<p>Just wondering, I’m an average student at a highly respected public school but I averaged a 3.5 gpa for the year. I was wondering if it would be worth applying to BS? I had been dead set on it but now I’m wondering. My family is middle class in our high/middle class area (I’m not meaning to be rude or brag) and while if we got FA they may consider BS I would feel bad to make them shell out a lot of $ for a school I’m not getting chills thinking about, you know? </p>
<p>I guess what I’m trying to ask is if a kid who is interested in Film/Creative writing, but is a fairly ordinary girl on High honors <em>despite GPA i guess</em> at a prestigious school would benefit from BS. I’m 15 and a sophomore to be currently so I’d have to apply junior/ repeat sophomore. I just don’t want to waste hundreds on tests and applications. I go to a great school where the valedictorian is well over 4.0 gpa (but prob less than 10% gets into ivy-which is still very good i understand) and is really great academically- so a “safety” school is not necessary. My approach would be if i get in, i have several doors opened and wonderful programs that my school doesn’t offer. If i don’t, I’ll just have to open those doors myself. I’d look into HADES schools along with Thatcher, Cate, And a few others I have in a list I don’t feel like getting (lazy i know!). </p>
<p>Sorry If this is confusing. Its late her, and I’m half asleep!
Thanks in advance everyone!!</p>
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<li><p>Just apply. You will regret it if you don’t. You can weigh your financial aid package/s when you receive the admission decisions. If the amount they are willing to give you doesn’t meet their standards they can always call the school and explain their situation asking for a bit more. </p></li>
<li><p>If you do decide to apply make sure you don’t sell yourself short by saying you’re “average” or “ordinary”, boarding schools want confident (but not cocky) students. Even if you may not have the greatest GPA, remember to “rock what you got”. Everyone is unique in some way. They want to know how you stand out from the many other applicants. Emphasize your passion for film/creative writing, it’ll help differentiate yourself. </p></li>
<li><p>You can apply for fee waivers for the SSAT and application fees if it will present a burden for your family. Some schools are more lenient than others, however.</p></li>
<li><p>You may be hurting yourself by only looking into the “HADES” schools + Thacher and Cate. There are quite a few other schools that are just as academically rigorous, if that is your only requirement. You may want to consider the art-based boarding schools if you feel strongly enough about film/creative writing and want to make a career out of it. </p></li>
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<p>Applying to prep school is totally worth it. You would get so many more opportunities than your local public school (probably) offers. I know for the next 4 years I will be thriving in a nurturing environment, where slackers are few and far between.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to waste money, then apply to schools with maybe 30+ acceptance rates so you cam have a better chance of getting in. There are lots of very good and prestigious schools out there around that acceptance rate. Look into Millbrook, Blair, Asheville, Kent, St. Marks, etc. You can also check boardingschoolreview(.)com. They have student reviews and you can narrow down the choices according to your preference. Goof luck!</p>
<p>I think you should look at viewbooks, visit a school or two, and read this site. I know it was late when you wrote the question but I don’t “read” passion or excitement in your post. What I read is a lot of doubts about whether you’d benefit - and that will show through in an interview.</p>
<p>This year a lot of enthusiastic, well-prepared students were declined on CC. In their minds, there was no doubt that boarding school was the answer for them. So imagine an Adcom faced with someone who is ambivalent about the price, the burden on the family, and whether it compares with a good option at home. </p>
<p>In this case, you’re in a good school, have okay grades (straight A’s would be better) and haven’t made much of a case for why a BS would want you as a student.</p>
<p>What I mean is, so many people focus on what a BS can do for them, they forget that the other 50%+ side of the equation is what a boarding school believes you will add to them as well (not always sports, etc.). And in the end - with thousands of applications for a handful of spots, the answer is going to come down to “what can the student add to the overall student body.”</p>
<p>Take some time to visit a school - even if it’s one within driving distance of your home (there are boarding schools all over the country) and determine if it’s “for you.” If so, then figure out what having an extra year will do for you in terms of growth.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I came across not overly enthused- I really am, It’s just I’m one of those teens who looks into their career wayyyy before its started (silly i know!). We live in the Mid-west I believe, and theres only 1 recognized boarding school in our state and that one is known as and proudly declares itself as math and science institute.
