<p>For us, it was just as much all the activities in between the academics. For activities, sure, I mean school supplied (dances, snacking, speakers). But even moreso, I reference the interactions and integrity shared during the other times. The “hey, can I help you carry that to your room?”, and “want to play catch for a few mins?” to “so what do you think Einstein thought…?” </p>
<p>It’s the spontaneous moments in between the structured ones (and as a parent I didn’t mind the structured ones, either)… The compromises and comraderie and community. It’s being in a community where the large to whole portion wants to be a part (and made an effort to do so) as a rule rather than exception. Similarly to be surrounded, humbled and inspired by talented classmates. And we weren’t thinking “oh, different races and countries” as much as “ooh, different backgrounds, skills, influence, points of views, life experiences!” to add to all the above I’ve already mentioned. I sent off my child saying “if something irritates you, but for another person the same thing affects them differently-- perhaps they see a glass more than half full, take a moment to see why/how they come to experience the same thing differently. Let yourself try to pick up skills you lack or points of views you less often see.”</p>
<p>The challenge we saw was the delicacy required in sharing aspirations to be a part of such a group as BS. Wanting to attend can imply that you are also saying where you are (ie who you are friends with, your own parents, teachers, community) isn’t good enough. It easily sounds like by wanting to lift yourself up you’re saying they are “too low”. The BS environment to almost has to be seen as “snobby”… or something negative by those who don’t know about it or don’t want to go. It’s such a delicate fine line I found we walked during our application process. To even humbly ask teachers for recommendations and to in effect communicate "can you recommend me? … Thanks! I need something better than you can give… " ouch!</p>
<p>Taking this another way - would you want to convince everyone this is the best choice. Then they’d become your competition, lol. And maybe, unless you come from a family line of BS attendees, part of the beauty of the BS is that it was “found” “discovered” by those who “need it”, at the right time for them. </p>
<p>You don’t have to justify your reasons to anyone (except maybe the teachers you hit up for recommendations and your parents)… Maybe your friends, who say such things to you are fundamentally different than you in baseline ways of approaching life, maturity, intellectually. They may be part of the reason you feel you’re ready to move on. But you don’t need to justify to them, or feel bad about the next stage that you’re ready for in your life. Remember, even if you don’t attend, you’re still learning about yourself and growing. This search is just as important - to you.</p>
<p>Keep searching and learning, even if quietly. You’ll find the best right path for you. Good luck!</p>