Trying Again @ Boarding Schools

Prep School Admissions
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<p>Hi everybody, it's my first post here. I applied last year for 9th grade at seven different boarding schools: Exeter, Andover, SPS, Deerfield, Groton, Middlesex, and Lawrenceville. I was waitlisted and rejected by the seven----no acceptances. </p>

<p>See, many people told me I had a really great chance, from teachers to alumni, with my 99% SSAT scores, extracurriculars, my passion for writing, and a determination to overcome obstacles. But then again, I needed a lot of FA, and maybe I came across as the type of student who "padded" his/her application. Anyways,I think I was little too "fluffed up" and too confident by the time M10th came. </p>

<p>For a while, after the emails and letters flooded in, I was really angry at myself and at the world, really. I kept asking "Why?". After five months, I'm actually really glad I wasn't accepted because I realized my mind and heart had been in the wrong place during my application process. </p>

<p>So I'm applying again, only to two schools this time, because I don't think i'll be quite as able to bring everything i have to the application process if I have to apply again to seven schools. And, I'm going to be a freshman-ugh- so even less time than last year!</p>

<p>So i'm writing this thread to reach out to the people who didn't receive great results on March 10th, 2012. If you really feel like you belong in your dream boarding school, by all means, try again! And to those who were accepted to where they wanted to go (I know four of these people personally, which is why I think i was so miserable because they were so happy) best of luck and congratulations!</p>

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<p>Not that you are asking to be used as a cautionary tale for new-to-the-process applicants/families…but I think your case underscores the possible consequences of an “only apply to 7 of the most selective schools” approach.</p>

<p>Curious which schools you are shooting for this year…are they both from the original seven or are you looking at schools where your chances of admission may be greater? Regardless, best of luck and know that second time applicants HAVE gained admission — in some cases to one of their original target schools.</p>

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<p>Yes, it’s true, I did apply to VERY selective schools, but I think I chose those seven because I loved different things about each one, and in the end, I only applied to the schools I really wanted to go to. Now, I really regret the decision. I think I could have received some happy results on M10 if i had broadened a little more </p>

<p>Actually, the two schools i am applying to this year are from the original seven, mainly because these two were my absolute favorites, and I would really like a chance to show them how I’ve grown. For various personal reasons, I can’t apply to too many this year, unfortunately. On a happy note, I think if faced with rejection once again next year (I hope not!), I will be able to be challenged sufficiently, perhaps not as much as I would be in a boarding school, but enough, at my new high school.</p>

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<p>@HeartYew8613: I applaud your honesty, humility, and stick-to-itiveness. Again, best of luck.</p>

<p>Since diving into this whole BS thing with our older daughter back in 2010 (the spring of her 7th grade year), I’ve tried to keep making the point to prospects that sticking exclusively to the most famous/most selective schools may not be in your best interests if you are set on going to boarding school. I’m sure some may be sick of me hammering this point home…but I’m trying to help people avoid disappointment.</p>

<p>Your sentiment of “only applying to the schools to which you really wanted to go” is a common one, but I challenge people to really examine why it is that they focus in on certain schools. Is SCHOOL X truly the only one that ticks off certain boxes for you? </p>

<p>The wider prospects search initially and the deeper they dig into some of the schools NOT in the list of “usual suspects”, the more I think most people would realize that “Hey, that school nobody asks to be ‘chanced’ for on CC is actually pretty cool and I think I could do the things I want to do there.” And they probably be pumped to have you there, too.</p>

<p>There are many schools out there that don’t get the press or word count on CC that would probably be great, life-changing experiences for prospective students if only they could open their minds to them. I will never waver from this belief.</p>

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<p>You said you were waitlisted by some schools and rejected by others the first time around. I really hope that the two you’ve selected for this year are at least among the schools that waitlisted you. I think you’ll stand a better chance than if you reapply only to schools that outright denied you this past year.</p>

<p>However, your results the first time around show how difficult the admissions process is when you need significant financial aid . . . and now matter how much you might have grown since you filed your original applications, if your financial need hasn’t changed, you’re still facing an uphill battle.</p>

<p>If you really want to attend boarding school, I would STRONGLY recommend that you broaden your search. With your strong test scores, you might be an excellent candidate for one of the smaller, lesser known schools. And, yes, it’s true that these schools don’t have the financial resources of the well known schools . . . but if they really want you as a student, they’ll find a way to make it happen.</p>

<p>Also, although I understand that you’re intimidated by the prospect of doing multiple applications while keeping up with school . . . it can be done if you (1) apply to schools that accept a common application (such as the SSAT or TABS application) and (2) find ways to “re-purpose” your strongest essays to fit several different schools’ essay questions. It takes some thinking, but it can be done.</p>

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<p>@dodgersmom: The thing is, my parents have decided that I can apply to the two schools without financial aid this time, which I’m really grateful about. However, the first school is not need-blind and I will applying as a boarder. The second school is need-blind, but I will be applying as a day student this time (therefore, lower tuition) because I have moved closer towards the school. It’s a little lopsided (I wish the one I’m applying to as a boarding student was need-blind, but oh well). Do you think I should apply for financial aid for the day school option? You know, like a, “might as well since the school’s need-blind”?</p>

