shumpleen

I have similar views and experience regarding boarding schools with the original poster and Ajadedidealist.
I'm a four year senior at a prestigious boarding school and I don't think I would have experienced such an arduous yet precious time if I were in a public high school. Boarding school is not for everyone and I can say, coming from a not very affluent family and joining a VERY wealthy student body that is so typical of boarding schools, that if you are wealthy, preppy, athletic, or ridiculously good looking, then you are more likely to enjoy your experience more, at least in the social life. I find that many kids who would be considered "normal" in public high schools---kids who wear all black or chain mails or dyed their hair random colors or even wear ripped jeans and messy clothes---may be considered very different from the norm at boarding schools. They WILL stand out among a group of neatly trimmed and preppy students who have a proclivity toward hanging out with people who dress the same or come from the same CT or NY homes. This is by far one of the biggest problem I have with boarding schools and it's the truth for most and probably all of them. Yet, I'm glad to have gone to a boarding school. I have learned that now I want to live in a very diverse place in the future where people befriend all types of people, despite their differences. Although my experience with the students are not entirely wonderful, sometimes even infuriating, I learn to shed my naiveness on certain dreams and ideals and see the world more realistically. Here's a general advice to prospective students: for those who care about diversity, a public high school would be a better choice.
Academic wise, boarding schools are very strong and competitive. You will meet so many students who are very smart and ambitious and probably very arrogant. But one of my best experiences here is with the teachers, less so with the students. The teachers always welcome me to their homes for extra help on homework and tests. I go to their dorms to talk to them about my problems or to celebrate together my achievements. We become friends and there is not a moment when I wouldn't come across them and strike a long conversation. Being close to teachers like friends is a an invaluable experience for me. But of course, not all teachers are nice and caring. I had a hall resident, a teacher herself, two years ago who simply favored blond girls and hated certain students. (She gave me such a hard time in sports) It was unfortunate that I met such a person, whom I had barely any respect for because I disliked how she behaved toward her students. However, my main point is that teachers at boarding schools are GENERALLY very intelligent and they care about you.
At boarding schools, you will also have a lot of opportunities to try out new things. Schools often offer trips to foreign countries and travel to other parts of the US or exchanges with other schools that public schools don't offer. You can also find so much things to do and to choose from, such as clubs and sports. However, most of the students tend to be either very smart and goal driven, very athletic, or have a special talent. The atmosphere is thus generally very cutthroat. At boarding school for now four years, I have learned to sharpen my determination, my endurance despite occasional depressions with classes and other issues. I came from a middle school where I was the top student and literally got what I hoped and tried for. At boarding schools, you will probably realize your strengths and weaknesses (mostly) and dislike what you find. But these realizations, if you accept them, will carry you very far into college and life beyond.

I have experienced a lot of difficulties in the boarding school. But even with the difficulties I had, I have at least managed to learn something important about either myself or about the world or about other people from them. Boarding school is simply a very different experience. You cannot imagine and dream about it and expect it will happen just as you predict. You cannot know it until you come and create the experience unique of your own.