I’m looking for good art/prep schools (within three states of Illinois, if possible) that, when financial aid is applied, can easily be 10-15k a year. I plan on majoring in creative writing so I’d want to be able to focus on that.
In another thread I started, I was recommended Interlochen as an option with generous financial aid and good writing programs, but I’d like to hear some more thoughts before I make any major decisions. I’ve heard of Walnut Hill but I have yet to do any more research into it.
I am not looking for huge programs that are difficult to get into. I’d prefer a more individualized experience and a less urban campus if I can get it.
For reference, my family makes an estimated 121,000 a year in a more expensive community, we pay two mortgages as we’re in the process of selling our old home, I am the only dependent but my parents are helping my older brothers financially in college so our affordability options are scarce. My parents have agreed to send me to a boarding school if, with merit and need-based scholarships, I can bring tuition down to 10k a year, as I mentioned earlier. Sorry for the second long post. I hadn’t even considered boarding school as an option until now because the high price tag was intimidating for pre-college education. Don’t know if this helps, but I’ll be a rising sophomore by the time of application.
Is this achievable? I’m not afraid of not getting in–I’m confident in my academics and writing ability–I’m only really afraid of the affordability.
Appreciate all suggestions! I will research all of them further and compile a nice list of compatible schools.
I think you need to do a lot more research.
Haha. Of what kind? I’m totally down, of course. I’d love to be pointed in the right direction.
Better add this sooner than later. Only one of my parents attended college, and neither of them left the same K-12 school all throughout their compulsory school careers. My brothers don’t have any experience either so I really don’t have anybody to turn to, and extensive research is difficult when you have nothing to start with. Please, if you think there’s something I really need to learn because I sound uneducated/underresearched, I want to be given something to base it off of! I’m a freshman and I know that can mean I’m overzealous, that’s kind of the reason I’m posting this. Still, I’m not afraid of whatever you gotta throw at me. Is this unachievable? Tell me. It won’t stop me from trying though.
Gotta love being in a bad high school with unhelpful faculty and family that aren’t able to help me, amirite? /s
Start wandering through Niche and boardingschoolreview.com
There’s a lot to learn.
I won’t say it’s unachievable, but without much of a support system, you really have to do the legwork on your own.
Walnut Hill doesn’t have good financial aid. Interlochen may be better as they have a larger endowment.
You don’t need to go to an arts school to find a school with a good writing program. I’d recommend looking at non-arts schools as well.
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George School in PA has very strong arts, excellent academics, and gives good FA. You could take a look at that one.
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Culver Academies, in Indiana but quite close to Chicago, has a very good reputation and a big endowment. I suspect it offers plentiful financial aid; I believe it even offers full-ride merit scholarships to two or three excellent students per year. It is focused on leadership; the students wear uniforms; a lot of people go there from my area, and all say it’s an excellent school.
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Do you doubt OP would be a good candidate? She appears to be very self aware, motivated and mature and has been thoughtful about finances.
OP I apologize for not being able to offer direct advice as I am more familiar with northeast boarding and prep schools, but I wish you luck and admire your proactive and determined approach. I also noted from your prior post that your dad is a disabled vet…. Please thank him for his service!!
I can tell you from experience that Interlochen will almost certainly not give you a price tag of $10K, even if they are highly recruiting you. You can always try, and you can appeal the decision on FA once, but their large endowment is not spent on FA alone. Go to gofundme and search “Interlochen”, there are endless pages of kids needing to fill the FA/need gap. There is a creative writing scholarship, but it is very competitive.
Why not apply to a regular boarding school? Your writing instruction may be just as good or better and FA can be plentiful. Check out all the schools on Gateway to Prep Schools. Good luck!
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