Newbie and Lost

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hi All.</p>

<p>I'm a parent of an 8th grader.</p>

<p>We just recently began exploring boarding schools.
We don't have the $. My son is smart (higher than average IQ) and has attended Johns Hopkins CTY for the last 3 summers. We were considering a Catholic Day School for HS that offers academic scholarships. Well, long story short, another parent suggested looking into boarding schools and off to the web I ran. We started our search in less than a month ago. </p>

<p>We feel out of our element.</p>

<p>What chances would you give my son?</p>

<p>His SSAT are 94%, 2235 total score. (743 Verbal; 776 math; 716 reading)</p>

<p>He goes to a small private day school now where he takes Geometry (8-10th graders mixed), Latin I, Ancient History, Physical Science, English. He got 1 B this year, the rest As. The school is PK-12th, but we can't continue to afford to send all 3 of my kids there.</p>

<p>In 7th grade he earned an award for the highest average in his class.</p>

<p>He plays school and local sports, but isn't a stand out athlete.</p>

<p>He started electric guitar last year, but doesn't play in a band or ensamble.</p>

<p>His only community service activities are through school.</p>

<p>We were only looking at schools with high endowments and with the Harkness method. My son is much more engaged and interested in school with dicussion classes so I thought Harkness was a great fit for his learning style.<br>
We visited & interviewed at NH schools (Exeter, SPS).
We'll visit NJ schools soon (Peddie, Lawrenceville)
And also George School in PA.</p>

<p>His test scores are fine, but his lack of resume may be a detriment. Frankly, his school and our town just don't have many opportunities. </p>

<p>I don't want to set up unrealistic expectations, but I also don't want to sell him short.</p>

<p>Feedback please!
Any recommendations for schools that will offer financial aid/merit?</p>

2

<p>All righty now... I noticed you are looking at schools ONLY with Harkness.
Harkness is a name, really. Many schools (most, actually) dismiss the lecture-notes style of teaching (because, is it really even teaching?) and fully support discussion based classes.
Just because they don't call it Harkness doesn't mean it's not amazing.</p>

3

<p>I don't think you need to restrict your search to Harkness-only schools. Because of small class sizes, most schools offer discussion-based learning for Humanities and Social Science classes. </p>

<p>Did you look at Mercersburg? They are in PA, and I think they offer Harkness tables and have a high endowment. I think you son's SSATs would put him in the top 25% of applicants. </p>

<p>Keep searching, and find some schools you like that would put your son in the top 25% of applicants. While CTY is wonderful, you will find that many of the applicants to the most competitive schools also participate in a talent search. Of course, if he likes the schools you have seen, then he should apply. I'm suggesting that you add a few more that are not necessarily Harkness and place him towards the top of the applicant pool.</p>

4

<p>I think that admissions officers realize that kids have different opportunities for "resume building" and they take that into account. As long as your son is taking advantage of the opportunities that are available in your town/school, I think it is realistic to apply to the schools that you mentioned. My daughter's public school, for example, has no sports whatsoever and very few extracurriculars. (Like your son, she loves CTY courses.)</p>

<p>Speaking of financial aid and small class sizes, it's hard to beat St Andrew's in Delaware. They promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and they have a student:teacher ratio of 5:1. (Harkness tables, but no mention of Harkness method in their literature.)</p>

5

<p>All the schools on your list offer need based financial support so finances should not be your primary concern. Your son's school and testing results are more than adequate. No one can give you the odds of getting into a particular school at a particular time. The only thing you can do is write the best possible application. What they are looking for seems to be talent, energy, love of learning. </p>

<p>So figure out where, for the right reasons, your son really wants to go and tell the school why he would flourish there.<br>
If you've interviewed at SPS and Exeter you should know where the ground feels warmest for your son and this should enable you to make a list of SPS type schools and Exeter type schools. Academically there is nothing to choose between but spiritually there is. </p>

<p>His chances of admission at any particular school depend on perceived 'fit' i.e., can he really take advantage of the marvellous education that each school offers and does he give something back. Don't sweat the small stuff</p>

6

<p>read my pm :)</p>

7

<p>Thanks to all of you!
I'm so glad i found this forum!
We are expanding our search and going through websites.</p>

<p>He has half days next week (Thanksgiving week) which will give him time to really spend on the search.</p>

8

<p>I would second the recommendation for St. Andy's. It's a great school, and provides a lot of financial aid. It's a wonderful school!</p>