quick help needed on chances at deerfield, choate and exeter

Prep School Admissions
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<p>now that my younger son is considering boarding schools, my older son would also like to apply -- this year!.</p>

<p>He would be applying for 11th grade and has taken the PSAT.</p>

<p>He would need FA. I am wondering if he has a chance at these schools -- if he wouldn't really be in the running, I don't want to waste the application fees (it is alot of money to us).</p>

<p>he is interested in deerfield, choate and exeter (because they teach Arabic -- which is the foreign language he takes).</p>

<p>Caucasian male from Colorado
Low-Income
PSAT: 67 CR 54 M 65 W
3.9 UW GPA (mostly college classes)
homeschooled -- but classes taken at CC, local college or online
Very rigorous curriculum in humanities (math is standard path -- taking ALG II now)
definitely shows his passion -- World Religions -- through activities, travel, conferences, etc.
great EC's with good leadership -- Eagle scout, Order of the Arrow, HOBY,
a few national awards (national essay contest, scholarships)
went to cairo, egypt last year on us state department sponsored scholarship
tons of community service hours -- presidential volunteer service award -- gold
spending this spring semester at an outdoor, experiential boarding school with great financial aid (it is just a one semester program)</p>

<p>If someone could tell me really quickly whether he would be in the running for admission and excellent FA, i would appreciate it. The apps are due this week -- so I don't have a ton of time for research.</p>

<p>THANKS!</p>

2

<p>The spots for eleventh grade are quite competitive, but he has some impressive things, such as the ECs, awards, and volunteering, which are pretty impressive, in my opinion. That's he's taken college classes will indicate to the schools that he's ready for a more challenging academic load. However, I don't know if excellent FA is often given to incoming eleventh graders, and since they know he will definitely need it, it could be a major roadblock. However, Deerfield, Chaote, and Exeter have very large endowments and if they really want your son, they will pay to have him. The only other problem I could think of would be getting interviews done before the deadlines. You would have to be quick.
By the way, I believe Andover is adding Arabic next year, and their deadline isn't until the end of the month, so it might be easier on your son.
Overall, I would say he would be a contender, but not a super-strong one, because of the many eleventh grade recruiting atheltes. If he wants it, and gives it all he's got, he has a shot. Good luck! :)</p>

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<p>thanks -- if he has a chance, he wants to try.</p>

<p>he has already submitted applications to several programs for study abroad programs for next year (all competitive scholarships) and if he doesn't get in to any program, he will attend the local charter school and take classes full-time at the local university -- so he has excellent fall-backs and a good chance at getting into at least one of the programs he has applied to.</p>

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<p>That's great, hsmomstef. It always makes me nervous when kids are choosing one school and refusing to even consider any other options, even if that school is super-competitive and they aren't guarenteed to get in by any means.
One thing I forgot: You probably already know this, but you should start filling out the FA papers right away. My parents are complaining how hard it is to fill them out, and my dad is an accountant! :eek:</p>

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<p>you should note that the deadline for submitting financial information to apply for financial aid has past (jan. 6), which also require expensive fees.</p>

<p>is he fluent in arabic?
does he play any sports?
what classes has he taken at the college?</p>

<p>also, if you can;t afford 8 plane tickets a year to new england (and all the other fees not covered in financial aid, eg expensive college books, facility use, etc), then this would be very, very hard on your family. i'm not sure how you would drive to new hampshire and back 8 times a year.. which would mean 16 trips for whoever is driving him there! (while still making it back in time for each holiday.. eg, driving to the east to pick him up for xmas, then driving back to make it for the actual holiday and then driving him there to go back to school and then going back home..). in plane tickets, that would cost around 8,000, so i don't know how you would swing that. also, if he has local education opportunities,i'm not sure why he's interested in transfering 11th grade year (huge setback in college application time) to a completely foreign town and situation (does he know anyone who has gone to boarding school? do you have any family in the notheast that could take care of him during an emergency?).. he seems like he has so many opportunities in colorado! also, have you interviewed yet? if not, it may seem like you're choosing boarding school on a last-minute whim and you're not too prepared or informed. alsol, many have interview deadlines. i would say go to the colorado school because you can actually tour and get a feel of the school before you ship him off to a foreign situation.. and you can interview! also- has he written the essays yet? have you filled out any of the applications? (due in 7 days)</p>

