<p>I have recently become interested in boarding schools and have been doing quite a bit of looking around on this site as well as many others. My problem is that I have few to no ECs. However, I do have fairly good grades and I expect I will do well on the PSAT/SSAT. ECs are just something I have never gotten interested in where I live, as not many are offered, but I would of course want to become much more involved in a BS and plan to include that in applications/essays/interviews. What chances do I have of getting in somewhere? Also, I am NOT talking about the "elite" schools (Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, etc.) but schools not usually mentioned on this board that have much higher acceptance rates and low(er) average SSAT and SAT scores. Thanks in advance for any help</p>
<p>Need to know more about you. Do you think you will be needing financial aid? Do you have any interesting hobbies or have had interesting experiences. Schools are looking for people of good character who WANT to try things. And looking at the not-as-competitive schools isn't a bad thing because it is about the experience that YOU want.</p>
<p>Schools don't just look at ECs. But you should also stack up a little better than average academically, if you are not bringing extras.</p>
<p>What type of boarding school experience interests you? Artistic, athletic, outdoorsy, socially conscious? Do you have a religious bent? These are things that will help you find a place that interests you. And schools want kids who have interests in THEIR programs. You've probably seen it mentioned but fit works both ways between a student and school.</p>
<p>I was kind of like you - interested in boarding school, definitely not the elite schools, no extracurriculars except for horseback riding. I got into the one school I applied to, and it isn't one of really competitive schools, but that isn't what mattered to me - I was more looking for a different type of community than my previous school and that's what I got. I love my new school, and I'm involved in extracurriculars (so most of them have to do with horses, but they're my passion) and I'm in a couple of leadership positions that I never would have had at public school. You can definitely get in somewhere, look for a school that has the kind of things you want to do.</p>
<p>Chances of admission for the non-elite, non- ultra competitive schools are greatly enhanced if you do not need financial aid. Boarding schools look for ECs because you live together 24/7 and everyone needs to contribute to the extracurricular life of the community. There are about 300 U.S. boarding schools and a few great ones in British Columbia, Canada.</p>
<p>What do you mean by you don't have ECs?</p>
<p>Think about what your day is like and where your interests lie. Do you wake up, go to school, do homework, watch TV and sleep? Or are there other things that keep you occupied? Do you feel passionately about nothing besides academics?</p>
<p>What you want to show -- or what schools want to see -- is someone who will thrive beyond 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Are you going to be engaged in the community outside of academic pursuits? If so, in what ways? These are the things that help define the EC portion of your application. Signing up for clubs means nothing. Participating in the ebb and flow of your hometown community -- even if it's in nonstructured activities -- tells the Admissions Committees whether you're the kind of person who will succeed and be satisfied as a student in boarding school.</p>
<p>If your nonacademic life is dominated by TV/Wii/World of Warcraft, then you're not going to be attractive to a boarding school. Not because they want to see more stamp club members and rodeo clowns...but because they're going to be concerned that you're going to be lost from 3 pm to lights out every day.</p>
<p>But I bet that if you think about it, you have some significant things to talk about and share with an Admissions Committee that really show off the fact that you're the kind of person who's going to look at that 3 pm to lights out zone as being fraught with adventure and opportunities.</p>
<p>If I apply, financial aid is something that I will rely heavily on if accepted, which I understand may make things more difficult but is honestly just the way it is.
I am like Arky in that I am looking mostly for the experience and a change from my current school, which doesn't offer too many opportunities.
I am not so glad (lol) to admit that I am one of those who, although I do well in school, pretty much ends it when the bell rings at 3:10. This is not to say that I do not want to become involved in sports or activites because that is actually a part of my reasons for being interested in boarding school; it has other ECS that football, which my school doesn't seem to believe.
I'm not trying to blame it on my school(well...maybe a little...=P) but before now I really have just never felt the need/want to get involved in it.
This is a large disadvantage to basically not knowing boarding schools existed, that I didn't consider ECs very important, or something I'd need in the near future.</p>
<p>Also, this is off topic but could someone tell me what they consider when giving fa? I know they obviously use salaries as well as land owned and things of that nature, but what about money parents owe?</p>
<p>Boarding schools are, just like the elite colleges, looking for self motivated passion and commitment to an interest or activity. Many schools view financial aid as an investment in a deserving person who will somehow make the campus, neighborhood or world a better place. Your posts do not present yourself in a very attractive light. Financial aid considers debt as well as all other liabilities, assets and earnings.</p>
<p>Agree with icy9ff8. Even if you like to spend your time fishing and exploring the pond behind your house, that could be played up as much as being on a handful of different clubs. Think Thoreau. If asked what he did for the past couple of years, he could say, "Oh, nothing...I just hung around and avoided people," or he could say, "Oh my gosh! I am so glad you asked! It was incredible. You need to know about this...so let me tell you...."</p>
<p>If you're involved in the regular, structured ECs, you have the benefit of conveying your experience in shorthand. You can put down, "Tennis team, captain" or "Coin Collector Club, Secretary" and they'll have a good idea of what you do without more explanation. But if you do other things, that can be just as excellent. You'll just need to spend a little more time and effort communicating these things and your passion for them.</p>
<p>Maybe you don't do anything and crawl into a hole after school -- as you're suggesting. Well, that's the opposite of what most prep boarding schools want. Don't get your hopes up.</p>
<p>But if you do something with your time -- whatever it is -- you need to be extra intentional about communicating those things to the schools and help them understand that you're very receptive to tapping in to their EC offerings to boot. It's a bit of an uphill battle, but if you're not going to make the effort and dwell on how you don't do much of anything -- you might as well not be doing anything. And, like I said, that's not good. And if you're asking for FA to be an iffy fit...that's really not good.</p>
<p>If there's nothing for you to offer, I'm not going to encourage you to go through with this.</p>
<p>If there is something for you to offer, you need to totally reshape the way you present it -- beginning with this message board -- as you really need to sell yourself and whatever it is that you do do after school.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyones help.