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<p>@HeartYew,
I am confused by the inconsistency in your original post where you mention that you needed a lot of FA, but now your parents will let you apply w/o FA this time to one of the schools as a boarder. If your family cannot afford to send you w/o FA as a boarder, then what is the point in applying? Once a school accepts you w/o FA, you cannot go back to them and ask for it, unless your family has experienced some major financial event (e.g., loss of job, divorce, etc.).</p>

<p>Regarding your other option to attend the second school as a day student-- are you sure that is what you really want? Unless there is a high percentage of day students at the school, it can be socially alienating to be a day student where almost all the students board. I recommend you contact the school to arrange to speak with some of the day students, so you can find out what the experience is really like.</p>

<p>If you are intent on a boarding experience, then as many posters have urged, you should look beyond that very elite group of 7 schools. Have you actualy visited any other school besides those 7? Have you actually visited those 7? </p>

<p>Here are some stats on other options. There are schools out there that are also academic stars, but not as “famous”, and they do have sizable endowments that enable them to grant generous FA.</p>

<p>Schools with top-quartile SSAT scores and endowments >$100million:</p>

<p>2011 Acceptance rate% and boarding%
13% 88% Deerfield Academy
14% 74% Andover
16% 100% St. Paul’s School
16% 93% Hotchkiss
17% 90% Thacher
19% 81% Exeter
19% 84% Groton
19% 70% Middlesex
20% 62% Peddie
21% 74% Choate Rosemary Hall
23% 67% Lawrenceville
23% 85% Taft
24% 50% Milton
28% 60% Loomis Chaffee
28% 85% St. George’s School
29% 100% St. Andrew’s School
36% 77% St. Mark’s School
38% 80% Hill School
40% 100% Episcopal High</p>

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<p>@HeartYew8613, It really does take a lot of courage and determination to apply for boarding schools, even more for the most selective, and the most for reapplying after rejections. I admire that, and those two schools you are trying for have to see that in you. I think those seven were somewhat intimidated at the lack of chinks in your armor. Because applying is such an independent process, I would suggest a safety school, not for backup (if you don’t like the school but it has a high admission rate, then it really isn’t a “safety”) rather, out of the numerous schools finding one that has a high admission rate and it is one that you could grow into over the 4 years of being there. A school I applied to didn’t strike me, but after the tour and interview it became a favorite. I wish you the best of luck, just don’t scare them!</p>

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<p>First, in response to what GMTplus7 said . . . I wouldn’t be in the least bit concerned about attending any of these schools as a day student. You will have ample opportunity to become involved in campus life, and you will probably end up spending more time on campus than you spend at home (including occasional nights, I’m sure).</p>

<p>Now, about financial aid . . . either you need it or you don’t. If you need it, then apply for it. Otherwise, do not. Certainly, if you can afford School X as a boarding student, then you can certainly afford School Y as a day student, since that will be significantly less expensive. And, frankly, if you can afford School X, I can’t imagine School Y would offer you any financial aid anyway. This really makes no sense to me. I can understand your parents not wanting to spend so much money . . . but if they have the money, they’ll be expected to use it to pay for your school.</p>

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<p>@dodgersmom and GMTplus7: What I meant was that last year when I first applied to the seven boarding schools I needed a lot of FA. Now, I am re-applying, and my parents think that we’ll be able to manage without having to apply for FA this time around because of various reasons.</p>

<p>I’m saying if I’m applying to a need-blind school and it would be nice to receive some FA, should I just go for it and apply for FA?</p>

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<p>And to LeoBro :), thanks. Words of encouragement are always great to hear.</p>

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<p>Or you could apply to those two schools, and spend a bit more time completing the common apps and send it to 18 other schools. The only problem is the time taken for interviews, of course…</p>

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<p>I would definitely apply for financial aid for the need blind school, they truly are need blind. My mother (a single parent) has had a difficult time getting financial aid from my brother’s and my private middle schools because she is a doctor, but we are by no means swimming in money, but some schools see it that way. I was accepted to Andover with a very generous amount of financial aid despite the fact that it looked as if my family didn’t really need it.</p>

<p>Also, if you don’t mind telling us, what two schools are you applying to?</p>

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<p>That’s great that you got accepted! Still wish I could have been… Well as you may have guessed, the first school I’m applying to is Andover, which is why I was asking about the need-blind thing.
The second one is Exeter. Strange, because last year, I loved Exeter, and desperately wished to attend: probably after hearing my family friend, who just graduated from Exeter, talk about its virtues. However, now that I’ve actually researched for myself, Andover is shooting up in my mind in terms of whether I think I would fit in…</p>

<p>However, as many pointed out, it isn’t impossible to apply to more than two schools even though it’s freshman year and everything, and I’d just like to say that I hear your advice. By no means is two the final number of schools i’ll apply to. You guys have convinced me to consider more! Thank you!</p>

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<p>111</p>

<p>Sent w1 my ADR6330VW using CC</p>

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<p>I attended a boarding school mentioned on here with some frequency, and I was a day student. Depending on your home life, it can either be the best or worst of both worlds. But personally, if I had it to do over, I would do it again. I had a very positive experience as a day student in my school and didn’t feel as though I was viewed as somehow inferior to the boarding students. I say go for it.</p>

<p>I also want to encourage you to read the Hidden Gems thread on this board. There are many schools with really interesting academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. Just because they don’t have a big name behind them doesn’t make them less-than. If a school is a good fit for you and you will love it and thrive there, then it’s a good school.</p>

<p>Also, try looking away from the East Coast. Cate and Thacher (both in California) are great.</p>