<p>^^ +1</p>
<p>Well, considering that most BS’s that people consider going to are in the 10-40 ish range, anything above that, I think, could be considered a “safety”.</p>
<p>But then again, that’s just my opinion.</p>
<p>Yes, I applied to a safety school and got in. It’s not my first choice but I’d still be excited to go.</p>
<p>1) Yes, in fact our safety school is smaller, more regional than national, and FANTASTIC. I almost think its out first choice and not our safety, BUT due to the above things, they don’t offer as much financial aid (well that has yet to be seen, as I have seen no numbers from them (although my daughter has already been accepted). So we’ll see.</p>
<p>Yes, I too applied to a safety school based on recommendation. And luckily for me, I got in! I am actually quite excited to go for my safety school because after doing the application process, I actually realised that my safety school isn’t that bad. As a matter of fact, it has its good points that I am quite excited about! :P</p>
<p>1) yes – I applied to 2
2) I’m not positive. I visited both after I had already paid the application fee and for one of them (not saying tha name bc people will get upset that it’s a saftey for me - I have a legacy) I just didn’t like the feel of the school. It was not the type of school I would fit in at. As for the other saftey, I liked it, but the junior history class I visited was not as rigorous as I had hoped. So long story short - I don’t know. It also depends on FA and revisit days. </p>
<p>Sometimes what people "know"about a school is based on outdated information. For example, nine years ago, Berkshire would have been a safety. But the school has really been transformed since then, and is quite desirable. Last year, they had over 1000 apps for 120 spots. And Gunnery has long had the rep of not being very rigorous… But their new headmaster from Lawrenceville is making changes in that area.</p>
<p>@cameo43- So very true. I’ve also heard that schools like Canterbury and Pomfret were swamped with applications this year. I think it’s fair to say that all favorable decisions to any of these schools will be a feather in one’s cap. If you get in- sing it from the rooftop. All four are amazing schools plus every single one is located in God’s Country. I can’t think of a better backdrop to spend four years… each location is truly spectacular. </p>
<p>I meant to add Salisbury, too. Even though it’s all boys, it’s off the charts popular this year, too.</p>
<p>1) yes, I had two
2) probably not… I mean if have to visit. But the thought is not at all appealing even though they are still good schools</p>
<p>Yes! My safeties are very good, even if they’re not the best. My top choice wait listed me, so I’m hoping they’ll accept me. Love the school that loves you, no?</p>
<p>More of the same this year from posters:<br>
I got rejected/WL by St. Grotchover Chexfield and only admitted by my safety school, but I don’t want to go there…</p>
<p>I often wonder what people mean when they say “the best”. Is it best for you or what other people think is the best? And if it’s not the best for you- why did you apply in the first place? </p>
<p>(not directed at anyone in particular)</p>
<p>I am wondering why people apply to safety schools when they don’t intend to attend. Isn’t safety supposed to be good enough to enroll when rejected by other priority schools. If people apply to priority schools, get rejected but feel like they will have better chances next year and give up safety, then it is understandable. Otherwise, why apply to safety in the first place? </p>
<p>To me, safety is not the least competitive school that accepts students as long as they are willing to pay tuition. Just asking… </p>
<p>That is a very good question, @patronyork.</p>
<p>Off topic, but…</p>
<p>I’m a little concerned about the number of threads (this year) asking people to compare this school to that school. Some threads have a certain ego trip quality to them while others leave you wondering if the person bothered to research any of the schools to begin with. Either way… it doesn’t leave a good impression. Sometimes it feels like some people chose their schools using a dartboard. </p>
<p>It’s one thing to be genuinely torn between two schools ( you’ve researched and love) and quite another to be torn and somewhat clueless about anything the schools (you applied to!!) offer. You’d think between the interview and M10, most people would at least have some idea why they filled out the application… </p>
<p>@patronyork maybe it’s bragging rights? This year we had a family in our class apply to most of the NYC private schools. The mom told me that they wouldn’t send their dd to more than half of those schools but she wanted to see how many accepts their dd would get. So annoying. This child is very smart and always at the top of the class…and the mom knew she would be very sought after but why apply to schools, get offered a spot when they have no interest in these schools…that spot could go to a student who really loves that school. It was all for bragging rights. The worst part is that they held on to most spots for most of the month they had before contracts were due. Our school’s HS advisor had to intervene and tell them they must pic 2-3 schools to revisit and release the rest because they were being unfair to others who were WL and hoping for a spot. </p>
<p>After we had made a big deal of not making threads like that, so many people posted different threads comparing schools. @PhotographerMom it really did bother me.</p>
<p>Some of the threads are possibly posted by people who live overseas, or who have not been able to visit the schools in question. </p>
<p>It would be super nice if the overseas crowd included that tidbit ( about not being able to visit ) in their post. Most overseas families (I know) research schools six ways to Sunday and work closely with an EC. If they want to inquire about culture or specific things- excellent! If they’re simply trying to gauge which school is more prestigious… throw a dart. I’m getting the feeling that some people are a little too concerned about which school decal will look better on the family SUV… </p>
<p>Well, for me, there are two types of safeties. The most common one is an academic safety, which is pretty much self-explanatory at this point. The other type of safety is known as an attendance safety, which is the school that you least desire to attend out of all of the schools on your list; you would only attend if you have been rejected from all the other schools you applied to. I have one academic safety and two attendance safeties.</p>
<p>So, to answer your question: Yes and yes.</p>