Film isn’t offered that much here (or at local BS’s)- until senior year if you’re lucky- and thats a HUGE reason why I’m looking into other programs(:
My parents never introduced me to boarding school so for a couple months CC has been a guide and very helpful! Boarding School applications are something they told me I can do on my own so I don’t think missing work to visit maybe-schools would sit with them very well- I’ll try though! It would be a LONG car ride with a Dog and a brother or a long flight either way!</p>
<p>Long story short- I have a huge list of schools I’m shortly narrowing. Honestly the only HADES school I’m very interested in is Andover, so I’ll most likely be staying away from the majority of those “tier 1” schools since I’ve found other less-known ones that fit me well from what i can tell. What I’m interested in is California schools since most have stellar art programs and are near LA which could give me future connections and all that stuff.(:</p>
<p>@2010 hopeful- That is what I was thinking. I know I’d most likely look back and wonder why i didn’t try which is what has kept this idea of applying in my head for so long. </p>
<p>If it’s any consolation my D entered BS planning to pursue a law degree. Then took a video editing class her first year and began doing theater and that’s all she wrote. The team travels to a different area of the world to work on scripts and film a production during the summer. My D is now planning to pursue film as a major. Check out Taft’s film studio</p>
<p>Which is to say - Andover is one of my favorite schools. But it’s not the only school with video editing/film production. Many of them have film departments with state of the art equipment. I’ve often called Taft’s instructor for advice on video editing and special effects software.</p>
<p>BTW - I was speaking in my past post as an interviewer - letting you know what you’ll be in for. As a “mom” I say - follow your heart. Explore all the BS options. Then make a decision from the choices you get on March 10th. If worse comes to worse you can decide to stay home. Always good to see what options you have.</p>
<p>But don’t limit to just Andover. The competition is very, very VERY tough at all the schools, especially if you need Financial Aid. Broaden your search to Andover and other schools. Governor’s Academy, for instance, is smaller but within about 10-15 minutes drive of Andover. Often overlooked, but great facilities.</p>
<p>Brooks School in North Andover, MA is another great option to look into. The school seemed really artsy when I visited this past year. I believe they have a year long Film class and also offer independent studies. The Brooks Film Society has recently been reactivated and has pumped out quite a few videos in the last academic year. Here’s a link to their youtube channel: </p>
<p>@laurkey if you have a 3.5 GPA you may not want to look at HADES so much, or maybe only apply to one HADES school. I have a 3.72 at a highly regarded private school and I’m only looking at Middlesex in the HADES crowd. Andover is highly competitive. I cannot stress enough how strong and mature of a student you have to be to survive, not to mention succeed, at Andover. My sister went there and im not applying because I’m too scared after watching and hearing about all the stress she went through.
