Boarding School 2022 Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any interesting tidbits or fun anecdotes on the interview trail?

We are just getting started - had an in-person interview following a tour at Governor's Academy in MA. Lovely experience on a crisp fall day. Favorite part was being able to chat with parent volunteers of current students while DC was being interviewed.

Many of our interviews will be on Zoom. I have a feeling that may feel more awkward...Sort of dreading it.

Surprisingly, I just learned from their website that Concord Academy is interview optional due to requests exceeding capacity. Curious what that implies about importance/utility of student interviews from the Admissions Office point of view. Perhaps interviews are more of a formality, an opportunity to connect?

I think it means they don't have the capacity to interview everyone this year, so to be fair they're making it optional. Presumably that means it will matter less this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: They only test how well someone tests and I was accepted to Harvard on that basis and really wasn't as smart as my classmates and it was then hard to fit in as a result. It's one of the most ridiculous and laziest parts of admission process.

I doubt you were admitted solely on test scores . . . yeah, it doesn't measure much more than "can you take the test" but for a college that sees applicants from thousands of high schools but is familiar with only a few hundred it at least gives a sense of whether someone with all A's is legit or the school means nothing. A perfect sense? Of course not. But some sense.

Same thing for high schools, especially boarding schools. And for some kids, especially in elementary, they may be pretty smart, which could show on a test, but have lousy grades for a variety of reasons relating to the maturity of a 6th/7th/8th grader.

[Anonymous]

The Fountain Valley School of Colorado is an excellent boarding school. It is rigorous, but supportive. The campus is magnificent and the teachers are excellent. It is easy to get there… much faster than a trip north to CT on 95. It’s a life changing experience to go there. I know because I am a graduate. Don’t overlook it in your search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Westtown, Lawrenceville, St. Andrew's, The Hill, Blair

Not sure why so few apply to Lawrenceville from around here. Great school, and only three hours away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Westtown, Lawrenceville, St. Andrew's, The Hill, Blair

Not sure why so few apply to Lawrenceville from around here. Great school, and only three hours away.

I'm eyeing Lawreceville for my kid. Live that it's next door to the town of Princeton as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Westtown, Lawrenceville, St. Andrew's, The Hill, Blair

Not sure why so few apply to Lawrenceville from around here. Great school, and only three hours away.

I'm eyeing Lawreceville for my kid. Live that it's next door to the town of Princeton as well.

The Hill School looks good too and is just as close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Westtown, Lawrenceville, St. Andrew's, The Hill, Blair

My niece had a fantastic experience at Westtown.

[Anonymous]

My son has LOVED Westtown. He's a completely different kid - went there anxious and shy and has really blossomed in all respects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Westtown, Lawrenceville, St. Andrew's, The Hill, Blair

Not sure why so few apply to Lawrenceville from around here. Great school, and only three hours away.

I'm eyeing Lawreceville for my kid. Live that it's next door to the town of Princeton as well.

The Hill School looks good too and is just as close.

Yep. My list includes the hill school, st. Andrews, and lawrenceville. I've got a few years to go though so just listening in, particularly for any information shared on these particular schools.

[Anonymous]

Good luck to those taking the SSAT in December! Nice to have the option of not submitting.
Some schools accept graded writing sample in lieu of SSAT, which makes me wonder if they actually read/care about the essay portion of the SSAT during normal years.

We are halfway through interviews. DC working on essays. More and more, I'm starting to feel school/teacher recommendation letters and report cards matter the most in the holistic evaluation. At least, I like to think that things are now beyond our control now.

[Anonymous]

ANyone know anything about cranbrook in MIchigan? My niece is applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re applying to Emma Willard, Mercersburg, NMH, Kent, and Loomis Chaffee. I’m glad we had a chance to visit a bunch of schools, that really helps me and my daughter figure out what’s the best school for her. Interviews have been going well (we think) and are almost done.

Mercersburg, LOL why? Seriously why? The kids I know that went there did not end up at college.

Her kid is probably being counseled out of her private

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about Cate near Santa Barbara? Looks beautiful

[Anonymous]

I have two nieces who went to Hill. They both became sexually active pretty quickly. Trump’s kids used to arrive by helicopter. The girls did get a good education, but one of them had too much exposure to drinking and drugs.

[Anonymous]

Cate is a fantastic school. One of my kids did not get in, and the others ended up not applying, tho it was often my first choice. St Andrew's (DE) has been a terrific home for my son (now a junior there) AMA