<p>My family works for a living and all of our money goes into use and none into savings, so if I bring up boarding school I feel it will be quickly dismissed as being too much for my family to afford (they might even be upset at me even thinking about it), and also for the reason my parents are stereotypical when it comes to bs's.
I have wanted to go to boarding school for a long time, and so much espicially in the last year, however no one knows. I'm afraid of saying anything because I'm holding on to 'maybe I can' rather than asking (since after I do it will likely be crushed with a big fat no), yet if I don't try it will be too late. I would have to apply for financial aid (and hope to pay it back myself), but how do I show my parents that I can benefit from boarding school and that it is worth the money? I will explain to them the pros over the cons if/when I do confront them with this, but what else can I do? I want/need this badly, and I have a good chance at it.
I'd like them to believe, as I do, that if I go and get this education and have the oppurtunities of a bs that I can change the whole working-for-a-living pattern that has been going on for a long time in my family, but even if I do get them to believe this how can I show them that I am confidient I can pay back financial aid? How can I be sure bs is worth the dept, even with all the benefits? My parents were once in dept before, and for them it was an awful experience, so that doesn't help my chances.
How can I show them I am serious about this, and for the right reasons?
Also, I'm currently in a public school where the education isn't dead but the students are all about sex, drugs, drama, cleveage, no respect of religion, they follow the crowd (lack their individuality), there are the popular groups, the teachers hate their jobs, a lot of teaching time is wasted, most of the kids hate school, they don't offer the courses I would like to have, foul language, EVERYONE texts/eats in class etc.. etc.. On the otherhand the school is small, no one ever gets hurt, and everyone is quite friendly...still I don't belong.
cookies if you've read through this.
I hope I don't regret posting this :(
Thanks so much.</p>
<p>What grade are you in? How’s your GPA? How do the teachers feel about you? And what state do you live in? I’m assuming you have not taken SSAT’s. </p>
<p>If you have excellent grades (top 5%), SSAT’s over 90%, live in a state that does not typically send kids to b.s., and have outstanding references and extracurriculars, you might have a chance at a full ride at one of the well endowed schools like Exeter, Hotchkiss, Andover etc. It would still be necessary, however, for your parents to demonstrate a 100% need. All of this means that your chances are slim, but not zero.</p>
<p>The piece that I think you’re not aware of is that even if you don’t qualify for full financial aid, FA at many, many boarding schools (not just the top tier) is grant-based, not loans. </p>
<p>If I were you, I’d do some research on the web, then go to your parents. Show them that you’ve got specific reasons for going to bs, based on your research, specific ideas on how to pay for it, etc… We’re a family without much expendable income either, but it’s within our grasp. Good luck!</p>
<p>You don’t have to pay back FA so I think if your family isn’t doing well and u get enough FA then u won’t have to worry about paying it back plus if u get FA but not enough that’s when you have to get a loan and pay that back. Request info on the school u want to go to and then when it comes in the mail get it without your parents knowing then show it to them give them the pros and cons and hope that thy will love the idea as much as you do
Good luck I really hope u get to go</p>
<p>Aren’t you hoping to bring your horse to boarding school? Somewhat limits the choice of schools. The way you describe your present school [rough], the typical boarding school would be a step up. But there might be private day situations that could also be a step up. Start the application process yourself; prepare and take the SSAT, fill out some queries, etc. Admissions people like to see the kid drive the process, if they can.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the great responses, they all REALLY boosted my confidience on this situation. :)</p>
<p>rebelangel- I’m currently in gr 10, the teachers are always saying that I’m a great student, I haven’t taken SSAT’s, I live in Canada (I know of no one that has went to boarding school), I’m not sure about my GPA but I am an honour student (and I have good EC’s), also I’m not sure if I’m top 5 % (but I am at the top). I will have to calculate my GPA.
