<p>and you’re not likely to find “top cycling” teams/coaches at most – if any – schools. If that’s your sole interest for attending the outcome is going to be disappointing.</p>
<p>overandover: St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, MN. St. John’s Abbey is a very cool place.</p>
<p>[Saint</a> John’s Preparatory School - Home](<a href=“http://www.sjprep.net/]Saint”>http://www.sjprep.net/)</p>
<p>Alixindigo may be a US citizen, or possess dual citizenship. Alixindigo, I think if you’re a UK citizen, you would count as an international, and financial aid is very limited for international applicants. If you are a US citizen, even if you’re living abroad, you would not count as an international applicant, and thus might be eligible for financial aid.</p>
<p>The UK has more boarding schools than the US. Is the long-term plan to attend college in the United States?</p>
<p>Bicycle racing is a very unusual sport for US boarding schools. More schools have curling teams (6) than mountain bicycling teams (5).</p>
<p>Try the search function at the website for The Association of Boarding Schools. [Find</a> the Right Boarding School For You - The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)](<a href=“http://www.boardingschools.com/find-a-school.aspx]Find”>Find A School Tool | BoardingSchools.com) Don’t forget to call or email a school you’re interested in, to confirm their sports offerings.</p>
<p>Thats interesting becasue we were debating whether or not to apply for US citizenship. My dad has dual citizenship although he lives permenantely in the UK, so if we tried we might be able to get me dual citizenship.
What schools have the best (international) financial aid? </p>
<p>And also, I do road, track and circuit cycling, not mountain biking.</p>
<p>FYI to those addressing cycling. There’s actually a very active road cycling league in New England in the spring that is significantly larger than the fall mountain biking league. Approximately 20 schools (mostly boarding, a few public) competed last spring with over 250 individual participants, tiny compared to say, ice hockey but the league has been around since the early 80’s. I don’t think there are any schools that offer year-round training (many riders are nordic/alpine skiers primarily) but several of the programs have produced pro racers and Olympic medalists (Tyler Hamilton and Georgia Gould started racing in the league). Additionally, a school like Colorado Mountain School in Carbondale, CO offers a top tier mountain cycling team and also offers intensive road training. So, yes, it is a niche sport but certainly not as uncommon as some have suggested (all schools in the league are in MA/NH/VT/ME).</p>
<p>Back to the OP: I’m not a fan for “safety schools”. Where ever you go you must remember you’re going to be there for 4, 3 or 2 years. You don’t want to be at a school that you may consider second fiddle and unhappy. IMO look for schools that are matches and not a “reach” either.</p>
<p>Found it! [NEW</a> ENGLAND ROAD CYCLING LEAGUE](<a href=“http://www.prepschoolcycling.com/]NEW”>http://www.prepschoolcycling.com/)</p>
<p>It might be a good idea for schools to inform The Association of Boarding Schools about their cycling teams?</p>
<p>@Periwinkle, you deserve a prize for finding that link. </p>
<p>Glad it came now. My DH is an avid cyclist (he’d move to France if it meant he could see the Tour each year). If this had come last year he would have restricted our D’s list of schools :)</p>
<p>Nice job. I learned something as well.</p>
<p>Another idea…find a school somewhere near the Velodrome in Trexlertown PA. I know that is a hotbed of cycling in the mid-atlantic area. Schools that come to mind off the cuff include Mercersburg, Hill, Westtown, and George.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.thevelodrome.com/[/url]”>http://www.thevelodrome.com/</a></p>
<p>@Periwinkle I was sent that link earlier today by the cycling coach at Deerfield :)</p>
<p>I’m not really looking at the schools as ‘safeties’ I just dont really know what else to call them. ‘Schools that I have a higher chance of getting into if i dont make the cut for my top choices’ isn’t so easy to write</p>
<p>BTW sorry about my bad grammar, I am way too used to spell and grammar checks on word processors :)</p>
<p>regarding what to call the school if you can’t use “the S word” - </p>
<p>I think we’re all trying to nudge you into thinking more creatively - more strategically, less tactically, perhaps. forget for a moment “where I think I can get in”. what are the most important things about you - cycling, obviously (!), but what about academic interests, what about other ECs, what about general interests, public service interests - and where does your personal package mesh most closely with what makes the school unique. </p>
<p>That logic doesn’t answer all the questions, but it does allow you to think in terms of a two-way street - what can I bring to the school that is unique, and thus makes me someone who will stand out in the admissions process.</p>
<p>And I don’t think there are any really bad schools out there. Some of them have flashier adimssions numbers, or exmission numbers - but every one of them has students who want to be there and bring a positive energy to the place, and every one of them has teachers who can help you bring out the best in yourself.</p>