Hello! Does anyone have a list or some knowledge of all the boarding schools that have the mail-in application inquiry packets?
EG: the packets BS’s/ send into your mailbox* that has information about their school.
I got huge packets from Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Concord, Brooks, Blair, Choate, Loomis Chaffee, Brewster, Middlesex, and Bard College at Simon’s Rock. I can’t talk for the others.
All schools that my kids have applied to have sent information materials in the mail. You just need to register on their website.
@GoatMama I agree. I’m from NY and have gotten one from every single school I have ever applied to. Times and sizes vary from my experience.
But, I’m not sure if the OP’s unique location would change that at all. I know my international friend who applied to a school got a packet emailed too him, and not in the mail.
Don’t worry if you don’t get a big packet or application swag bag. A couple fo the schools had very creative information packets and neat swag just for inquiring! Really great marketing materials. One school sent chocolates, another a pencil case. One school went “green” and decided to give students materials on repurposed/recycled paper and bags after the tour on campus. They did not send us anything, but we asked for one on the tour. We were concerned when we didn’t get an information packet in the mail, but this was a nice attempt to “Go Green”…the acceptance package was worth the wait and it was “Green”!
@CavsFan2003 Andover and Exeter just sent me catalogs, was it the same for you?
@Golfgr8 very cool! If you don’t mind my asking, which schools were these?
@homeschooltoprep I got my Exeter and Andover catalogues in August, I think
@CavsFan2003 right, but after that did they send more in the mail or was it just the catalogues?
@homeschooltoprep I just got the one packet
@homeschooltoprep - Disclaimer: This information I am sharing is for fun and just my observations…of course, someone on CC will probably state that choosing to apply to a school is much more important than the information packet or the swag. Yes, we know that… But, my golf hat is tipping in gratitude and homage to the brilliant marketing and admissions people who make this process more fun for students. I think I may start an annual award category thread for BS marketing materials.
Best candy & personaized swag goes to Emma…the chocolate candy bar (arrived after application was submitted) was from Emma - followed by notes written by girls and alums, and a home-made art object (bracelet) by alum. Each girl receives a unique home-made gift down the road from an alum (think after acceptance).
Porters had the best information packages by far - a large key pendent that unlocked the future - placed inside a box full of information material. We know a girl who made the key pendent into a necklace. Porters girl sent pencil case at the start of school with a beautiful note, holiday card, Valentines and then more great stuff upon acceptance. Believe Porters was the winner in creativity department, impact, message to prospective students, and the amount of $$ spent on materials.
I think SGS had really great packages and gear. BTW - the SGS bookstore-gift shop is beyond great! Hotchkiss had large and well done information package - very nice pens given to us, also good blue & white M&Ms in the office- best and fastest response from their coaches to the online inquiry - like immediate contact! Best communications winner was Hotchkiss our year. Best contact of any school. The Taft information package - nice materials in their package - pretty and reflected school very positively - very user-friendly sign up for their online system. Then they lost our information down the process so lower ranking in our book. Lost track of our visit (more on that later). The “go green” , environmentally friendly, materials were from Deerfield - not sure if they are still doing this. Loved the logo treat on the tour & reception (sometimes a cookie another time it was chocolate). We were not sent materials in the mail, but got a “green bag” at our campus visit a couple of years ago. Good stuff later upon acceptance.
A friend says that Putney had creative materials and unique welcome-acceptance gifts a few years ago. Really nice materials from SPS, pencils, pens - playing cards given to us during the tour. I did not mention those schools who were not the best - but one school I expected more creativity and professionalism given their reputation - they are blue and they had nothing at the tour - then weak materials later - could be that they were running out, revamping or changing their information materials before the new school year. It would be interesting to know how much $$$ some of these schools spend on the marketing and admissions materials :-B
@Golfgr8 thank you for the wonderful reply! It was really interesting to read about the admissions materials of various schools, I found Miss Porter’s particularly interesting. I think it would be really neat if you did start an awards thread of sorts in regard to this matter, application season can be very stressful and something as simple as an information packet composed with thought and care can bring about a real boost in spirit.
@CavsFan2003 here’s to hoping for another big red and/or blue packet in the mail come March ?
@homeschooltoprep And to you 
@Golfgr8 I have to confess that I sent in an inquiry to Porter’s because of how amazing you had said their information package was. Well, today, nearly two months after having done so, it came in the mail and boy do I have to agree with you, it is really great! I know it sounds kinda silly to be so taken by recruitment materials but what they’re doing is working cause count me charmed. ? Anyway, I thought I’d just thank you for the very helpful post you wrote out in this thread, before I wasn’t even open to the idea of an all-girls school.
Thanks for sharing @homeschooltoprep! Porters is an amazing place and I do hope you will have the chance to visit the campus. Please let us know about the other information packets you receive this year. Best wishes to your student in this application process! :">
St. Paul’s packet is quite nice! It came in a little plaid like… cover thing, if that makes sense? Lots of good info, too.
Thank you for your prompt reply @Golfgr8 and I apologize for the delay in mine; I have to admit since I won’t be applying this admissions cycle I’ve been very lazy about filling out inquiry forms but I absolutely will report back on any and all information packets of note.
@homeschooltoprep Our family has requested info packets (about one a week) from a large handful of schools we’re interested in. They all go in a large basket in the dining room, and we pick them up from time to time to discuss observations, themes and the “vibe” that we each pick up from what the packet chooses to highlight or the language they use. In an age of digital, we were surprised at the value of having printed materials to browse through. Good luck!
@homeschooltoprep - In our house, they started on the coffee table and then moved to the bathroom as it came time for DS to look at them on his own?