Most of the BS applications initially ask whether you want to apply to BS or day school. Is the switch from Day School to Boarding school and vice versa possible? I understand it could differ from school to school. Could anyone please share their or their family/friends’ experiences with specific schools?
As you note, it will depend on the school. The admit the class with certain breakdowns in mind. Boarding to day may be easier than vice versa
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This came up a few times during our interviews last fall. My son applied as a day student because he didn’t want to live at his school, but we felt he could switch to boarding in his junior or senior year.
Every school told us it’s possible as long as a bed becomes available. Once he wants to go board just let the school know so that they can put him on a “waiting list”. For the school he’s attending now as a freshman day student, it’s much easier for day students to switch to boarders. In the parent handbook, it clearly says boarders can not switch to day unless there are some extraordinary circumstances.
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That’s what I thought but then there is also tuition which comes into play for schools to allow it.
This is good to know, thank you! It does make sense that a bed has to be available for a switch to boarders. Just wanted to hear exactly such experiences.
Every school will be a bit different.
For example, there are schools that have geographic limitations as to who must be a day student vs who must be a boarding student, with some areas that could be either. Other schools have no such limitations.
Some schools have more turnover in their student populations and have more flexibility for students who change their mind and wish to board. (Not necessarily for the entry year, but later on.) Other schools have little attrition and making a move from day to boarding can be difficult.
I know of at least one school that requires all students to board for at least 1 year so I imagine that they might have more flexibility between day & boarding.
I’ve not before heard of a school that won’t allow a boarder to become a day student ever without exigent circumstances, but I’m sure there are schools whose enrollment needs warrant that.
May I ask which school is this?
The Hill School in PA
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I know kids who switched from day to boarding at both George and Peddie. In all cases, the first hurdle was availability of a bed. The second was that they weren’t known trouble-makers. The last was that – unless there were extenuating circumstances (such as a severely ill parent), they did not need more (or any) FA to make the switch.
Quite a few years ago, Westtown required everyone to board for at least a year. They dropped this. My guess is that as a school with lower grades, where by definition kids had to be day students, this requirement felt arbitrary and unnecessary and ultimately harmful to enrollment, but that’s speculation.
I’ve also known boarders who switched to day. There was often a specific reason for this, i.e., health (mental or physical) related, but not always. I have never heard of a request in that direction being denied, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
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Interesting. Brooks AO mentioned that day places (30%) are the most competitive spots to get. Perhaps applying as boarder helps? Assuming you would want to board.
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Maybe geographic location of school influences demand for dat student spots. Far more demand around Princeton or Boston than in rural CT 
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I plan to ask on the visit days but that might be too late since the first part of the application needs to get submitted even to be able to select an interview date. In the first part itself, they are asking for a BS/day student.
That makes sense! So right from Exeter, Andover, Groton, Middlesex, Nobles, and Milton all will have more demand from local students. Would you say the day school acceptance rate is also lower than the boarding school in these areas?
I also hear there are pipeline schools.
Blair is easier as day, or at least was, and it seems that to be good communitymembers, they reallywanted local students… But yes, location matters greatly, and it definitely varies!
Most interview forms ask that you indicate one, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to the AO about this in the interview, either to change or to indicate flexibility.
That’s a good point. I never knew that was an option, thank you!
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Be aware that some schools, e.g. Exeter and Andover, have geographic restrictions where students from certain towns can only apply as day students
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Agreed, I need to think of that too if I apply as a day student.
Isn’t this the other way around for Andover/Exeter? The geographic restrictions say you can only apply as a day student if you are from VERY close to the school? Doesn’t mean those same people could also choose to apply as a boarding student.
Edited to add:
****FYI just looked this up and what I wrote above is incorrect. Andover has no restrictions but Exeter does. Look at their admissions website for clear explanation.
Also - Nobles is primarily a day school. There is 5 day boarding available for students who want that, but you still have to live reasonably close (or have a local relative) to do that.
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The rules may have changed, but back in the day, residents of Andover, North Andover, and a few other towns could only apply as a day student to Andover. I’ll leave it to the OP to research their situation.
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Exeter has certain towns from which applicants can only be day students and certain towns from which applicants have a choice to be day or boarding.