britishkidd

Hi, hopefully somone can help!? I live In the UK and i am thinking of applying to a boarding school.
Is there any limit to how many you can apply to ? (within reason)
and do you have to take the SSAT before you start applications? or can you apply and then take the SSAT?
Thanks

NomenclatureH

There is no limit to how many schools you can apply to, but take caution to make sure you can put your full devotion to each application. I am going through the process currently and am applying to 4-5 schools, maybe less, to make sure I can put more time into each application and improve my chances. You can apply to schools and write when you intent to take the SSAT, but you should take the test and submit your scores before the deadline.

Classof2017hope

I'm kind of new to the whole boarding school process too but here's what im currently doing.
I've taken the SSAT already but that was just to test my score range to get an idea of which schools to apply to. I still have to take the SSATs in December to get my final score. I've schduled interviews and tours with the schools I am considering and they are in a few weeks. There's no limit on the schools you can apply to but i agree with the above post; If you can apply to a lot and maintain the quality of your application then go ahead and apply to a lot but if you can't, i suggest around 5-7. I'm touring 10schools but then picking 7 schools out of my favorites so you might want to have a tour or interview with the schools first and then end up deciding. Hope this helps!!

jjs123

Classof2017hope -
With your touring 10 approach, are you just doing the guided tours without the interview then returning to the 5-7 for interviews? Or are you knocking out the interviews at all 10?

alooknac

My suggestion, if it is possible for you, is to visit first and then do interviews with your chosen schools at a later date. You will learn a lot visiting the campus and it's hard to be prepared and enthusiastic for each school prior to that. Even just visiting a few schools without interviewing will help you with the process, noticing things you hadn't thought of before that you want to ask about or emphasize during the interview.

We made a preliminary visit to four schools in the spring of 7th grade without interviewing, then made another trip in the fall again to four schools, two were repeats, and two were new schools we had decided on. We have family not too far from the schools so we were able to combine family visits and school visits. I know this is not possible for everyone, and it may be too late for students to do this this application season, but want to plant a seed for those looking ahead to next year.

britishkidd

thanks for the replies!

I cant really get over to do campus tours, and if i did, it would only be one.. i know they help to give a feel for the schools but is it still ok if you dont visit?

@classof2017hope, what schools are you looking at?

Classof2017hope

Well i can't really put a lot of personal information on the internet and i can't post details on my choices but i'll tell you some of the schools. I'm looking at one school in the HADES schools; two schools in the GLADCHEMMS schools and a few others in the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey since thats near where i live. If you dont know the those acrynoms, do a search on college confidential. I've categorized my schools into a few columns. The "hopeful schools" which are schools in the HADES or GLADCHEMMS which are very hard to get in, the "regular schools" which are schools i am partially confident of getting in and "really confident" schools that i am pretty confident i'll get in and isn't as competetive. I have to narrow those schools down to 7... soo it will be hard! Let's keep in touch so we can share expriences and stuff! who knows, maybe we'll even get into the same school!

Classof2017hope

I just got back from my interviews and tours! If you have any questions, i would be happy to answer them.

beprepared

What schools did you visit? What are your impressions of each school's personality?

britishkidd

@Classof2017hope what schools did you see? and what schools did you like?