My son is a soph. at a private day school ranked approx. 48 in U.S. in that category. He takes the toughest classes, has a 4.1 GPA, has played a varsity sport for two years, was freshman Class Pres., etc. His dad and sister went to U.S. boarding schools, and he now really wants to go to a boarding school overseas for his last two years. I’m concerned that it could be a step down in academic rigor or in college admissions chances for elite U.S. universities. The schools he is looking at are good Int’l Baccalaureate boarding schools in Switzerland. Need advice!
If he does the IBD, it is unlikely to be a step down in rigor. There is something to be said as well for having assessments done independently. A 6 is a 6 is a 6 – whether the teacher liked you or thought you were a jerks doesn’t factor into it.
I would look at where the kids at that school typically go to college to get a sense of how supportive the school will be while he’s applying. Some of the schools are more geared toward UK unis than US. He could get a great, global education. But without more info, it’s hard to know if it would be a help or hindrance toward the kind of U.S. colleges he might consider. What is the appeal for him?
The IB is just that- international. The standards are the same in the USA as anywhere. Virtually all US colleges recognize the IB and I can’t imagine it will count against him in anyway. Come on, a Swiss boarding school??? Colleges will fall over themselves to get him if he does well. There is absolutely NO way any college will view it as a step down in rigor. In fact, many European countries view the USA education system as lacking in rigor. We don’t place very high in world academic tables. If anything, I would say he will have a distinct advantage going abroad. Not to mention the amazing opportunity to experieince a foregin culture in beautiful Switzerland. I would send him with zero hesitation.
While I agree in general, I just need to point out that not all Swiss boarding schools are created equal. There still exist many that are little more than finishing schools where the rich and powerful send their kids. That said, US AO’s know the difference.
The admissions cycle has probably already closed for United World Colleges. I have met many students from their locations and the education is solid. Perhaps you could look into that for senior year.
^^^
UWCs are amazing in every respect, and colleges love UWC students. Did I mention they are free for US students?
The kids’ from our students’ US boarding schools whose American parents lived abroad did very well in the boutique or quirky college admissions like Brown. This could work in his favor, if he lives abroad in Switzerland for two years. Some of these elites like experiences abroad.
I don’t see it as an issue as long as the boarding school is a strong one and your child achieves at a high level. I have a friend who was born and raised in Europe and her D went to a Swiss boarding school for 2 years (don’t know which school). The daughter did very well there and ended up going to Columbia.
Thanks, all, for the good insights and for taking the time to comment. He’s ended up at UWC Changshu China and is thrilled!
@globaleyes Wow. That is very exciting. It’s important that he lives authentically and so if studying abroad was he passion, it’s important for him to do so.