<p>I'm 14 years old and applying to Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, Concord, and Governor's this Fall. However, I'm in a huge financial dilemma. My dad is currently unemployed and divorced from my mom (who pays minimum child support). I was curious as to are there ANY ways at all, that someone of my age (14), intelligence (top 5% in my high school), and extracurricular experience (synagogue, baseball, debate, Boy Scouts, FCCLA) can earn any cash to pay off the following:</p>
<p>-Plane Tickets (Fort Lauderdale - Boston)
-Hotel in Boston Area (Going in January for tours and interviews)
-SSAT Tutor
-SSAT Tests
-Application Fees
-Textbooks
-Additional Expenses </p>
<p>Any ideas, suggestions, or comments would be extremely appreciated. Please help.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that loads of folks do amazing, outstanding things without a private prep school background – please don’t connect your feelings of self worth to a particular bumper sticker. </p>
<p>In fact, it can be kinda fun to end up with a great education and a fantastic career without paying what the prep school families do. By all means, explore the prep school path but keep your brain open to other paths (Hmm, are ANY of the Intel Science Search winners in the past decade from a prep school background??? Would be interesting to know . . . ). Good luck!</p>
<p>You don’t need a tutor for the SSAT exam. Just take a book (SSAT) from the library and practice a couple of times. If you are at the top of your class, you will do very well in this exam. Make sure you take the SSAT soon so the schools will have the results by the time of the interview and they can see what type of student you are when they are interviewing you. Also, don’t forget to check the “Financial Aid” box in the application. These prep schools always have a few spots open for kids in need and they help you with most of the expenses (including books). Boston hotels are expensive - you may consider staying in a motel in the suburbs -outside of the city. Good luck -</p>