<p>Hi Everyone! This term, I am taking a journalism elective. My current article assignment is the Secondary School process and how it affects students and admissions councilors. I would like to incorporate some of the ideas and opinions from you all on this website. If you wouldn’t mind providing me honest information/stories/quotes answering, but not limited to, the following questions that would be so helpful!
<em>If you would like me to include your name and country, PM me and it will go in the article</em> </p>
<p><em>Questions marked (</em>) will be used for statistical value*
Why did you decide to apply to boarding school?
How many schools did you apply to? (<em>)
Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways?
Did you apply as a boarding student or day? (</em>)
What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (outstanding literature courses, chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc)</p>
<p>Also, if you wouldn’t mind providing me with:
What grade you applied for
and-
What school will you be attending next fall
so I can properly cite quotes. i.e. (Millbrook School class of '10)</p>
<ol>
<li>Why did you decide to apply to boarding school? I’ve always wanted to. Public school just doesn’t do it for me, and the private schools near by aren’t that great. Plus I’ve always had some weird connection to New England (cheesy I know). I’m independent and I have friends who go to some. It was weird though, or at least people living near me found it weird, since I’m from the South. It isn’t “the norm” here.</li>
<li>How many schools did you apply to? () 4</li>
<li>Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways? Not really. I enjoyed and spaced out all of my visits. I got a little stressed about the actual paper applications, but they’re due after winter break so I spent then and Thanksgiving doing them. Andover’s was the most stressful for me. Middlesex’s was the least stressful.</li>
<li>Did you apply as a boarding student or day? () Boaring</li>
<li>What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (outstanding literature courses, chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc) The had to have a GREAT English department, a cross country and track team, nice people, and an intellectual but not high-pressured environment.</li>
</ol>
<p>What grade you applied for
and- Junior year
What school will you be attending next fall- The Middlesex School</p>
<p><em>Questions marked (</em>) will be used for statistical value*
Why did you decide to apply to boarding school?
I decided to apply to boarding school because I wanted a unique high school experience. I wanted a great relationship with my school as a whole, an actual home away from home. I wanted classmates that really wanted to be at our school. I wanted teachers that were devoted, who wanted me to push myself and wanted me to succeed in all mediums, not just their subject, not just in academics. I wanted to grow as a person, to find myself through high school, and to not just have a picturesque high school experience: tears, laughter, anger, sadness — they are all the things that make for a great school adventure.
I couldn’t see myself getting this at a private day school, even in the great schools around my area, and I know that it’s a lot to expect from a school, but I’m sure that even if I don’t find all of those things, I’ll find something else just as wonderful.
How many schools did you apply to? (<em>)
I applied to five schools (four boarding, one day)
Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways?
Somewhat. Finishing and revising my applications was semi-stressful, and the week before I got my letters, just the realization that my fate could be sealed with a single typed piece of paper, was fairly hectic and crazy.
Did you apply as a boarding student or day? (</em>)
Boarding to all schools except for the day school, obviously.
What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (outstanding literature courses, chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc)
I looked for an outstanding English department, a great track team, and all of the things I stated in question #1. </p>
<ul>
<li>Northfield Mount Hermon Class of '12. Applied for Grade 9.</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li><p>Why did you decide to apply to boarding school?
The public schools in my area are not the best in the word. I won’t go into the gory details, but I have never been happy there. I looked at some private day schools, but they failed in comparison with boarding school, in both academics, and living environment. </p></li>
<li><p>How many schools did you apply to? ()
Seven, Five boarding Schools and 2 day schools (Backup options)</p></li>
<li><p>Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways?
It was stressful, like any admissions process is bound to be. There was an ever-present feeling of self doubt. “What is no one accepts me, what if I’m not good enough?” That wears you down after a while. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun! I spent my days (and nights) visualizing my happy, productive future in an ideal school environment. </p></li>
<li><p>Did you apply as a boarding student or day? ()
Boarding </p></li>
<li><p>What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (Outstanding literature courses, Chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc.)
An splendid English Program, A sense of community and camaraderie amongst students and faculty, academic rigor, eclectic mix of diverse students and staff, and a high-quality Performing Arts Program.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Asheville School, Class of '12, applied as a Third Former (9th grade)</p>
<p><em>Questions marked (</em>) will be used for statistical value*
Why did you decide to apply to boarding school?
For me, it was either boarding school in U.S. or going back to Korea for an international school because my parents were moving back, which I thought was a bad option, so I decided to stick with boarding. Also, I wanted to get the highest education possible for myself to get into a good college for the future.
How many schools did you apply to? (<em>) 3
Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways?
Since I started my application process really late (late november) because the boarding school option was a late idea, it was really really hard for me and my mom to schedule the interviews, the visits and for me to finish the apps.! I stayed up until 2 in the morning the day before it was due. Some people consider that nothing but it was something for me. I was trying hard as I can to finish my application while keeping up at school which was challenging also.
Did you apply as a boarding student or day? (</em>) boarding
What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (outstanding literature courses, chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc)
First, it was the surroundings of the school. Whether it the campus, the city, some kind of atmosphere had to be excellent. Second, of course was the academics and the college matriculation because that was the main reason of attending bs’s. Thirdly, it was the specific programs that each school had-NMH(community service), Episcopal(the washington program), LFA(really nothing, the school is just around my areas). And last but not the least, the schools’ college endowment because I needed to have a significant FA.</p>
<p><em>Questions marked (</em>) will be used for statistical value*
1.I applied because I did not feel at all challenged by my current school and wanted more… also as an only child, I hoped to gain some independence.
2. Three (Choate, Milton, Loomis)
3. It was stressful at times, yes, but I could tell the schools tried to make it as easy as possible. At some points though, I would freak out because I had no idea how I was ranked compared to the other applicants. I wondered if even though it was probably my best essay ever… what if I just wasn’t good enough.
4. I applied as a boarder.
5. Strong arts programs, fun and useful alternatives to athletics </p>
<ol>
<li>Why did you decide to apply to boarding school? Boarding school had more options for classes i was more interested in. My public high school is the best in the state but i didn’t think i would be in an academically motivated environment if i stayed public. my peers just aren’t really into trying hard in school/ getting the point of school. I also thought boarding school would be, in general, a more fun experience.</li>
<li>How many schools did you apply to? () 1</li>
<li>Did you find the process to be stressful? In what ways? The most stressful part was squeezing my 2 essays onto one sheet of paper.</li>
<li>Did you apply as a boarding student or day? () Boarding</li>
<li>What was the one (or two or three) aspect of a school that you used while searching? (outstanding literature courses, chinese program, knitting club, equestrian program etc) I don’t think i can answer because i only looked at one school.</li>
</ol>
<p>Phillips Exeter Academy Class of '12 (for 9th grade)</p>
<p>Definitely! its on my list of excruciating things I neeeed to compose before May 28. this year is almost over and Im like on a major time crunch. anyone else feeling the same scrunch???</p>