Hello! I know I am a bit early, as applications to boarding schools don’t start until later this year, but I do have a few questions, and would really appreciate it if anyone answered.
1.) I know that the applications deadline for these schools is January 15, but when did you guys submit yours? November? December? And does submitting your application closer to the deadline affect you chances of getting in, as the admission team might see you as a procrastinator?
2.) Applying to how many boarding schools is a good number? For instance, is it bad to apply to 5+ boarding schools? Does it affect your chance of getting accepted into one?
3.) What attributes do boarding schools usually look for? I have a friend, a current 9th grader in Loomis, who scored a 97th percentile SSAT who was waitlisted and barely got in. Do schools pay huge attention to extracurriculars like sports and music, hours of community service, etc?
That’s it for now. I would really appreciate it if anyone replied back to this thread. Thank you!
We submitted within 5 days of the deadline. When you submit does not affect your chances of getting in since they are all reviewed after the deadlines by most schools. Committee is very experienced and would not jump to conclusions like that.
Its not bad to apply to more than 5+ schools in fact most students applied to more than that from the poll at the top of the prep school thread ( how many schools were you admitted to). You want to apply to schools of different selectivity so you stand a chance of getting accepted and hopefully have a choice
It seem a cliché. But selective BS’s admit students holistically. So scores and grades are one aspect and once you check that box they look at other aspects sports, volunteer work, LORs, Essays, interviews music etc.
I sense that they look for well rounded applicants
I’d add that I think recommendations are significant too, in addition to grades, scores, ECs & essays. I also think BS like applicants whom they feel are seriously interested in boarding school (for boarding applicants) and whose parents are on board.
1, I submit my at Jan 15, it does not effect the admission process
2, Not really if the schools think you don’t fit them which they will give rejection or waitlist
Hello! I’ll try to answer ur questions, although some of it might be similar to the people above SORRY FOR THE LONG ANSWER
I submitted my apps on J15, and I’m pretty sure others did too(I submitted my app to one of my schools at 11:53 PM). I don’t think it has any effect on ur actual application tho to the committee.
Definitely not bad to apply to 5+. I applied to about 10. But I think things work different for everyone. If boarding school is your ride or die option, it might be good to have safeties, matches, and reach schools. Always make sure to cast a wide net.
I’d say they take everything into account(maybe some factors more than others). Essays and interviews might be a stronger factor, because they want to see that you have passion and interest towards their school. Additionally, they want to see your character. Extracurrics are also important, but know that there are plenty of people who’ve won international awards and are child prodigies but still have gotten rejected from schools. I’d say grades have a little more weight than SSAT, escpecially with the fact that some schools are test optional. For example, I had an amazing interview at one of the schools(the interviewer made it look as if I was already accepted just from the interview) but I ended up being waitlisted(prolly cuz my SSAT was too low). Things will be fine as long as you be authentic and true to who you are in the process.
Its really good that you’re thinking about this ahead of time! I applaud you for that. I came pretty late in the process. Good luck with your applications!
I do think Boarding Schools are looking strongly at your ability to live away from home. Are you emotionally mature and able to manage the stress? Will you seek help from their many resources when you need help? This analysis is a bit different from day schools. Most kids are homesick the first year at boarding school.
You can answer this concern by showing evidence of independence–sleepaway camps, working a responsible volunteer position or job. Taking care of household activities.
Hi! I’m a parent of student who just went through the application process. He applied to 8 boarding schools, got accepted to 4 and waitlisted to 1, and rejected by 3. A lot of it comes down to a memorable interview. My son also kept in touch with his interviewers throughout the process…updating them on his school year and achievements. I think building a “bond” with your admissions advisor helps. Our Loomis admissions advisor was so uninterested in my son because he wasn’t athletic. We loved the school, but we felt we were paired up with the worst admissions person. He was new and a football coach…so he showed little interest in my son who is more of a music kid. He even yawned during the interview and rushed my son out before he was able to ask questions. He didn’t even respond to his emails afterwards. Needless to say, he got rejected from Loomis. I think at the end of the day they will get a lot of applicants with great SSAT scores and grades…but if you don’t leave a lasting impression during the interview, you won’t get far.
