I’m back and wanted to call out some schools who went above and beyond with us.
George School –
We never had a chance to visit because we kept thinking we would do it at revisit time. So, very sadly, we crossed off our list because DD felt like it made no sense to commit to an unknown given she had so many schools that she had visited and she had loved. But, I want to say that every single conversation we had with George school – even the one where we turned them down – was thoughtful, meaningful, and kind. We found ourselves feeling like we really missed out by not getting to go to campus. (And see @gardenstategal!). I’ve read that kids either know they love George, or they know it’s not for them, the minute they get on campus. I think we would have loved them, but it was too risky, given we had other options.
Mercersburg –
Oh Mercersburg! Gosh we fell in love with them the minute DD interviewed! I think she would have been truly very happy there. They embody the idea that you are sending your kids to people not a school. I spent a fair amount of time on the phone with folks from MB, and we attended all of their virtual visits. Ultimately, we could not overcome the risk of not having visited (again – given we had visited other schools). But I’ll say this: if we’d not had other options that we had visited in person, I would have sent my DD to MB. I felt as sure as was probably possible without having visited.
Both GS and MB rose up in a way many other schools did not. They also both offered very generous merit scholarships to my DD, which was no small thing. We were touched by their generosity. Also, their handwritten notes from the admissions team stood out to us.
If any of my other 3 DDs decide to apply to BS in the future, we will absolutely be visiting both of these schools. In fact, I may even find a way to swing by sometime in my future work travels (what is travel?! what is work?!), just so I can meet in person the wonderful people I’ve met on the phone and in zoom to say thank you.
If anyone is considering either one of these schools, know that this mom is a HUGE fan!