<p>I’ve been reading the prep school discussion for a while and would like to as some questions hoping I am posting at the right discussion thread. </p>
<li><p>Is there a separate discussion thread for private day school in MA? I would like to know our options for applying private day schools in MA.</p></li>
<li><p>Some prep schools, such as PA, Groton, etc. offer both day and boarding options, is there a difference in the chances of getting accepted wrt applying for day or boarding?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it recommended to do our family tour of the prep schools before we actually go for the interview?</p></li>
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<p>Any response, suggestions, information will be greatly appreciated.</p>
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<li>you could always search it up, but there's no specific topic here about day schools in MA. feel free to make one though :)</li>
<li>if you apply as a day student, obviously you have to be near the school (im guessing you do live in MA though, and quite near these schools?) i heard that andover has impossible day student acceptances, but that's andover (and i might have heard the exact opposite LOL but im guessing the crazy acceptance rates are true for and) and with the school, it depends on how many day/boarding students they accept. if 90% of them are boarding, it's a safe bet that a nice little comfort package on march 10 won't be so easy to get. if it's more to 60, then obviously it will be easier. (again, there may be various fallacies in my logic. forgive me. i am not worthy. .... rawr.)</li>
<li>the school offers tours as well, or if that's what you were talking about in the first place, then im guessing it comes right before the interview so not too much to worry. advice from many old CCers; bring a camera. use it. own it.</li>
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<p>There have been discussions of day schools (often in MA). Since these appeal to a smaller audience, they tend to be quieter. I suggest you start a thread - give us an idea of what you are looking for and I'm sure folks with opinions will appear.
From my very limited knowledge (one family I know that applied to a school with both day and boarding): the application is slightly different. The acceptance rate may be different as well - this may vary from school to school.
For day schools - often you can visit and interview separately, often these are combined. For at least one Boston area school, you must apply before the tour. (Roxbury Latin). However, for day schools, you can also visit the school at an open house before doing an individual tour.</p>
<p>The acceptance rate does differ between boarding/day - sometimes there are advantages to applying as a boarder and sometimes not. Note that some schools have very strict rules about who can be a day student - for example, only students who live in Andover, N. Andover and one or two other towns can be day students at PA. Milton prefers that boarding students live outside I-495 (if you are from MA, you know what I mean!). Middlesex takes local boarders with some reluctance - depends on circumstances. Concord Academy will take local boarders.
Most schools do prefer to tour and interview at the same time. You can always drive/walk around a campus on your own or go see a game or something to get a feel w/o taking a formal tour. You certainly don't need to go before interviewing - reading the school's materials and the website will give you the info you need. Open Houses are another great way to see a school w/o any commitment - a list of the Open Houses in New England is available at the Association of Independent Schools of New England (<a href="http://www.aisne.org)%5B/url%5D">www.aisne.org)</a>.
Best of luck</p>
<p>Here is the information about towns of residence and boarding/day students, from the Andover web site. Note that most schools seem to indicate that you have to choose when you apply, and that it is not possible or is very difficult to switch from day to boarding:</p>
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[quote]
Students residing in the towns of Andover and North Andover must apply as day students. </p>
<p>Applicants from the following cities and towns have a choice of applying as a day student or boarding student: </p>
<p>In Massachusetts, Bradford, Boxford, Dracut, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynnfield, Methuen, Middleton, North Reading, Reading, Tewksbury and Wilmington. </p>
<p>In New Hampshire, Atkinson, Pelham, Plaistow and Salem. </p>
<p>IMPORTANT: Applicants must make a one-time decision when their application is submitted whether they will be applying as a day student or boarding student.
<p>Start out with a search on BS review dot com or petersons. If you know you definitely want a MA school, you've already narrowed down the field considerably.</p>
<p>Consider the usual: geography, urban/suburban/rural, size of student body, size of campus, coed or single gender, sports offerings, academic specialties, etc. If you have yet to visit a school, you should plan some visits early to get an idea of what is important to you. </p>
<p>If you have an obvious "on paper" favorite, don't visit there first. Wait until you've had a chance to tour and interview at other schools to gain some experience. Do your homework so you'll be able to ask some questions whose answers are not readily available online.</p>
<p>And, as an earlier poster said, don't forget the camera!</p>
<p>Once you have an interest in particular MA schools, ask about them in CC. Many of us are familiar with the schools and can offer advice before your visits.</p>
<p>nemom, siemom, BrooklynGuy and baseballmom,</p>
<p>Thank you all for the information and advices. There are so many supportive and knowledgeable people here to offer help, I will start asking questions :-) Will start different threads on different topics.</p>
<p>I am thinking we can consider mostly MA schools, and some NH schools for boarding. </p>
<p>As far as boarding/day school choices, I would prefer day school because I would love to see the kids everyday. If the school like PA does not allow us to apply as day student, we'll have to go with boarding. Sigh! And if this can help them to get in, than we'll apply as boarding for the schools that offer both options.</p>
<p>I thinking open house is a good way to explore the school. Thank you, we'll be busy this fall.</p>