<p>I know visiting boarding schools is important, but I have some issues. For my family, it's unrealistic to visit every single boarding school I'm considering, around fifteen. I'll be lucky if I even get to go to one, and if I do, it'll be because we're already in the area. Also, my parents, while supportive of me applying, aren't involved at all. I choose the schools, I write the application, I hand them the forms and tell them to sign. They read over everything, but for the most part, I'm doing everything. They are not going to want to visit.
I'm a very adjustable person- I feel like I could honestly do well at most schools. Big ones, small ones, rural, urban- I could love it. I know it will help me decide, but is it totally necessary for me?
Do interviews have to be in person? Can they be over FaceTime or Skype? That seems like the most realistic option for me.
Any insight would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>Some schools offer Skype or alum interview for those who are physically too far to come. If you are in such a situation, discuss with the admissions office and tell them the whole story. </p>
<p>If you could still manage a couple of personal visit for an interview all by yourself, it could also be a strong selling point for you, showing them your independence and maturity as well as your passion for the boarding school education in general and the visiting schools in particular.</p>
<p>The very selective BS generally require a visit if u live w/in a certain number of hours driving radius. Check w each school individually to confirm whether visiting is mandatory. Don’t assume schools have the same policies.</p>
<p>That addresses whether u HAVE TO visit the schools. Another issue is SHOULD U visit the schools? If u live w/in a reasonable driving distance, u will not make a favorable impression about your level of interest in the school-- schools care about yield (i.e. will u actually enroll if they admit u?).</p>
<p>Many schools will do an alumni or Skype interview if you live a distance from the school. Visiting the schools will give you additional information about the schools to decide which might be best for you. We ruled out some schools after visiting. </p>
<p>If you are in the area it would be good to visit.</p>
<p>Think about applying to 15 schools and what that means for you and your parents. Each school S applied to had a parent statment - some were optional, some were one paragraph and some were multiple questions, but it was a fair amount of work for us. Maybe 15 is what you are considering and will take some off your list. </p>
<p>Good luck with the process.</p>
<p>By 15, I don’t mean I’ll necessarily be applying to all of them, just considering applying. And none are in my area. I live in central Illinois, and they’re pretty fairly spread out, none at all in my state or even nearby ones.</p>
<p>Visits are certainly not required - the schools know that many kids can’t visit, so I wouldn’t stress over that aspect too much.<br>
In my mind, the bigger issues with your question are: It’s Dec. 14. Have you asked your teachers for recommendations? Have you read the applications? The essays take a LOT of time. Multiple essays for each application. Pick 8 or less. Get started. :)</p>
<p>Don’t worry- I’m only in seventh grade right now. This is all for next year. I would not be applying to so many schools if it was eighth grade.
Thanks for the information, everyone! I was really worried about this, considering the nearest campus is around 800 miles from my house.</p>