Safeties?

<p>I'm a little worried about the schools I chose (Hotchkiss, Cate, Loomis, and Deerfield) and I know a lot of people will be too in a little bit (or now) because its application season! So I was wondering what some good safe schools are. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>What are some things you’re looking for in a school?</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t believe in safeties. I do understand the both sides of the strategy. IMHO finding fit instead of reaches or safeties will find you with more choices come March 10, 2015, which by the way, is a long ways off. I would also dare say that the “Tufts Affect”, once reserved for the college cycle, has already become a factor for many boarding schools. Enjoy your summer, READ, and check out the websites of so many fabulous schools out there. </p>

<p>@needtoboard a pretty good music program (im going into my fifth year of the violin, thinking about doing some all state for that and for the oboe soon, so it MUST have this), a dance program (I want to learn), a good English or science department if at all possible (not required though), and a student body of less than 700 (any bigger and I would be really scared)</p>

<p>@towerchute I didn’t either, really, until I found out how many people sent in applications and how many people were offered spots. I went, “hey, these schools seem to be perfect for me, but lets be real here. Am I really going to get into this to notch school?” I though one of these were my future, but now I’m not so sure. I’m looking for schools that I love, too, but are not as competitive as some of the ones i want to apply to. (sorry if this has nothing to do with your comment, I just spent several hours looking through one 63 page long forum)</p>

<p>I have nothing for you because the schools I was going to recommend for music all are larger than 700 students.</p>

<p>For schools with a higher acceptance rate, start researching the 35%+ here:
<a href=“Most Selective Boarding Schools (2023)”>Most Selective Boarding Schools (2023);

<p>Oh, and nobody should read the Ultimate Supply List for Boarding Schools until after they’ve been accepted.</p>

<p>@skieurope haha, I had nothing better to do. I couldn’t find any safe schools by myself (believe me, I tried) so I had to wait for people who have done this before/have been here longer</p>

<p>There’s next to no information at all about you so it’s kind of hard to say…</p>

<p>Given what you are looking for, I think that St. Andrew’s is worth considering. I can’t say enough about what the school has done for my two kids over and above the orchestra, the dance program and the wonderful English and Bio teachers (so far). The acceptance rate is usually 25%, a bit higher than Hotchkiss and Deerfield (don’t recall numbers for Cate and Loomis). Don’t be put off by that number if you have solid credentials; it’s not “safe”, but it is doable. I’d be happy to give more information or to answer questions, but there is also an extensive thread on the school that already says a lot. </p>

<p>Loomis was 27 last check.</p>

<p>Charger, thanks for that. I’ll have to take a look. and im not really sure what you need, mrnephew, im new at this</p>

<p>Dana Hall School.</p>

<p>Umm, I don’t know if you want to divulge all of your information on a site (I did :P) but like grades, ec’s, sports, etc.</p>

<p>OP- Do you need FA or are you FP? </p>

<p>As a follow up to Dana Hall… I was assuming you are female! If not, that is an all-girls school. You will see a higher acceptance rate, but remember: single sex schools draw from an already limited group simply by being single-sex. But, the school is very good academically and has a terrific arts and dance program…</p>

<p>No one can tell you what a safety school for your particular application and school needs will be- for some, one of those schools might just be considered a safety. I recommend taking the SSAT and looking at your grades, plus how good your established extracurriculars really are, and compiling a list of schools using Boarding School Review; pick schools where test scores are lower than yours or where you have a substantial hook. Then, you can research the schools and apply to one or two you like in due time, so your safety is a place you would feel comfortable attending. </p>

<p>Finally, do not forget the other, non-boarding solutions to an academic, athletic, or artistic need. Plenty of people apply to only top-notch boarding schools because they have a local option. Such options can be a public school or a private school you feel you will get into, or even a charter or home option. Athletic needs can be satisfied with club teams and intensive training at home, whereas arts needs can be satisfied the same way. If boarding school is an absolute dream and must for you, then certainly find a boarding safety. But keep in mind that boarding is not the only way to find a quality, challenging education and that safeties can be every kind of school.</p>

<p>Just something to keep in mind: The Top 10 Boarding Schools don’t have a lock on applicants with Top 10 credentials. Many kids with stellar stats apply to all Top 40 schools (including #40 and many all boy- all girl schools, too). These schools ( especially schools in the 20-30 range) are wildly popular and attract exceptional students. </p>

<p>The only time I hear “safety” applied to a school with a 35% acceptance rate is here on CC. I think having a lot of confidence is a wonderful thing but (IMHO) that kind of thinking is flawed. </p>

<p>There are no schools specifically designated as safeties. There is no set in stone answer. It depends on the applicant. For example a safety school would be different for a stellar applicant and a less-advantaged applicant.
Good Luck!</p>

<p>George School, Westtown, Northfield-Mount Hermon, Portsmouth Abbey, Millbrook . . .</p>

<p>There are no safety schools (for anyone) in the Top 40. None. Zip. I don’t care how stellar your stats are. All boarding schools (especially in the NE) are in very high demand right now. </p>

<p>I know some people might find this shocking but kids with Deerfield, SPS or Groton stamped on their forehead apply to schools like Pomfret , Berkshire and Kent- and in many cases these schools are their first choice. It’s not difficult to see why if you know anything about these schools. </p>

<p>If u need significant FA to attend, there are no safeties no matter what the school’s avg acceptance rate.</p>