Prep School is US, or school in my country?

go4cornell · 11-14-2010, 11:50 AM

Hi, so I am a Jamaican, and I currently attend the top school in my country, some say it's the best in the Caribbean Region (this is coming from people in other countries), and I am looking at universities in the U.S.A. My question is this, would going to a top boarding school in America increase my chances of being accepted to a top 20 US university or top LACs, or would it be better to just stay at my current school given its reputation? Thanks in advance.

neatoburrito · 11-14-2010, 03:20 PM

I don't know for sure, but would hazard to guess, that any advantage you would gain from a BS would not be as great of an advantage as being from Jamaica's top school. You will be competing against the kids from Jamaica instead of kids from say, Exeter.

If you were my child and were doing well at the top school in the Caribbean and I felt that you were getting the kind of preparation to make you successful at a top college, I would keep you home. However, if you wanted to go to a US boarding school for reasons other than college placement, I'd let you go. Personally, I don't think college placement alone is ever enough reason to go to a BS. So, if that is your primary concern, stay put.

karl000 · 06-29-2012, 05:14 PM

*bump*

is this true?

btw: I am in Jamaica

HarvardRox1199 · 06-30-2012, 05:49 PM

I would definitely recommend you attend a top BS if you want to attend, say Harvard. Schools such as Andover and Exeter are HUGE feeder schools to the Ivy League colleges. The Ivies look to these schools for students, because they know the students there are the best of the best.

EnemyOfTheSun · 06-30-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Schools such as Andover and Exeter are HUGE feeder schools to the Ivy League colleges.

Nope, not anymore. IVY matriculations at the top schools are dropping each year. And bear in mind that only 27.8% of the seniors at Andover end up at the Ivies. Meaning over 70% matriculate somewhere else.

Boarding School Stats : Matriculation Stats

If you're applying to boarding schools simply because you want to attend Harvard, you might as well be up for a disappointment. Sure, have hopes, but don't let that be the main criteria while applying.

GMTplus7 · 07-01-2012, 02:13 AM

I think attending a good BS in the U.S. will improve your chances of being admitted into a good U.S. college. Notice, I did not say a "top" BS and a "top" college.

If you attend a good U.S. BS and achieve a solid performance, then you will have demonstrated to a U.S. college:

1) your willingness to go to the U.S. to study (colleges care about admissions yield rate)

2) your track record of being able to achieve in a competitive boarding environment.

HarvardRox1199 · 07-01-2012, 01:21 PM

And bear in mind that only 27.8% of the seniors at Andover end up at the Ivie
ONLY 27.8%? I find it funny that you put an ONLY there.

EnemyOfTheSun · 07-01-2012, 06:53 PM

Heh, because in your posts, do sound as if attending Exover would ensure you an admission to Harvard. Just wanted to point out that is not the case.

HarvardRox1199 · 07-02-2012, 08:33 AM

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

ACilantrophy · 07-18-2012, 01:40 PM

Well, it's up to you first of all. I feel that if you just want to study in the US for college, then it's not worth it. However, I feel like colleges like diversity so coming from a place like Jamaica might increase your chances if you have the same stats as an East coast kid living in the US. I mean, that's my opinion. But if you feel like you're not getting "enough" from your school and you want to go to a BS in the US for the learning, then by all means, follow your heart