seriously considering allowing you to attend. A visit is one of the most fundamental parts of the BS process. Actually, a visit is required as part of the application process for the purpose of an interview. I would sit down with your parents and get a realistic understanding of their intentions.</p>
<p>^Actually, @Harvest, a visit is not fundamental. Some people cannot afford it so they do Skype or alumni interviews in their area. However, I would have to agree that if they drive through the BS town they probably just <strong>don’t want to let go of you.</strong>
That’s my parents’ problem, which is apparently why they are only allowing me to apply to Andover+Exeter. But @bgal, talk to your parents.
All in all, visiting a school is NOT a must.</p>
<p>Visiting is not a must while applying, but certainly very important prior to sending in a deposit. It is a lot of money and time, and you (and your family) will want to have some sense of the place before you pack up to go in September.</p>
<p>My parents basically just don’t want me to get my hopes up…that’s why they don’t want to take me to the schools, is what I’m getting from them. See, they want as much financial aid/scholarship money as I can get and if I don’t get enough they won’t let me go…and yes I’m applying this year.</p>
<p>Whoa!! @bgal101 you really need to interview STAT. have you scheduled it??</p>
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<p>If you need FA, then it is all the more critical that you go visit the school to demonstrate your seriousness. </p>
<p>Why would a FA committee go out on a limb to make a considerable financial investment in a total stranger who can’t even be bothered to visit, especially if you live within reasonable driving distance away?</p>
<p>Perhaps there are applicants who skip the visit, but it is inconceivable to me that I would send a child off anywhere for 4 years without first visiting and getting comfortable with the environment. Even if it proved to be tough from an economic standpoint, I would attempt to find a way to make the visit happen. But that is not really on point, as the the OP stated that his parents refuse to visit even though they are driving through the town where the BS is located. To me that indicates the parents and the child are not on the same page. My suggestion would be that you sit down with your parents before you begin all the effort that these applications entail. It would be very difficult to complete all the apps and find that your parents are not on board with you going.</p>
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<p>This worries me slightly; my parents (like bgal101’s) don’t want to visit the school. We’re planning on conducting an off-campus interview. However, I also need a substantial chunk of FA; will this lower my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>Many schools say it is a part of the application process. My question is this - will your parents allow you to go to a BS? Will they financially support you? Do you still want to go there if your parents don’t pay? Then you should explain to them that you really want to go to a boarding school with FA and explain your situation. </p>
<p>If your parents pay your tuition but don’t want to visit, explain to schools and ask about the alternatives. If you can visit alone, do it and explain to school. Maybe they like your passion about going to a boarding school and your self-reliance. I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>^ Thank you for the advice! Those are questions to be considered on a rainy day…:-)</p>
<p>Harvest moon - some wait for revisit day because the expense is justified by the certainty that their child has a spot. It is very expensive to visit a school - schools know that. Many will allow for Skype interviews, or take into alumni interviews heavily into account.</p>
<p>But revisit days give you more exposure because you have a full day, sit in on classes, and the student can go spend time in the dorm. More time to tell if he/she “fits” and wants to attend.</p>