I guess I'm just not really understanding ECs they want to know. There are things I love to do but it does not mean I do them on a daily basis after school. Are these things they want to hear about, or no?
What exactly is the difference between an extracurricular and a hobby, to schools? anything?</p>
<p>Well, in your case the answer is simple. You don't have the routine, common activities to fill in. Or talk about during an interview. So you can leave it blank (probably not good) or you can take the expansive view that a hobby or nonacademic passion, whether self-directed or not, is the same as any other EC.</p>
<p>I'll leave this question open for another day for the student who has a tough time choosing from lots of traditional ECs and hobbies and passions -- as to which ones to discuss/disclose. In your case, there seems to be no choice. If you don't have any traditional ECs to list, then guess what? Your position is going to be that hobbies and the like constitute ECs. What's more, in your interview the Admissions Counselor is going to be totally sold on this position because, at least in your case, your enthusiasm for your outside of school-based activities will be infectious! Right?</p>
<p>I don't mean to sound negative -- but the comment you made really made me want to comment:</p>
<p>"This is a large disadvantage to basically not knowing boarding schools existed, that I didn't consider ECs very important, or something I'd need in the near future" </p>
<p>Boarding schools are not really looking for kids who did ECs because they knew they would be important when they applied to BS. They are looking for kids who naturally engage in the outside world and are always looking for opportunities. You don't have to play a varsity sport, be in the honor society and belong to three school clubs -- the type of student they are looking for is one that has explored the options available to them in their school and in their community and has pursued those things that interest them.</p>
<p>If you truly just go to school, come home and veg in front of the television, I think you need to seriously think about whether you really want to go to boarding school. When you are a BS student, you will be busy and engaged most of the time -- classes, sports, clubs, study hall, socializing, etc. That is a lot of time spent doing things and with other people -- and it isn't for everyone! some kids really need to come home and veg -- my oldest son would not have done well in a boarding school environment in 9th grade (he started a BS program in 11th, 2nd semester). He just needed that down time from all the people and activities that he was involved with during the day.</p>
<p>All of the adults here on this board are very willling to help you out in your desire to find a good school -- but we also give advice on whether it is the best choice for you.</p>
<p>Can you list some of the reasons why you want to go to boarding school? Try and be specific -- not just "better school".</p>
<p>And finally -- one school you might want to check out -- Conserve. <a href="http://www.conserveschool.org/home/home.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.conserveschool.org/home/home.asp</a></p>
<p>they are a newer boarding school and not on the east coast (in fact, they are miles from anywhere). Because of that, they don't get a flood of top applicants. They have excellent facilities and faculty, great college placement and might be a good choice. They also have excellent financial aid -- it is not the best choice for every student, but it might be a great school for you.</p>
<p>To get a general idea of how much your parents would be expected to pay, have you mom or dad go to this link <a href="http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml</a> and fill in the numbers as accurately as possible. Select institutional methodology. This will give you a general idea.</p>
<p>I understand boarding school is not for everyone and I may not end up going, but the bottom line is I will not attend my current school next year and am looking for options, including BS which was actually recommended to me by a psychologist.
I will be the first to admit that I am not someone who naturally becomes invloved in things. ECs are just not something that are common if you don't play sports.
As for reasons to go to a boarding school: more academic opportunities, many choices of sports/clubs, meeting new people, more structed, and of course the added bonus of getting away from everyone I know(lol.) are a few.
I have actually looked at Conserve already and have requested information.