My AO and I both had a love for dance at one of the schools I got accepted to, and we easily connected. I agree, I feel like having that great interview helped!
So funny we had a similar experience at Loomis.Interviewers at 12 other schools spent 45 min - 90 min with my daughter. All raving about her. Loomis spent a total of 20 mins. The interviewer (on the admissions team, former student, multicultural and I think Volley ball coach) was so not interested in my daughter. She talked about herself the whole time and never let my daughter tell her about her many awesome achievements. Left a horrible taste in our mouth about the school. It was funnier when the head of admissions sent a follow up note saying how wonderful they heard our daughter was. We laughed when we were rejected from there.
To answer the posters questions: I agree with the above.
Schools: Apply to a good range of schools as there are tons of talented applicants applying to a select number of schools with limited spots.
Visit: I encourage visiting schools when in session, if you can. And then again for revisit days if accepted. (If either of these are not options, attend as many online things and talk to as many people as possible to get a better sense of the school and culture.)Sometimes the schools you think you love either by reputation or slick marketing are not the best fits.
Application Timing: It does not matter when you get your materials in as long as they are in by the due date. Many schools do not even start reviewing until after that date.
SSAT: SSAT is a just one more piece of information. Schools use it to see that you can do the work. Sometimes they do not take students with very high scores just as they sometimes take students with lower scores. It really depends on the whole application and what the admissions’ teams sees that you can offer to the overall community.
ECs: Do Ecs that matter to you. too many kids think they need a laundry list of items. Schools will care about what you bring to their community and that your interest align with their offerings. So passion, dedication and success. Exploration is find too, you are still young.
Interviews: See these are a fun conversation to connect with someone. All but one of my daughters interviews were great. Interviewers are not trying to trick you; they want to get to know you.
Essays: Allow time for the essays. I cannot stress this enough. While you can reuse some, some questions differ slightly and have different word/character counts (pay attention to this not just on the form but also on the site you are loading onto - they are not always the same). My daughter wrote or edited a range of 54 short answer (sentences) and varying length essays for 13 schools.
Good luck - BS is amazing for the right person. Regardless of your decision or the outcome you will learn a lot about yourself in the process
I dont think so. I submitted all of my bs apps the week of J15, and I got into my top choices :)) However, if I had to redo the process, I would not procrastinate. I was so stressed for the entirety of Winter Break bc of my apps not being complete. But no, the committee won’t see you as a procrastinator.
5+ boarding schools is totally normal. However, just from personal experience, I would say that it is not about how many schools you apply to, but how well you match with the schools :)). I applied to 4 schools and got into 2 schools, and I know someone who applied to 15 schools and did not get into any. So in short, it is not the amount of schools, but it is how well you fit.
They really mean it when they say “xyz” is just a part of your application. Everything truly does matter. Boarding schools are looking for well rounded applicants. They want kids who are willing to try new things, experiment on campus with different clubs, and of course, succeed academically. As for the SSAT, I have an example. Me and two friends all applied to BS. My friend got a 98th percentile, I got an 85th percentile (which I worked myself up over), and my other friend got a 60th percentile. We all got into our top choices. The SSAT is only a small part of the application.
It totally does leave a bad taste in your mouth! The school campus could be the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen, but if the interviewer doesn’t make you feel good about yourself…it’s a deal breaker. No matter high ranked you are as a school. We just applied because they didn’t require anymore essays. But it definitely was the last on our list.
Applying to BS is a preview to college application process… many families/ students hunt for the top tier schools. You can do this of course but keep in mind you might get shut out completely.
It is not where you go but what do can you once you get there. Many many boarding schools have excellent course offering and teachers. Many have very cool extra curricular pursuits. Do not overlook the schools just below the top tier.
And, when applying/interviewing, show your curiosity and your humility. Most applicants are great students and motivated. Schools want to know more about you and how you might dive in, thrive, explore, contribute, and enjoy life within their whole community.
SORRY FOR THE LONG ANSWER