I would suggest looking at episcopal high. It is in Virginia so it is often overlooked, but it is a great school.</p>
<p>oh I know- Andover is basically Ivy league BS, I don’t think I’d even get in! haha I’m just saying that was a school that I liked- It seemed less “uptight” I guess. Brooks will MOST definitely be the next thing i google. I hadn’t heard of it! @ehphant- I know about the work load(: i get bored easily and so that doesn’t bug me. I actually wish my teachers did harder things. </p>
<p>Also I got a 3.5 due to missing a lot of school for health reasons otherwise I would be higher which is frustrating but theres not much to do about that. Teachers were understanding but left out test info, etc, etc. Its all been taken care of now but I just want to make it clear I really can do well. (:</p>
<p>Has anyone heard anything about: Thatcher, Cate, Idyllwild arts academy, or St. Andrews? They would all be far away but I liked what I’ve heard about them so far.(:</p>
<p>But yes, Andover would be a hugeee reach. Its what got me looking into schools though, so I think I might kick myself if I didn’t try at least (even though I realize they have rejected 4.0 students with superb stats & Community service… all that stuff). (:</p>
<p>I’d recommend doing some searching on [Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5DBoarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com). You can search for schools by competitiveness, SAT scores, or just by name. This is a good way to see what’s out there. There are descriptive pages for each school and often student reviews as well. I’d recommend being methodical as you create a prospect list.</p>
<p>LaurKey13, if you know that you have a passion for filmmaking, you can start now. You don’t need a BS. At any boarding school, you will not be able to focus only on making films, or only on creative writing. There are summer programs in filmmaking, which might be a better choice for an intensive, creative experience. [New</a> York City: Tisch School of the Arts at NYU](<a href=“Special Programs”>Special Programs) You should also investigate local colleges and community colleges for dual-enrollment courses. A student who’s made the effort to follow her passion in high school stands out from her peers.</p>
<p>In three years (36 months), if you stay at your current school, you will be heading off to college. Many colleges have strong film programs. It might be better to save on tuition in high school, to be able to afford the film program of your choice in college.</p>
<p>I was in the exact same position as you! Except I didn’t start looking into bs til October of the year I was applying. I applied as a repeat sophomore at almost all the HADES schools as well as choate; I’d say we are similiar academically and economically; I have like a 3.75, honors classes, in a very good public school from a middle/upper middle class family. In regards to if you should apply, I’d say definately. Don’t cut yourself short and think you can’t get into the top schools just because you don’t have a 4.0, I got into one HADES school and waitlisted at one. I’m not extraordinarily smart or amazing at sports, just very driven and I got that point across in my interviews so that can be your way in, an exceptional interview. As to whether you should leave your good public school or not… thats a bit tougher to say. I still am struggling with that choice and it’s July!!! I focused so much on getting in that I didn’t think of actually going and leaving my already good school. I’m at the point now where we can’t get the deposit back if I don’t go so definately don’t wait til July to decide if you want to go! But if you very strongly feel your school right now will get you where you want to go after high school then I would day stay. A bs is about boarding life and meeting a diverse group of people and so on, not just the academics. It’s a great thing but not the only thing like people on here are often deluded. Sure, the door to top colleges is wider open at bs because of schools connections but I firmly believe a hard working student at public school can get where they want too. Be sure you have your patents support either way; mine started the process off not really too interested if I went or not and saying whether I stay or go is up to me and either is fine; that’s all changed now that I got in and have almost a full scholarship, it now is pretty much I go or they are dissapointec in me. So many people prepare for not getting in bit make sure you are fully prepared for if you do get in and the repercussions of putting yourself and parents through a long application and interviewing process. If you ate uncertain now about going, you might change your mind when you visit and are actually applying but you might be just as uncertain. Ultimately my best advice to you would be do what you feel is right, there are PLENTY of amazingly successful people who did go to boarding school, just as there ate plenty who didn’t! Hope I help a bit (:</p>
<p>@erlanger - Um… ouch? I’m a 4.0 student (regularly) who started having seizures ONLY at school this year (stress supposedly which I don’t believe because I’m not stressed easily), missed spring break to get a 5 day test done and missed school for other neurology-tests. While my school tried to work hard with me (and I put effort in) my grades suffered for a bit because of the time I missed and because when finals came around I hadn’t had the discussions or tips given in class. one of my teachers even said thats what must have gone wrong so thats the reason for the 3.5, and not because I’m incompetent. I still have all A’s/B’s. @xxDAxx - My gosh! Thats basically my exact situation (except i haven’t applied obviously! haha) I feel the same way about making it in public school but I’m not emotionally invested in my school right now. @Periwinkle- Being underage with no ride to the college close to us I can’t take college courses and our community one is in a bad area (I’ve already checked with parents). Its about 20-30 min away since we are in a suburb. As for the summer programs I started looking in a little late- but I for sure will be looking into camps next summer. My parents would most likely not be good with me going up to New york for a summer considering I mentioned a Columbia of Chicago camp and they freaked! Will look into it though (:</p>
