How to Prepare for Power America's Elite Boarding Schools
Students looking for a competitive, academically rigorous high school experience may want to consider boarding school. Although attending an elite boarding school does not promise a lifetime of wealth, status and career success, it does prepare students for the challenges of college and may increase students' odds of getting into top universities. Boarding schools produce well-rounded graduates, since students leave home at as young as 14 to live with peers from many different states, participate in extracurricular activities and take college-level courses. Students with intellectual curiosity, appreciation for diversity and a strong work ethic should apply.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Boarding school applications
- Test scores (SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and/or others)
- Academic letters of recommendation
- Personal letter of recommendation
- Graded writing samples
- School transcript
- Application fees
- Financial aid applications (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Research boarding schools, visit campuses and decide where to apply. As you make your choices, consider the school's location, the rigor of its curriculum, the tuition cost and availability of financial aid.
-
2
Visit each school's website to find application deadlines and admissions requirements.
-
-
3
Sign up for standardized tests. Top boarding schools often require students to take an exam particular to their entry grade. For example, Choate Rosemary Hall requires incoming freshman and sophomores to take the SSAT or ISEE; juniors must take the ACT, SAT, SSAT or PSAT; and seniors must take the SAT or ACT. Check each of your schools' admissions requirements to find out which test(s) to take. If you are an international student and English is not your first language, you may also need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
-
4
Prepare for standardized exams by studying content and test-taking strategies. It may help to take a class, buy a book or hire a private tutor from a test preparation company like Kaplan Premier or Princeton Review.
-
5
Schedule an interview if one is required. Some schools may offer local interviews with alumni for students who cannot visit campus for an interview.
-
6
Complete and submit your application before the deadline. This may include a personal statement, graded writing sample, teacher recommendations, school transcript and application fee. Again, see the admissions page of each school's website for specific requirements.
-
7
Submit a financial aid application if you feel your family cannot afford a school's full tuition.
-
8
Revisit schools once you've been accepted to finalize where you'd like to attend boarding school.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Begin taking standardized exams a year before your application deadlines. This will give you time to retake tests if you need higher scores.
Be aware of boarding school and college price tags. Don't let attending boarding school jeopardize your ability to pay for college.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit altrendo images/Stockbyte/Getty Images
