I know the HS experience means a lot. It will be ideal if I can balance academic, EC, and social life.
Can we rank or group BSs by workload. I know there are always some outliers. But I'd like to get some ideas of how many hours an average student in a certain BS spends on homework, optional/elective academic work (math team, science olympiad, etc), ECs (sports, clubs, etc), and social (including FB).
Yes, for example: Student A is in all honors and two AP classes. Student B is still a great student but has decided to take all regular classes and one art class. Both go to the same school. Obviously, the honors/AP student is going to have way more work and the student in regular classes will have more free time. Again depends on the students and their work ethic but generally taking AP French will be harder than taking an art class.
I don't think that it is necessary to generalize schools by workload because it totally depends on the courses people take.
This is so true. I was placed into four honors classes and one religion, and I have so much more work than any of my friends. The first week I was in shock. I couldn't get it all done in time without getting up early or working past lights out.
Boarding schools take the same position as you'l encounter at most colleges; while there are mimimm distribution requirements, it's up to the individual student to figure out how hard they can push themselves and succeed. it's all about learning time management and prioritization. if you're ready for it at 14 it'll change your life, but if not, nbd, don't go. Most kids aren't ready for that. But the idea that the workload at any of these top 30-50 schools is substantively different is way off base. The student--his or her drive, passion, abilities--sets the agenda far mor ethan the school.
