My daughter is applying for the 10th grade private school in NE area. She’s applying for day school and not boarding. She is currently in the 9th grade in public school. I have a question and hope to get your help:
Though she is applying 10th grade, should she tell AO that she is open to start from the 9th grade, and open to boarding school as long as the seats available? Will it increase her admitted possibilities? Or could it have negative effect such as she has no study plan and just desperately want an offer? She has no financial support needed. Thank you!
If she’s genuinely open to boarding, and open to either 9th or 10th, you’ll likely increase her chances a lot by being open with the Admission staff about this.
The greatest competition at most day+boarding schools is for 9th grade day spots.
If she’s open to boarding and/or repeating 9th, she should let them know that. But it’s also fine to let them know your preference is for 10th and day (if it is.)
Is she only applying to one school? If so I think you can genuinely say “my daughter loves your school. If it makes her admission more likely/smoother she would be willing to repeat 9th or board.”
But be really certain she’d be ok repeating and/or boarding. Boarding is a big deal. Don’t think that she can accept a boarding spot but then come home when she wants to. Most schools have rules about how often a boarding student can leave campus. Repeating is less of a big deal imo because there are so many repeats at many schools and I think it almost always gives the student an edge.