<p>First thread! Woot!</p>
<p>Anyways . . .
I want to know what made you consider going to a boarding school and actually decide to attend one. What were the pros and cons that led to your final decision?</p>
<p>For my daughter it was better teaching, more challenging classes and the chance to be part of a residential community. For me it was that plus having all EC's in one place - less shuttling around. I appreciate how the teachers are committed to the success of the students and are part of the community. Alumni from the school my daughter will attend (St Andrew's, Delaware) say the bonds they formed with teachers, mentors and coaches as well as other students have been life long.</p>
<p>Sadly enough, Exeter's financial aid made me pursue it...
But as I got more and more involved in the research, I realised... Wow. This is perfect.</p>
<p>Dedicated faculty, wonderful facilities, enough money for anything (kind of), like-minded peers... It all fell into place the more and more I looked and read and spoke to people. Every complaint about public school (except the size, but whatever, that's superficial for me) was answered like a prayer with boarding school.</p>
<p>Here's to hoping I get in!!</p>
<p>To me, NMH was the obvious choice. I toured thirteen east coast boarding schools, including AEDCH, and decided to apply to NMH and Putney. The rest were not really my styled. I got into NMH, Putney, Brentwood College (in Canada) Shawnigan Lake (in Canada), and was rejected at Thacher, but I pretty much knew as soon as I got my letters where I wanted to go.</p>
<p>And, Saer. Exeter does have enough money for ANYTHING.</p>
<p>my sister goes... so i guess it was kind of expected</p>
<p>i got the opportunity... so i took it.</p>
<p>For me it was the chance to be in a stimulating enviroment in all spheres of my life as well as to develop character molding experiences and friendships.</p>
<p>Also I could tell that from the admissions office down to every single teacher that they all cared so much about Andover and about every student and about constructing and growing the best possible class year after year.</p>
<p>For me there were many reasons...
Basically it was that I was in a HUGE crappy public high school with no other options in the area. I felt extremely un-challenged (I was doing sudokus in an <em>advanced</em> math class) and I started to get really unmotivated.
Boarding school seemed like a great opportunity- particularly the good teachers, challenging work and harkness/discussion style classes.</p>
<p>My son wanted to attend BS because of the opportunities that he would have. It was never part of our original plan. He wanted a challenging curriculum and strong athletics. He was also looking to simplify his life. He spent a lot of time on the road traveling to sports events. </p>
<p>We also toured around 12 boarding schools in the Northeast. NMH was always at the top of the list. When we visited, we spent about 6 hours on campus.</p>
<p>Boarding schools have a MUCH wider range of classes then my current private school. Also my dad went to boarding school so when I went to his reunion it just kinda "fell into place" and I started looking into schools. Also, I am being bussed around to EC's alot and having them all in one place would be really good for me.</p>
<p>I was looking for more wider choice of classes and EC, now I'm in the school and found it's not what I want.<br>
Classes are challenge but teachers always busy when I have questions.
I play golf but the driving range and golf course are 15 mins away by car. They said there is one driving range on campus but actually it's only one small narrow field between football and baseball (I have to pick up the golf ball by myself!). I miss the days, my parents took me to driving range everyday after school and every weekend, I played with my team or friends at nearby courses.
Some of the school buildings are really out of date. There is no auditorium, one small stage for musical and other performance but not enough for whole school meeting (we use the gym). When parents come to school for any kind of meeting, they use the small church.</p>
<p>I'm thinking about transfer to other BS or even back to my public .......</p>
<p>mehappykid, you should look at hotchkiss. they have an 18-hole course on campus. like it's right next to the classrooms. Not even 5 minutes walk from the dorms.</p>
<p>Too late, maybe. I'm sophomore now, if I want to transfer to other BS, I need to take SSAT almost right now and ask for recommendation from the teachers who only know me for 4 months (from September to end of January). </p>
<p>I wonder if they accept last year's score and papers?</p>
<p>Basically, I'm echoing all that was said here. I started lobbying for it when I was about 11, to escape the public school i was in, but then i was sold by the close community, and the stellar academic record, the teachers that care about their students, family-style dinners(corny, but fun:)), and all the little jokes and traditions you inherit when you become part of the [insert school name here] legacy.</p>
<p>mines was the same as saer's. first i though: "god, how the heck will i ever afford this?" then i found out about Exeter's financial aid stuff, and, you know how it goes.</p>
<p>I know that I wanted better classes, althetics, theatre program...also with some of the BS you just absolutley fall in love with the community, atmosphere, and overall program......</p>
<p>I always needed to challenge myself…and this just seemed like the next step.</p>
<p>wanted to get away…</p>