Thanks :)</p>
<p>classicalmama- Thanks for pointing the grants out, and good advice on how to approach the situation. Also, thanks for telling me about your own situation, it’s good to see I’m not exactly alone. :)</p>
<p>Plainjane23- I didn’t know that FA doesn’t need to be re-paid! Thanks so much for pointing this out, it feels even more a possibilty for me to go to BS now that I know this information. I’m a horseback rider and so if I attended a school with a riding program would I be able to use some of the FA for horse board & equestrian program expenses? </p>
<p>alexwoofour- Yes, I’m hoping I can take my horse with me to BS. Private day situation would be a step-up, however there isn’t any private schools around me. The closest school I know of in Canada is in BC (the other side of my country). Speaking of that school (Queen Margarets), after doing a fair amount of researching it is my first choice at the moment. It has great education, resonable admission, an equestrian program, it’s in Canada, it’s all girls, and although the students are all apparently very good students, the admittance isn’t considered difficult; infact SSAT’s are not even a requirement. It may not be a top tier school, but it is a step-up, a good considerable well known school, and it satisfies my standards of what I’m looking for in a boarding school. </p>
<p>Sorry about the inproper use of punctuation, I’m in a rush.
I hope I answered all the questions.
Thanks again!</p>
<p>How come you can afford a horse? Don’t they cost a lot of money? Wont bringing your own horse to school look a bit odd if you<code>re asking for FA? I</code>m not trying to be mean. I`m just pointing out a question that will most likely be asked in admissions.</p>
<p>maddog15- Horses aren’t expensive but affording one is still a challenge for my family. My horse costs anywhere from $50-100 p/month.
I’m very fortunate that we get our bedding free, and that our vet has other clients in my area, so that when vacinnation time comes around her costs are very in-expensive. I buy all second hand tack (which is usually christmas presents), and save money where ever possible (I even trained her myself). We also have friends that help us out so that when we need winters hay we help them bail their hay, and in return we get the hay we need, no charge.
It’s not that I can afford a horse its just because she is so important to me that we make her part of the family. Of course, with that being said keeping her would be impossible if I didn’t have the resources I do, make the sacrifices I make, or have the tendacy to work hard.
I’m afraid that this question, that maddog15 asked, will pose a problem, however I believe that bringing a horse to BS isn’t a ‘waste’ of money, but yet something that has great benefits. If I was to apply to the bs I earlier mentioned the applicants acceptance rate is higher if the school considers the applicant a prospective asset to their equestrian program. Also, their equestrian program isn’t just viewed as a sport, physical education class, or even a place to learn good life skills, it is rather treated as the fundamentals in learning about the careers in the horse industry, and getting hands-on experience- even worth high school credits. Since I’m looking to be in the horse industry for my career it is a huge plus for me.
So with this perspective on the question how do you think it will influence my chances of recieving FA? If it still does jeperodize my chances, any suggestions on what I can do?
Once again asking if I do recieve FA would I be allowed to use some of the money on the equestrian program?
Thanks for pointing this out maddog15!</p>
<p>Have you checked out the Cate School?
Are you in Canada? Canadian? Most American schools do NOT offer financial aid to foreign students, typically defined by country of residence / where your parents pay taxes.</p>
<p>if you’re a girl ethel walker has riding, you could probably bring your horse too.</p>
<p>^most schools consider Canada domestic.</p>
<p>Well it all depends on the school I think I heard of one school that FA will help with boarding horses but I can’t remember the name. When I remember what school it is I’ll tell you but it’s good to ask the schools you like yourself because the only people that kno for sure are them and I’m glad that my answer helped you I didn’t know much about FA either but this link really helps [Understanding</a> Financial Aid - Boarding School Review](<a href=“Understanding Financial Aid”>Understanding Financial Aid)</p>
<p>Regarding Canada, some schools do include Canada in their FA budget (or do set aside limited funds for foreign applicants). However, having gone through the application process recently, I am a bit leery about the public FA numbers schools post on their websites. Let’s just say that applying for FA significantly lessens your chances. And a foreign FA applicant is another possible mark against the applicant.
As a friend who works admissions told us, don’t give the school ANY reason not to accept you.</p>