<p>I copied this advice given by baseballmom from another thread, “With Child #2, we looked for schools that would feel lucky to have HIM and not the other way around!” Your son sounds like a great kid who is genuinely nice, very smart and will be an asset at any school, but an all boys school or a smaller, less talked about school on this board, might feel lucky to have him. Also, have you considered looking at schools that offer merit scholarships. I don’t know if the all boy’s schools offer merit scholarships, but your son may be an outstanding candidate for a merit scholarship at the all boy’s schools. Miss Porter’s, offered the best financial aid package to my daughter because they were able to offer a merit based scholarship and her academic record put her in the top five percent of their applicants, according to an administrator from the school. </p>
<p>Was she considred to be in the top five percent at the HADES schools? I doubt it. But because the single sex school applicants are such a small self selected group a kid like your son might be an outstanding candidate. </p>
<p>As to “intensely academic” being a hook, there are a bunch of threads that contain sad stories of 99% SSAT, all A students not being accepted. In fact, neato’s experience last year makes it imperative that her son has a balanced list that includes schools that “would feel lucky to have him”.</p>
<p>Aren’t schools like Kent, Peddie, Taft (and maybe NMH) supposed to be less selective? Seriously I don’t think any school is an absolute “safety”. It depends on the individual. Another possibility is that when you apply to the “safest” safety schools of your choice when you have strong stats, to protect yield, they may decline your application because you are “over-qualified”.</p>
<p>In this time of economic meltdown, there will be a significant number of intensely academic candidates applying for FA spots. To be “less selective” for admissions does not mean that it’s a cakewalk for students who need FA–the acceptance rate is the overall rate of admission. It would be very interesting to see how the acceptance rates and yield rates break down for different categories of financial need–Full pay, partial FA, full FA.</p>
<p>It is precisely the reasons that many of you have stated that I feel the need to add less selective schools to his list. I KNOW that there is no guarantee that he will receive offers at any of the schools he’ll apply to. The schools that fit him the best academically turn away hundreds of kids every year just like him (FA and full pay). Being really smart is NOT a hook by any stretch of the imagination.</p>
<p>I REALLY hate the term “safety” because it seems insulting to some really wonderful places that we would love to see him attend, but I guess that’s really what we’re looking for. I have advised him not to apply to any school that he wouldn’t think he’d be happy attending, though.</p>
<p>We have looked at all boys schools and he is not very receptive to the idea. He particularly likes debating girls (don’t ask) and said that he would miss their perspective in the classroom. I can understand that.</p>
<p>I remember the advise about picking a school that would love to have him. Good stuff. Another bit of wisdom that I remember reading (sorry I can’t remember who wrote it) was to love the school that loves you. </p>
<p>You are all great. Without this board, I really do feel like I was in this alone. It’s nice to know that there are other parents going through this and I’m thankful to be a part of this community. :)</p>
<p>Neato: In addition to the really good recommendations you have already received, there is a school I have heard wonderful things about for students who might need a little more hands-on guidance to blossom; that is Berkshire. Another school not much mentioned here is near Groton called Lawrence Academy. I know the former headmaster and respect him, so it might be worth a look, although perhaps that is too much of a “safety” for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>ok, this is going to not sit well with many people on cc, but this is my understanding, brought about by very thorough research of schools for my kids.<br>
OP – it seems that your main concern for a school, is for your son to have intellectual stimulation, be with like-minded academic kids. In this case, do the usual suspects of Andover, Deerfield, Exeter, Groton, Hotchkiss, Milton, St. Paul. Then Choate, Lawrenceville. Then Kent, Taft. Middlesex, St. Andrews, St. Marks. Then Peddie, Blair, etc… The reason is this – lets take all the FA kids out of the picture, plus the athletic ringers – if you are a full pay parent and your kid has a B+ average with a 85 plus ssat you will send your kid to the first group. Then so on down the line. Yes, a Pomfret graduate will get to a great college (I personally know several this graduating year) but only because their parents had the ability to push. So your choice comes down to – do you want your son to be in an environment that is academically challenging, or do you want him to be a superstar in a less challenging place. Some kids only thrive when they are with like minded kids, some will chug at their own pace no matter where they are. This by the way is not at all to lessen the schools that are not as academically challenging – not everyone can be a straight A student, nor will the world be an interesting place with same type of a student.</p>
<p>I dont mean to by cynical, but speaking from experience, I can tell you that if you are a potential FA candidate…and you need a good amount…then small schools (with small endowments) are the BIGGEST crapshots…because unless your son is special (and by special i mean someone who is a star athlete)…he will get waitlisted…or accepted with no FA…</p>
<p>I got into groton and middlesex with FA…i was was waitlisted at GDA (Governors) and Brooks which are nowhere near as hard to get in to…
Feel free to PM me with questions…</p>
<p>just a piece of advice: THERE ARE NO SAFETIES FOR FINANCIAL AID CANDIDATES</p>
<p>What mhmm and awarrior said makes good sense to me. I would stick with the top 20ish schools most commonly mentioned, and choose 8-10 of different levels of selectivity that provide a good amount of FA each year. In the end, an FA applicant needs to jump out of paper by its stella qualities, whether it’s academic, atheletics or something else, convincing the school he/she is a worthy investment. You may get lucky by taking chance in a “lower tier” and less well funded school (and there are successful examples), but if you need a significant amount, many of them would want their limited FA money to cover more students rather than giving a large amount to just a few, not mention the possible (as mhmm described) less than excellent academic environment you are looking for. Of course, if you can apply to 20 schools, then cover them all. Be sure to report back here after March 10 though, and let us know what works for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>You might want to have a close look at Mercersburg. They have a large boarding population (80+ percent), good academics, and a sizable endowment which is generously used for both merit scholarships and financial aid. One of my kids attended a summer sports camp at Mercersburg and very much enjoyed the experience. The campus is well kept, but rather rural. That could be either good or bad, depending upon what your son wants. Good luck!</p>
<p>Neato— did we PM a while back? Or was it another 8th grade Groton applicant? I am going to chime in here and say that he needs more safeties. Kids who need FA, live fairly close (no geographical diveristy), play no sport----need to cast a wider net. Otherwise lots of WL comes March. How about Brooks, Governors, Tabor—or to go safety range, a Canterbury, Cheshire, Gunnery, Williston? NMH wouild be good to keep on the list, they have great financial aid… Gl and pm me if you care to</p>
<p>I know newyorker22 is an industry “insider”, so I would listen to her suggestions. Out of curiosity, which eastern states outside NE are considered under-represented in NE boarding schools? I would think NY and NJ are probably not, what about Pensylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, etc.?</p>
<p>To the OP: From what I’ve read about your son, I’d actually steer away from Groton or any school with a similar size. The small size of Groton could work as a huge pain in terms of social life. I know the school has an excellent music, humanities, and debating, which are three very areas you’re looking for, but the social life is very important. You have enough crap-shoots on the list that you could replace it with an easier one. I went there, so I would welcome any PM with questions. But again, from what I’ve read, I’d discourage you from looking into Groton.</p>
Good luck!</p>