I appreciate all help, and I know that I may not have a chance at many schools, if any, but as it as one of the last options, I am making an effort to research it.</p>
<p>It does sound like you have some valid reasons for a least checking out boarding schools -- although I am a little concerned with the fact that you were led in that direction by the recommendation of a psychologist. There are, indeed, boarding schools that also offer assistance for students with ADHD, ADD and LD's along with truely theraputic boarding schools -- but my knowledge regarding those is extremely limited and I believe they are very costly.</p>
<p>Boarding schools tend to be more stressful and overwhelming than local options, whether private or public, so they are looking for mature, capable and flexible students to attend. They don't want you to have a bad experience -- but rather a great experience.</p>
<p>four other schools you might look at -- all with good FA possibilities (like conserve, many students are on FA) and they are not schools that the top students generally apply to. All four are "different" for various reasons and so, like Conserve, are not the best fit for all students -- but they might be perfect for you!</p>
<p>Scattergood Friends <a href="http://www.scattergood.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.scattergood.org/</a></p>
<p>Culver Academy <a href="http://www.culver.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.culver.org/</a></p>
<p>The School at Church Farm <a href="http://www.gocfs.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.gocfs.net/</a></p>
<p>olney friends school <a href="http://www.olneyfriends.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.olneyfriends.org/</a></p>
<p>LOL, sorry if I gave the wrong impression but I don't need a school with ADD/ADHD/LDs...I went to the psychologist for the fact that I am strongly disliking my current school and my parents wanted me to get some advice on what we could do about it/what she thought we should consider.
But thanks
:]</p>
<p>tneedshelp - </p>
<p>The schools listed in post #14 are not necessarily schools for LD/ADHD/etc. In fact, from my knowledge of Culver, that would be one of the last places I would send a LD type.</p>
<p>It sounds like you need a change of scenery, most of all, which is a valid reason to consider boarding school.</p>
<p>I think what some of the others are trying to find out from you are things that you do after 3 PM to make suggestions. </p>
<p>Now where you come from, your school may have few ECs, but do you do things with your church/synagogue/temple/other house of worship? Do you have a job (mowing lawns, delivering papers, babysitting, etc.). Schools want to see people who are engaged in productive activities as opposed to those who isolate themselves. They do help bring shy people out of their shells, but they do expect some level of interest in at least some activity.</p>
<p>If you spend the majority your afternoons and weekends plugged into an electronic device, you probably need to find other persuits to demonstrate the type of involvement that boarding schools want in their students.</p>
<p>C'mon. Tell us a bit more so we can help you.</p>
<p>I know those schools are not only for people with LDs, I just thought what was said in the first part though she meant the psychologist=LD.
No, I am not religious. I have jobs during the summer, but not usually during the school year, as I have no way of getting there. Are schools looking more for things you have been doing for many years or are the also in favor of new things you are trying/joining? Although they may not be considered ECs, what about classes in school such as cooking/sewing/etc? Could those things be helpful or are they looked at as just a class?</p>
<p>thanks for the clarification -- I just wanted to mention the info about ADD/ADHD/LD so you didn't get steered in the wrong direction.</p>
<p>All the schools I have mentioned are good, solid boarding schools which send kids to excellent colleges -- and are not theraputic boarding schools. I should have been clearer in my post. The reason I suggested Culver, Conserve, Scattergoods Friends, The School At Church Farm and Olney Friends is that all of those schools have a reputation for providing excellent financial aid for a good number of their students AND they are not schools where the super competitive Andover/Exeter/St. Paul's students are likely to apply. What that means is that those schools may be just the place for you to gain admission, financial aid and a better placement for school next year. Take some time to check them out -- they are all very different, but excellent schools. Even without any ECs, those schools may be perfectly happy to accept you if you explain that you are looking for opportunities that just weren't available to you at your present school.</p>
<p>I did look at some of those schools you posted(and will be requesting info for a couple). When I said I didn't have an LD I was just referring to the first part. And thanks for giving a few schools to look at, I'm open to pretty much anywhere and figure gathering information on many different ones can't hurt</p>
<p>Also, is Culver really considered one of those schools? According to boardingschoolreview,even though I know its not updated often, Culver appears to have a much higher acceptance rate than the others you posted. Is there something I'm missing that makes it similar to them as far as competition?
(Not sure if that was all really worded correct but if you understand it, thanks, lol)</p>
<p>Having spent some time talking with a Culver admissions officer on one occasion (while my D was taking the SSAT there even though we were not applying - they didn't need a goalie), Culver is probably one place where you ECs (or lack therof) probably won't make as much of a difference as other schools. From my conversation (and I made it clear that we were not applicants so I think I wasn't getting the spin), they rate character, leadership and a desire to succeed higher than EC resume items (i.e. interview > ECs).</p>
<p>As to why the higher acceptance rate - quite frankly it puzzles me. The only thing I can figure is it's location (rural Indiana) attracts fewer applicants than the eastern boarding schools. Most easterners wouldn't consider Culver or other out-of-region boarding schools. And being an easterner (I am assuming this because of your general interest in BS - not common in the midwest), I would hope that this would be in your favor admissionswise.</p>
<p>And if you are still concerned that the relatively higher acceptance rate is an indication of a weaker school, I know they have their college matriculation lists on their site and from what I can see, theirs is as good as any school not in the top-10 (AESDCH et al) in the east. They place several at Ivy League every year as well as a greater majority of their students at very wide variety of other top schools.</p>
<p>And on the financial side, I believe it is a bit less expensive to start with than the eastern boarding schools (about $5K IIRC). So a $10K or $15K grant goes a lot farther.</p>