<p>How many schools should I request information from? Right now, I have a list of 21 schools that I would like view books from. Many of these are schools that I am interested in, but don't know much about. I want to be able to show my parents the wide variety of boarding schools. I hate wasting all that paper, especially since I will probably be getting a view book from a few of those same schools next year (since the first step of applying is requesting information).
I would also like to know if the boarding schools save all of the information they get from requesting information forms. Obviously they have to mail me the inforomation, but I have noticed that some of the forms ask you to describe yourself or something like that.
BTW, will they even send me information even if I am not applying this year? Does anyone think I should wait until next year to request information?</p>
<p>I requested like… 20+ viewbooks this year. I’m very indecisive so I keep on changing my lists of schools to apply, so I got the viewbooks to see it they changed my mind and to narrow down my list.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. I keep feeling like I’m not widening my list of schools enough. “What if” that one school is the right fit and I didn’t take the time to look at it. Ialso love looking at the pictures 
Ok, so I’m not worried about the number, but what about them storing information? Should I even care about that?</p>
<p>I had a whole long thing written and CC lost it in the ether…</p>
<p>@overandover98: I would wait until next year to request the info kits/viewbooks. Start with the websites and try to work your way down…NOT up. Most of the information in the viewbooks is replicated on the websites…you and your parents can check them out and have a discussion about what it is you are looking to find/get out of going to a BS.</p>
<p>I realize I may be raining on your parade a bit, but in addition to the paper, you should consider the cost…I would guess that some schools spend upwards of $20 per mailing with the more elaborate viewbook mailings.</p>
<p>That said, many schools have multiple brochures (Andover & Groton definitely have at least 2), so perhaps they can send you one of the smaller ones at this stage of your search process.</p>
<p>Wow I didn’t even think about that, thank you SevenDad! I am a little disappointed, but there are other people who are actually applying this year (especially 21 view book/kits)</p>
<p>Here’s a suggestion: Go to the sites and pick 5 schools from which you will request info this year. Just to get a taste of how they market themselves…</p>
<p>Here are some schools that I though had nice viewbooks last app cycle, ones that really stood out for one reason or another: Hotchkiss, Choate, and Thacher (hands down the best, IMO). There’s a thread somewhere about this…</p>
<p>Thank you 
I read your thread on your daughters application process, so I’ll choose which schools to request info from the same way your family choose which schools to apply to (Andover OR Exeter, because they are from the same “category”)</p>
<p>@overandover98: Just because we chose to visit PEA and not PA, don’t let that stop you from more fully exploring both…I think PA/PEA is one of the most common “cross application” situations (kids applying to both schools).</p>
<p>Sorry, just an example. Like, I’ll only request info from one girls school (for now, just so I get an idea of the program) or only one school on the west coast (probably Thacher or Cate). I really want to apply to PA and PEA, but your system may help me next year when I narrow down all 21 schools down to 8.</p>