<p>Applications, that is. With common app's, it's possible for a kid to apply to more than a dozen schools without too much effort. And we'd rather include a few extras now than be kicking ourselves in February (or March!) that we left one out when we shouldn't have. But is there a point at which one school is going to to hold it against an applicant that he or she applied to so many other schools?</p>
<p>Second, any thoughts on remote (Skype, telephone or alumni) interviews? Any experiences, good or bad?</p>
<p>For a couple of schools, we have no choice. For others, though, it's simply a question of whether or not the kid is willing to miss school for an interview. And, for the most part, he's not. Once we fit in everything we can on weekends and holidays, there are a few that we just can't get to - primarily because the only days they do interviews are school days. And they're far enough away that it means losing the entire day. I've got no problem taking him down on a weekend, just to wander around, talk to people and get a feel for the place. It's the interview itself that's the problem. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>If your son’s interest in a particular boarding school is not serious enough that he is willing to miss a day of school for an interview there, that seems like a strong signal that you should dismiss that boarding school from consideration.</p>
<p>Responding in reverse; IMO, if you can, schedule the interviews now. Most of the BS do not have the same holidays as the PS so there should be plenty of open days, practically every 3 weeks, so your child won’t miss school. Many BS make an effort to reserve the weekends/Saturday for those who live out of state. You want face time, personally I’m not a big fan of skype, telephone or alumni interviews. See if there is “Admissions on the road” and if they’ll be in a town or city nearby. It’s not easy and the logistics are different for everyone. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Of course the more schools, the more chaotic, for lack of a better word. We really limited our selves the first time to 3 schools. Completely against what I wanted, which was about 5 or 6. Needless to say he got in all 3. Second time around it was worse, only applied to 2 and again I wanted 5-6 and again he got in both. But believe we may have had an advantage in being familiar with boarding schools and knowing not just what we wanted but really what was the right place for the boys. Allegedly the reasoning for the low number of applications. Of course I still didn’t like it and when and if the third comes around, I’ll still object. Part of my giving in is because I don’t agree with reaches or safeties. There are a lot of great schools out there and no need to place your kid into what could be a pressure cooker, which is no fun for 4 years. Those so called pressure cookers may not be considered that for the right kid. The safeties would be too loosey goosey with the possibility of slacking off or not being challenged enough. There other particulars, ssat scores, day vs. boarder, location, sports, languages offered, size that might also be considered to help narrow the least. It’s not easy, but it can be and should be exciting for both the prospective student and parents. Good luck.</p>
<p>Why doesn’t he want to miss school to interview? I worry about the missed time but my daughter is not in the least bit concerned about it. She will have five days missed after all scheduled interviews have been completed.</p>
<p>Personally, I think more than 5 or 6 apps is just too much work, but if you need FA or if local public school is not a backup option, I could definitely see why people apply to more. We also did not use the common app other then the shared profile info. My child answered each school’s individual essay questions. Yes, a lot of work but showed commitment to that school.</p>
<p>Throughout the boarding school application process, I believe it is important to show interest. One of the main ways of showing interest is to visit the school and interview at the school. If you live across the country or internationally, the schools will understand not doing so. However, if you live within a 4-5 hour drive or shorter, I think not visiting will be read as lack of interest which will lower your child’s chances. </p>
<p>I think a few missed days of school are worth it. You can visit on school holidays like Columbus Day and Veteran’s day as BS typically are in session on those days. Book ASAP however as those days fill up quickly. Also, we used the random workshop days where our public school was closed as well.</p>
<p>First, in response to ops, been there, done that! Started scheduling interviews during the summer so that we could make use of every available free day. A logistical nightmare that has turned out pretty well. Unfortunately, your experience of an available, school-free day every 3 weeks or so is not the same as ours. We have very, very few days when the school schedules mesh that neatly.</p>
<p>Which brings me to Mainer95 and neatoburrito’s comments . . . Both school and extracurriculars this year are quite intense. And because the school is on a block schedule, any day missed is significant. So, yes, he can do it if he has to, but making up the missed work will be a significant undertaking. If, as ops suggests, “face time” is important, then we’ll do what we have to do. I suspect he’s taken on a bit more than he can handle this term, and something may just have to fall by the wayside.</p>
<p>ops, I appreciate your thoughtful comments regarding the number of applications. I know we’re overcompensating for last year, when he relied primarily on two schools (long story) and it didn’t work out. It’s just hard to set a limit . . .</p>
<p>SevenDad - You’re quite right, your thread is wonderful, and I should have looked at it before I started this one!</p>
<p>The one thing that stands out in that thread is how much importance everyone places on the school visits - not to increase the kid’s chances of getting in, but to help the kid learn about the different schools. Unfortunately, for us, it doesn’t seem to work that way. My son has yet to meet a school he doesn’t like. And the more schools he visits, the more schools he wants to apply to! If we ever get to the point that the visits actually help to pare down our list of possibles, I’ll be thrilled . . . but I’m not holding my breath!</p>
<p>Just wanted to put in a word of support for a kid who doesn’t want to miss classes to go to interviews---- makes sense to me. Everyone’s different, some kids will prioritize the interviews above attending classes at current school, and some won’t. The schools have other ways to interview for a reason. Go when you can, but when you can’t, take advantage of an alternative.</p>