Schools to Look into?

<p>This is my first time posting on CC, but I have browsed through the different topics people have posted to answer most of my questions.
I'm planning on applying for boarding school for the 2009-2010 school year for 10th grade, and I've looked into some schools. I've looked through all of the 10 TSAO schools and a few others, and so far I'm most interested in Andover, Exeter, and NMH right now...I was just wondering, are there any schools I've overlooked?</p>

<p>Did you try Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools ?</p>

<p>That seems like a quick way to narrow down the field of schools by location or specialty. Since info there is a bit out of date, use it first and then check with schools to confirm.</p>

<p>Until people know what your criteria are, no on is going to be able to help much.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I can guarantee that there are schools you have overlooked. It might help if you give us some info -- you will find that the people posting here have tons of info to share!</p>

<p>A few questions:</p>

<p>Will you need financial aid? Will you need be significant? (most boarding schools cost in the neighborhood of $40,000/year -- so you need to discuss this with your parents). To get an idea of how much your parents will be expected to pay, go to this link and use institutional methodology. For the number in college, include any kids in private school paying tuition. FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid </p>

<p>Are you an international student? If so, from what country or region? If you are from the US, what state or region do you live in?</p>

<p>What are your interests and passions? Art, Drama, Dance, Music, Sports, Languages, Amnesty International, Sustainability, the environment, etc. </p>

<p>What are you looking for in a boarding school? Why do you want to go? What does your current school lack?</p>

<p>What are your stats? current GPA, any test scores, awards or recognition, anything that sets you apart from other students?</p>

<p>are you male or female?</p>

<p>If you have done any reading on this forum, you will see that we advise you to stay openminded about schools when you start looking -- don't focus on well-known, name-brand schools. the idea is to apply to schools where you are a good fit, where you can thrive. It may very well be a top school -- but don't limit yourself at the beginning. Consider schools outside of your geographic area, single-sex schools, smaller schools, etc. the idea is to get a list of about 20 schools that seem like a good fit (at least from what you can tell on the website and view books). </p>

<p>Once you have a list of about 20 schools, you will want to narrow that list down to about 3 reaches, 2-3 matches and at least one safety. (that is if you are really sure you want to go to boarding school). Detailed comparisons, visits to the schools, talking with current students and parents will all help you narrow that list.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

<p>I agree. Use boardingschoolreview.com to narrow your field based on criteria you select. Then search this site and elsewhere from commentary and opinions on those schools. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel, the wealth of info posted on this site over the past few years is staggering.</p>

<p>If you live near any boarding schools, some schools will allow you to vist without having an interview, generally mid-April to early May. My suggestion is to visit any that you can, even if you think you might not apply to that school. This will help you understand what some of the options are, and might help you narrow your search criteria -- Large, medium, small, rural - suburban, dress code, religious affiliation, etc.</p>

<p>hey intrigue, I'm glad at least there's one more person applying next year for 10th grade (:</p>

<p>like above mentioned, use boardingschoolreview.com
but don't entirely trust the data, just get a sense of what they're saying. it's a little off because not only is some of their data older than others, this "year" has passed in boarding school app terms so the data might not have updated as well.</p>

<p>good luck in finding schools (: I suggest looking beyond TSAO though, though they're great schools</p>

<p>Do I know you intrigue? Your username seems familiar... from other places. Anyways, it all depends on what school you are looking for. For example, if you like humanities St. Paul might be good because it has a strong humanities course. </p>

<p>@kickme_cuzimcool, I'm also going to apply next year for 10th grade. Waitlisted at Andover and Exeter this year, rejected everywhere else so I don't really have a chance :X</p>

<p>Try Petersons:
<a href="http://www.petersons.com/pschools/code/StateCtryResult.asp?sponsor=1&from=psector%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.petersons.com/pschools/code/StateCtryResult.asp?sponsor=1&from=psector&lt;/a>
:] It's a bit more up-to-date.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help so far.
For my criteria, I'm female and I don't need financial aid, though I might in later years when my dad's company stops paying for my education (most likely 12th grade). I'm an American citizen from birth but for the past 3 years I've been living in Beijing, China. I'm extremely interested and passionate about writing, music (I've been playing the piano and violin for several years, I'm in my school's orchestra), volleyball, and for ninth grade I'm planning on joining MUN again as well as being a part of the school newspaper and an environmental group.
For boarding school I'm looking for a challenge from the curriculum and environment. I just feel the school I'm going to now is just sheltering me and I just feel too comfortable. Is that a good thing? I like change, haha. It just seems like an experience I shouldn't miss out on.
I will be taking the SSAT this October, but my reports from this year on a 1-5 scale was all 4/5. The IOWA tests that I have taken since elementary school have always been in the 99th percentile. I was interviewed for one of the top 10 spots for YLI (an international youth leadership group), but was unfortunately rejected due to the organizations budget funding this year.</p>

<p>Hellooo seikuu :)</p>

<p>kickme_cuzimcool, yea I was worried about applying for 10th grade as well...I know everyone says it's not harder to get in the later you apply, but it still worries me xD</p>

<p>Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get in. I mean, you got all 5s on the last creative writing.....</p>

<p>Ahem. Anyways, I can see that you are committed to many things and you have a lot of great ECs. Just remember that these schools care more about quality than quantity. Starting a bunch of new things just so you'll appear special will not help you. Stay focused on a few ECs, work hard and you'll definitely get in!</p>

<p>...</p>

<p>I wish I could say the same for me :(</p>

<p><em>feels unspecial</em></p>

<p>seikuu who's intrigue? pm me. i have a feeling i know him/her</p>

<p>-_- if you had actually been reading you would know that she is a girl lol.</p>