Though my 2014-2015 M10 did not go as expected, I am planning on re-applying for the 15-16 admission season. Who else is considering re-applying and what will you do differently from last year?
What do you plan to do differently, @LaxPrep? I hope you have a better M10 this time!
Something I hope to focus on this year is the quality of my EC’s rather than the shear quantity. Though it is interesting to talk about a variety of clubs, activities etc. I believe a few impressive EC’s is better than signing up for every club your school offers.
Another area I was somewhat inexperienced with last year was deciding what the right number of schools to apply to was. Perhaps applying to more schools this year would increase the chances of getting admitted.
Hopefully depending on my family’s situation I won’t be hindered by the need for financial aid, as I know FA can break even the most solid of applicants.
Though I have faced rejection before, I hope this year M.10 will end in celebration.
Thanks for the comment! @cameo43
No “perhaps” about that, but your list needs to be well-crafted not just long.
Good point @ChoatieMom
What would be considered a well-crafted list for someone who needs financial aid? Just curious.
That list would include schools that are not only a good fit, but where your stats would make you a standout. The more a school wants to add you to their community, the more likely you are to get the FA you need.
I am not sure where you applied last year, but since I am assuming from your user name that you play lacrosse, have you considered Portsmouth Abbey School? They have a very strong lacrosse program with a well-respected coach.
I seem to remember that you mainly applied to the very tippy top tier schools… if that was so, consider some of the very fine schools in the next tier (or two!) down. They will all give you a very fine education, and you may find that the sports programs will also suit you. In fact, sometimes you might get more playing time, or make a higher team at a smaller school.
Good luck to you!
I know the tippy top are stretches for EVERY unhooked (whatever that might mean or be…) student and even though my DD may apply to one or both of the Phillipses, I know its a super-stretch for many reasons. She “may” have a niche situation they “may” be interested in but still we know our chances… Our net is wide and we are visiting the following and might narrow the application from there: Choate, Deerfield, Loomis Chaffee, NMH, Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, St. George’s School (RI), Hotchkiss, Suffield, Westminster, and Williston Northampton. Maybe adding Miss Porter’s and Dana Hall too… It may come down to FA because from what I’ve read here, consider applying to schools where your student will shine academically might actually increase your student’s odds tremendously. So yes this collection of schools has SSAT scores from 50s through the mid 90s - what I think is a wide net. I guess only time will tell.
Take a look at Berkshire School, @MAandMEmom. It is an extraordinary school that does not get the attention it deserves on this forum.
@MAandMEmom: If Porter’s and Dana Hall are on your “maybe” list, I’d add Emma Willard. They have one of the strongest FA programs in the country. I was very impressed with it based on 7D2’s search and application process.
Totally agree with SevenDad on Emma Willard. I couldn’t ultimately get my daughter to look at any all girls schools, but I investigated them in the hopes of convincing her to go see at least one, and I was super-impressed by Emma Willard. I liked it way better than Dana Hall (sorry if I just offended anyone).
Thanks much @SevenDad and @soxmom. We will definitely take a peek at Emma Willard. We are in eastern MA so nearly 3.5 seems a bit daunting – for me and maybe not her. DD is a cellist and the arts seem to be a good focus there – I love that they’ve added the “A” in STEM for STEAM showing they are forward-thinking in that area. Berkshire’s site looks phenomenal @cameo43 but swimming is a prerequisite for DD.
Although my daughter chose a different girls’ school, we visited Emma twice and really, really liked it. Their Open House was very impressive – the arts performances were wonderful.
We loved Peddie. If swimming is a big deal, I think Peddie has a tremendous program from what I understand.
Peddie is generous, down to earth, rigorous, close to NYC and slightly easier to get into.
Poor @MAandMEmom: They are not making your life easier, are they? 
Too many “plausible” options… Good luck!
She’s pretty fast in her best events (AAA USA times) @ProudLoomisDad but I’m not certain she’s Peddie fast:) They are crazy fast. That being said she would likely score points for them, especially in relays and would break their top 10 times – definitely not the fastest of the lot though. But that’s even farther at more than 4 hours away. And financial aid may be the deal-breaker.
@MAandMEmom: Not trying to push you outside your geo comfort zone (after all, both of our girls were/are within 2:30 hours drive) but I would not be worried about FA at Peddie if they want your daughter. I just looked at their site and they seem to have a fairly robust FA program…40% of student body receives some aid and (if my math is correct) the average grant is about $32,000.
As noted by others here and elsewhere, the perception that only the “HADES” level schools are generous with aid is not true. I’d go so far to say that for the most part, if any of the schools mentioned on the forum with any frequency wants a kid, they will make it happen. Which is why the strategy of applying to schools where the applicant would be a “catch” (on the high end of the applicant pool or possessing some quality/talent the the school in question desires) is a wise one — especially for those needed FA.
You never know until you apply. Peddie has a great reputation and the vibe there is fantastic. We found them to be very generous as well.
As far as the distance, I think very many of us ended up choosing boarding schools further away than we originally planned, and although it’s more of a challenge, I’m not sure it should be a deal-breaker. We are finding that DS simply is too busy/exhausted for much face to face parent time anyway. He and most of his peers try to catch up on sleep every free moment.
I guess you are both right @SevenDad and @ProudLoomisDad and we should consider it at least. I will chat with DD about Peddie certainly. The option for swimming all three seasons may be nice for her – but at the expense of other interests probably. I guess it will come down to those SSAT scores which we are not-so-patiently waiting.