transferring between boarding schools

ExieMITAlum
Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:51:22 +0000

Summer school is not the same. It’s not. I asked my daughter to attend Access Exeter when it was clear she would not shake loose the idea of going to boarding school. She had a blast and their was no going back. But there was a big difference between Exeter summer school (which was hard but fun) and Exeter fall/spring environment (harder, much more rigid, much more sink or swim mentality). Summer school is not often taught by regular faculty - but guest teachers and part-timers.

Summer schools serve a purpose, helping students become independent, have fun, decide if they can love a boarding experience. But in many ways it’s just an academic “camp.” So the school your son fell in love with may not be the same one he will get during an academic year.

Staying on the waitlist is fine - but honestly - things happen for a reason. (And my D is still friend with many of her summer school classmates - even after all this time - and many of them scattered to other boarding schools around the world).