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<p>blairt - no need to go back and forth 8 times a year. Often, kids who live a long distance away or overseas can arrange to stay with a host/friend's family for things like Thanksgiving Break, etc. Maybe not ideal but definitely a more affordable approach.</p>

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<p>blairt -- it really is kind of a whim. his younger brother is looking at boarding schools and they look really good to him.</p>

<p>He does have a lot of opportunities here -- but he has just about maxed out most of them. he has applied to numerous study abroad programs and is really hoping to get into one of them -- but, again, FA and scholarships are very important.</p>

<p>I didn't realize that we had missed the FA application date -- nor did I realize that he would need 8 plane tickets. I was thinking the ticket to get him there and back and one at christmas break. </p>

<p>right now he is homeschooled (local school situation is lacking -- violent, innercity school). The charter school to take college classes is new (starts next year).</p>

<p>although I think he would have a chance at admissions -- it is definitely far from a sure thing. With money an issue, it may be best not to apply. I can say that if he were accepted to several study abroad programs and boarding school, he would choose the study abroad option without question. </p>

<p>I will talk with him -- but it may be best to let it drop. That is really why I posted -- to see what you all thought.</p>

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<p>Don't some of the schools with larger endowments offer to offset some transportation costs?</p>

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<p>I did some more checking -- the schools he is looking at still allow the FA forms to be submitted and they aren't due for a few weeks. The schools he is looking at have good endowments -- which may translate to good FA.</p>

<p>We are going to do some more research tonight on the schools and see what he thinks -- basically, he really doesn't want to be here in Colorado going to school. he wants to go to school with peers (right now, he goes to school with college students -- which is ok, but he has different interests and priorities right now and feels out of place many times. he is often invited to events where he is not old enough to participate).</p>

<p>Arabic is really the stop-dead point, so he is going to call Exeter, Choate and Deerfield to see if Arabic II will be offered next year and if he would be allowed to take it -- that may make the decision right there. </p>

<p>blairt -- I'm sorry, I didn't answer the questions you asked : "is he fluent in arabic? does he play any sports? what classes has he taken at the college?"</p>

<p>he is not fluent in arabic -- has just taken 1.5 years -- but he spent the summer in Cairo and is determined to master Arabic. he is willing to take another language, but really wants to continue in Arabic.</p>

<p>He does not play a sport -- but is very active in hiking and camping</p>

<p>Classes he has taken at college: Intro to Philosophy, World Regional Geography, Physics, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Judaism, Arabic I, US History, Introduction to Literature, Comparative Religions. The classes were taken at the CC, at Colorado College, at the University of Colorado and online at Harvard Extension School.</p>

<p>Basically, he is looking for a peer group and mentorship/guidance. He wants to hang out with motivated kids his age and grade who find academics and life interesting. He also want engaged professors who have a passion for their subject -- while he has met a few of those, most of his teachers are not.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Don't some of the schools with larger endowments offer to offset some transportation costs?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I remember someone on her last year got a all of her tuition covered by SPS and they would pay for all transportation costs.</p>

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<p>Boarding school in the northeast is a very foreign world and many people have no preparation for the life there outside of academics.. it's a tough transition, esp. for an 11th grader.</p>

<p>the schools only do arabic I because there aren't enough qualified instructors.. and those that do, the departments are very young. it's offered as a senior year elective after completing another language and being fluent in the others.. if the local college offers arabic II and he wants to master the language, then by all means, continue to take classes at the local college</p>

<p>.. the schools accept the financial aid forms that have already been submitted to the place in Princeton.. the forms due for the Princeton place were due on the 6th, so if you need financial aid, then you really can't apply anyway.</p>

<p>also, if you need financial aid, then how were you able to afford harvard extensnion school? it costs like, $2,000 a course there.. i thought financial aid was scarce for that program because it was aimed at full-grown professionals..</p>

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<p>he was awarded a full scholarship for Harvard -- and he has been awarded many, many other scholarships to participate in programs (otherwise, he wouldn't be doing any!)</p>

