Boarding School Crisis

Prep School Admissions
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<p>It has not been a year yet since I arrived in the United States from an Asian country. I am a ninth grader studying in a public high school. Surely, the education I’m currently receiving is more superior than the one I received back in my home country. But I thought to myself, being the ambitious girl that I am, “Why should I limit myself now that I’m already in the United States?” In my school, I feel trapped. I am not challenged at all by the academics or my peers. All my life in school, I’ve always had a set of established competitors in academics. This competition among my peers motivated me and made school a lot more interesting. I got to stretch my abilities despite the rusty curriculum of my beloved country. </p>

<p>I figured that studying in the institution I am in now-full of people I cannot relate to (I barely found anyone who I could discuss intellectual topics with)-can never be sufficient. Even considering going to a boarding school never once passed my mind. But now, seeing all the benefits I can get from studying in a boarding school, my opinion has changed. </p>

<p>I plan on taking the SSAT on January 15 but the only problem is the money. I had a talk with my mother last night, asking for her permission to let me sign up for financial aid; but she dismissed everything that I said for selfish reasons. She wanted me to stay because I’m only fifteen and she worries for my safety. Who would not worry, anyway? We just got settled in the US and now I am pleading to let me go to boarding school. </p>

<p>I want to go because I don’t want to be constricted. Routine bores me. I want to try new things. I want to be with people who value knowledge (perhaps you may say I am generalizing here). I have some doubts that I would get accepted because back in my home country, I rarely had the opportunity to do things because it was so limited (still is). The grading system is different. There, I’ve been the top student of my grade for two years, but a student there would rarely get an A, unlike here in the US, which is easily achievable. I would have loved to continue playing the piano ever since I started in fourth grade, but due to my financial situation and lack of resources back then, I’ve never continued. Perhaps most of the applicants have a lot of extra curricular activities, unlike myself. </p>

<p>Have you had any experience with boarding schools? Have you any advice or comment regarding my situation? I would be much obliged to hear your responses.</p>

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<p>Helloa. Girl with exactly same experience as you here! (It’s scary, almost… every SINGLE word of that is ME, except for the fact that I’m not a 9th grader.)</p>

<p>Basically, been down the same road as you are now. Can’t say I’ve reached the end of that road- maybe that day will come. I don’t know what Asian country that you’re from, but during my international travels I’ve toured Asia pretty thoroughly (my joke) and been chewed through multiple pub school systems, both U.S. and Asian, and spit back out. As far as financial concerns go, they are pretty much nonexistent because the great majority of these boarding schools (especially the so-called “Little Ivies”, some of which are need-blind) are unbelievably generous in aid. Of course, one has to get in first, but let’s worry about that later. Parents- my mother was very adverse to the idea of boarding, using the idea of selfishness. Truth be told, I had that tag of “selfish” put on me by her other adult acquantainces too. But I suspect your mother did not bring you to the U.S. to have a second-rate education if there is better to be had; therefore, I suggest letting her adjust to the notion of BS first before bringing it up again.</p>

<p>That’s all for now. I must say I am quite intrigued by your post, because our situations parallel in more than a few ways. PM (private message) me if you want; otherwise, welcome to the CC community!</p>

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<p>if you’re unable to pay for the SSATs, contact Andover/Exeter/another school with a huge endowment (that you’re applying for, or else it’d be kind of underhanded…) for an SSAT fee waiver. there’s little to no hassle involved-- if you genuinely need the waiver, by all means go for it!
same thing for application fees. if you email the schools and demonstrate need, they’ll waive the cost for you.</p>

<p>best of luck!</p>

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<p>@DiveAlive:
I could ask my current school for a fee waiver as well, right? Should I just speak to my counselor?</p>

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<p>I’m almost certain that your current high school won’t provide a waiver.</p>

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<p>Have you explored your local day school options? Are there other magnet options within your public school district?</p>