<p>We know colleges and universities constantly strive for "diversity" and a bit of reverse discrimination exists against those non-disadvantaged, non-minorities. Does it actually work against a student who goes to boarding school when applying to colleges?</p>
<p>And, REALLY, would a college admissions committee rather see a top student get really good grades at a top boarding school or would they rather see that same student knock it out of the park at a decent public school? The party line is that they consider the strength of a school and its curriculum when assessing a student but when choosing between two profiles-one super strong gpa from a public school or one pretty good gpa from a highly competitive boarding school, will they really be received equally? DS awaiting boarding school decisions and suddenly we realize we could disadvantage her by putting her among the advantaged. What do you think?</p>
<p>Before choosing boarding school, you must be very clear about why you are considering it. There have been many tales of woe here from those who chose BS for particular college outcomes instead of the stellar high school experiences they provide. No BS will guarantee any particular college outcome, but they will provide your student with stellar academics and preparation to be successful at any college or university she matriculates to–that is the value of BS.</p>
<p>I can’t think of a single academic disadvantage conferred by a good boarding school. Not a single one. Our son is so prepared for the college challenges ahead and so far ahead of his peers at home. The student who will be this year’s val at the high school DS would have attended can barely sustain a conversation with him. Will he be “disadvantaged” if she attends a college that USNWR ranks above his? Hardly.</p>
<p>Colleges certainly DO consider students within the context of their high schools, and they understand the rigors of BS. I wouldn’t lose any sleep about how your daughter will compare against other college applicants four years from now; I’d worry about ensuring that she gets the best high school education she is able to consume–that will be a gift she treasures and benefits from the rest of her life. College will take care of itself.</p>
<p>Thanks, Choatiemom. We know deep down it is right for her and will be a gift to her if it comes to be. I’d really rather someone convince us NOT to send her! She is the type to make the best of the experience and to take advantage of the many opportunities offered. She lives every minute fully. We will really miss her presence at home because of that. Cart before the horse since we don’t know if she will get in anywhere but trying to mentally prepare in case she does.</p>
<p>“No BS will guarantee any particular college outcome.”</p>
<p>On the contrary, if you work hard at a top BS, be assured that you will end up at a good college, as long as you are willing to extend your definition of “good” beyond the Ivy League. You will have many doors open for you, along with the amazing opportunities for growth during your time at BS. </p>
<p>Living away from home, you will be given the chance to understand yourself better and mature. That in itself has been a valuable experience for me.</p>
<p>Precisely. That’s exactly what I said – No BS will guarantee any PARTICULAR college outcome… but will prepare you well for any college you go to. And BS kids go to great schools.</p>
<p>I don’t think it would put anyone at a disadvantage. I guess that one might not be able to stand out as much in a highly competitive school, but that’s beyond the point.</p>
<p>If u have TigerParent ambitions of HYPS, then based on what I have observed in the last 2 college admissions cycles at S1’s BS, I believe that the top prep schools will hurt your kids chances at those handful of schools if he/she is unable to stand out in the class. By “stand out”, I mean URM, celeb parents, development case, top ranking academic/athletic performer. </p>
<p>Kids can only influence the last category. But the problem is that in a class full of so many elite performers, it is very difficult for a kid to do this. And this cream of the performance crop would probably have made it into their college of choice anyway, even without the tony BS pedigree.</p>
<p>That said, if you look beyond HYPS, then yes, the top BSs will indeed help you kid get into a good college and prepare them to hit-the-ground-running once there.</p>
<p>Please consider what environment will be most likely to give your dc an outstanding high school experience. Meet his/her needs NOW and worry about college a little later. High school can be a defining time in life. </p>
<p>Remember that the purpose of independent schools is to prepare students for college when they get there, not necessarily to get them into a specific school or set of schools. </p>
<p>Would not be looking for a golden ticket to a particular college; just don’t want to spend $200k on boarding school only to learn she would have had a better chance of getting in to particular colleges (whichever they may be-not nec HYPS) by being a rock star at a basic public school than by being middle of the pack among a boarding school full of the cream of the crop.</p>
<p>Have you ever attended College Info Weekend at a BS? At Choate (only school I can speak to), there is a panel of college AOs each year, and they are absolutely clear that students are evaluated in the context of their high schools. BS kids are competing against their own classmates, not against students from any other school. So, a student from Choate applying to Michigan is competing against other students from Choate applying to Michigan, but Michigan evaluates the Choate applicants through the rigor-lens of the type of school they attend and understand that GPAs and curriculums are not equivalent across schools.</p>
<p>It’s always best (for admission odds) to be at or near the top of any school you attend, but colleges certainly do understand how to evaluate BS kids. Over the years, I’ve heard several college AOs indicate that BS students are pre-vetted by their boarding schools and bring a lot to the table besides their strong academic records. Beyond stats, the AOs indicate that their schools love our kids because they are well prepared to handle college work and most have lived away from home and have the “roommate/dorm thing” already licked. Because of their overall preparedness, BS kids generally don’t add to a college’s attrition stats, a metric all schools want to keep as close to zero as possible. So, BS kids are attractive to colleges on many fronts and have some advantages over applicants who have not yet lived away from home under significant academic pressure.</p>
<p>I had this conversation with DD today and she was startled to learn she could find herself no longer in the top 10% of her class. I reminded her that the kids at boarding school are all top of their classes so when they all come together, the rubric changes. She did not expect that. I know there is more depth and substance to a top BS educated individual but there is an irony that with a rigorous curriculum among the cream of the crop, one can end up with altered college options.</p>
<p>One step at a time, but thanks for the dialogue. Got back door word today that this is likely a conversation we will have to have more seriously next week.</p>
<p>There are lots and lots of threads on this but, the bottom line is, competition at BS for HYPMS probably makes them tougher to get in, because it’s tougher to be near the top of your BS class, but look at the BS’ matriculation stats–lots of kids get into great colleges , even if your “class rank” isn’t at the top–for the reasons ChoatieMom mentioned. And there ARE lots of great colleges out there.</p>
<p>I don’t think so. For example, around 30% of the kids from Andover go to an Ivy League/MIT/Stanford university. So if you’re in the top 30 percentile, involved in school and activities, then it is hugely advantageous.</p>
<p>There ARE lots of great schools out there but I am trying to understand the value of a BS education if she wont end up farther along than she would be without.</p>
<p>The value is that she will be more prepared for life in general. Is your daughter a fail if she doesn’t get into Harvard? No she isn’t. Going to a BS teaches you so many more things like how to manage time and how to talk to adults. BS kids are generally better prepared for life in general. BS kids usually hit the ground running in college some even find it easier than high school. Also, anyone who is willing to work at BS really can go to any college they want. The main advantage though is that the 1st class education is not the only thing received at BS, many life skill are taught to kids there. </p>
<p>^ seconded and supported. Really, a BS just gives one an opportunity to succeed more so than other places. Not always true, I understand, but that would be the generalization that I would make.</p>
<p>@mrnephew: How many Andover students do you think would NOT be in the top 30% of their best local high school option? Or top 10% for that matter…</p>