<p>I will take some time to check on specific deadlines for FA and Arabic offerings and see what the possibilities are.</p>

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<p>....where did you apply for a scholarship for the harvard extension school?</p>

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<p>btw, the application for choate is due tomarrow night (w/ teacher recs and everything)</p>

<p>also.. how will you get teacher recs if you homeschool him? relatives aren't permitted to write recs.</p>

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<p>geez blairt be a little positive!
hsmomstef- Your son sounds really great and I think he would really benefit from a boarding school (tons of different opportunities). It sounds like he has taken every chance to excel that he could get which I am sure schools would really like..</p>

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<p>i figured i shouldn't sugar-coat the situation given that the application fees to those schools would be a significant financial hardship to the family. also, the deadline past, so it would be a complete waste of money and time (a whole season of preparation crammed into six days).. oh, also: most school permit 11th graders to submit PSAT scores, but some only permit SSAT/ISEE, which I assume you haven't taken yet (and the next on is in february, which is past the deadline for all schools), and it's also expensive ($93). i just don't think it's beneficial to the family to lie about chances and circumstances given the financial and application situation.</p>

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<p>My first post after many months of lurking! Your Colorado son sounds like a wonderful candidate for prep school. He would meet many interesting and motivated peers and make lifelong connections. Choate definitely accepts applications after the official deadline, and has significant financial aid. My daughter was accepted there last year. Call the admissions office and explain your situation. A quick note: you have to take all of the advice that you receive on internet chat boards with a huge grain of salt. I have been reading these boards for a while, and there is a great deal of misinformation presented here. Often official sounding posters are young teenagers applying to the same schools themselves. Call the actual schools you are interested in tomorrow, and you mat be pleasantly surprised.</p>

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<p>Simons Rock excerpt - seems like a good choice for your son with the courses he has taken already.</p>

<p>Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literature
The ability to understand other cultures is essential to a liberal education. Language, which both conditions and expresses a culture's way of thinking, is a fundamental aspect of such understanding. Indeed, the stated goals of the academic program at Simon's Rock include developing knowledge and appreciation of modes of thought of other cultures and gaining the ability to understand and use a foreign language. The college's language requirement is designed to help students achieve both of these goals. While responding to the need for proficiency and competence in a foreign language, the requirement also reflects the faculty's conviction that there is a particular value in exploring and engaging with a foreign language and culture in an academic setting and in collaboration with other students, ideally in the context of one's course of study at Simon's Rock. In order to be a true engagement not only with a set of skills but with a different mode of thought and expression, the exploration must be a protracted one, usually spanning at least two semesters, beginning at the student's entry-level proficiency. Students who enter at an exceptionally advanced level in a foreign language are able to pursue a more intense cultural engagement immediately, and can therefore fulfill the requirement in one semester.</p>

<p>This requirement can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:</p>

<p>by completing two sequential semesters of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin or Spanish at the 100-206 level (100-101, 101-204, 204-205, 205-206) at Simon's Rock. The 100-101 sequence is offered in all six languages every year (Arabic will not be offered in 2002-2003). For availability of sequences beyond 100-101 in Arabic, Chinese, German and Latin, please consult the faculty in the appropriate language.</p>

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<p>that seems perfect.. does anyone know the app deadline for simons rock?</p>

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<p>The Acceleration to Excellence Program (AEP) - merit scholarship competition - is open to students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade.
Regular Admission is open to students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade, or to students who wish to apply to enter mid-year (January) of their 12th grade year of high school.
To schedule a visit or to request more information, call: 800-235-7186 or 413-528-7312 FAX: 413-528-7334, or e-mail the Office of Admission.</p>

<p>Please download and complete one of the following applications:</p>

<p>Download the AEP Scholarship Application (PDF). The AEP scholarship application deadline is February 1. There is no application fee if applying through the AEP application process.</p>

<p>Download the Regular Application (PDF). The Regular admission application deadline is May 31, with applications accepted after that date on a space-available basis. (Please note that the priority deadline for applicants also wanting need-based financial aid is April 15. There is no application fee for students who apply on or before April 15.)</p>