<p>The gateway apps asks where your parents attended high school- my daughter has a parent (me) a cousin and 2 aunts and one uncle who all went to one of the school’s she is applying to. It is a GREAT school but not her first (or second) choice. </p>
<p>I understand that. Where did your parents attend HS is asked on all BS applications. But some applicants will (unfortunately) disclose all the schools they’re applying to during the interview (and sometimes on an app). Disclosing that info never benefits the applicant. Sure, they’ll see the parent’s boarding school on the app, but they can only guess if the child applied there or not. It’s never a good thing for an applicant to say (confirm) they’re also applying to Mom or Dad’s school. It’s noted and put in the applicant’s file… and the AO conversation (at decision time) can easily turn into: Hey, this kid is probably going to get accepted to Dad’s school. Let’s take this other kid. </p>
<p>What’s that Godfather saying? Never tell anyone outside the family what you’re thinking… </p>
<p>Yes Freshlook is correct. The Gateway App asked for info and we (she) filled it out with the probably 10+ 5g family members (listed in alumni magazine obit) that attended there. My husband and I attended different boarding schools but I don’t even think they were mentioned - can’t remember - she wouldn’t even look at those schools. We’ll see. I just want this wait to be over. I really cannot recall this much anxiety EVER - Christmas, wedding, my own graduations, trips, etc. - except MAYBE for her birth. </p>
<p>On M10 PhotographerMom I am sure that not being more careful with Gateway App will be a Regret. No matter the outcome because it has generated a lot of needless angst. </p>
<p>Boarding schools know where they stand in the pecking order. I don’t think schools at the top of the order would hesitate to take a student with legacy ties to another school. </p>
<p>It is a great advantage (in my opinion) for a parent to list their affiliations with boarding schools. So few people have any ties to these schools. If the parents have experience boarding themselves, the chances they’ll get cold feet at the last minute are much less. </p>
<p>Realistically, the admissions officers could probably list the other schools your child should apply to. They also likely know the “type” of candidate your child represents–athlete, scholar, artist, nice kid, community service type. Even if you don’t list that your child’s applying to Rival School B on the app, I’d assume they’re able to fill in the blanks. </p>
<p>They also apparently can buy data from SSAT on applicant patterns. They can predict pretty well how the candidates (as a whole) will decide. <a href=“http://www.admission.org/how-we-can-help/know-your-market/index.aspx[/url]”>http://www.admission.org/how-we-can-help/know-your-market/index.aspx</a></p>
<p>I do think having parents that attended BS can be a positive. I have experienced first-hand the positives of going - greater value on learning than most of my public middle school friends, more worldly, it was “cool” to be smart, lifelong friendships, mandatory athletics, away from petty issues with my parents and siblings, etc. etc. And I want all the things on that list (that are applicable) for my kid as well. </p>
<p>I was also very candid to the AOs about the fears the prospect engendered. I went to bs when many of the kids were indeed sent away and many walked around in a drug and alcohol induced haze that fueled a lot of random, inappropriate, hookups (defined as sex to me). My MIL told me many times about my H crying when she left him at BS, but he has no recollection of this and I know he recovered quickly if this actually occurred - it could have been her crying or wishful thinking on MIL’s part. I believe the AOs when they told me it was different now and the children of friends and relatives who have attended bs affirm this notion. Plus, if I do say so myself, I turned out okay anyway. </p>
<p>Now, I have become adept at defending the “new” bs experience while attempting to listen to aghast and ill-informed reactions to the possibility of D attending bs in 9th grade. If someone gave me new/current information that was based on something more than hearsay or some nebulous prophecy accompanied with a downcast look and a shaking head that “it will ruin her,” I would consider it with an open mind. At this stage, however, that information has not been presented to me. Keeping her at home when she wants to go “because I only have her for a few more years” seems selfish and actually not in the best interest of either of us. </p>
<p>@Periwinkle:
That SSAT link makes me think that the 3 schools D applied to where her SSAT scores were considerably above the “median” will WL her based merely on a by-the-numbers assessment of her application. </p>
<p>This loopiness is why M10 cannot arrive soon enough! </p>
<p>@Smushysmon- I can see how my zeal to correct something caused you more angst. That was not my intention and I sincerely apologize. @Periwinkle brought up a really great point. AO’s do look favorably at families with BS experience. Your family knows the drill and that’s a definite plus for your daughter. All the best and I’ll have my fingers crossed for you M10. </p>