Getting Started: Applying to Boarding School

Schools.com

Begin your search by utilizing the information available on this website, Schools.com, which was created by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). TABS is a nonprofit educational association serving boarding schools in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Schools.com provides comprehensive information, with additional features specifically designed to help you search for the right schools. The Boarding Schools Directory and School Search will help narrow your list of potential schools by searching for specific school types, sizes, locations, courses offered, or extra-curricular activities. For example, if you are interested in boarding schools in a specific state offering soccer and creative writing, simply enter this information in the appropriate fields to generate a list of schools that match these criteria.

Researching Schools on Your List

Once you have generated a list of boarding schools, you can link to their websites. School websites contain a great deal of valuable information. Some websites offer a virtual tour of campus while others will allow you to view the latest edition of the school newspaper or view the academic schedule and course descriptions. If you wish to receive more information about a school, complete an online information request form or call the school's admission office. Schools will send viewbooks, videos, and curriculum information free of charge. Upon request, schools will often provide names of parents, alumni/ae and others whom you can contact for a personal point of view.

Contacting a School

The initial contact should be made directly to the Admission Office. The Boarding Schools Directory lists the appropriate admission contact for each school as well as the school's mailing address, telephone, and fax numbers. Most admission offices are open during normal business hours.

As you learn about individual schools through their websites, written materials, and direct communication with admission officers, keep track of any questions you may have that are not being answered. Admission officers enjoy talking about their schools and will be happy to answer your questions. To show your initiative, however, avoid asking about things that you can easily learn about on the school's website or in their written materials such as enrollment numbers or the name of the school head. Instead, ask about matters that are not as easy to convey in written materials. Examples of such questions might include:

• What makes your school unique?
• Tell me about your advisor program.
• Given the option, what areas or things would current students wish to improve?
• What do students do on weekends?
• How difficult is it to play varsity or junior varsity sports?
• May I speak to the teacher or coach of the program I'm interested in?
• How do I apply for financial assistance?

The Admission Checklist

Because no two boarding schools are alike, matching a student with an appropriate boarding school is a big step towards ensuring future success. For this reason, we developed the following checklist to guide you through the process. Below are the "things to do" and some reminders that will make applying to and selecting the right boarding school an easier task for you.

1. Use School Search to find any programs in which you're interested.
   • English as a Second Language
   • Post Graduate
   • Learning Differences
   • Special Needs
   • Pre-Professional Arts

    

2. Browse the Boarding Schools Directory after you consider what type of school will suit you.
   • Small
   • Large
   • Military
   • 5-day boarding
   • Single-sex
   • Coed
   • Junior schools
   • Rural or urban schools
   • Religiously affiliated schools

    

3. Contact the schools that interest you by e-mail, phone, or mail. Ask each school for its:
   • Catalog
   • Video
   • Application requirements and deadlines
   • Financial aid information and deadlines

    

4. Make appointments to visit your top selections.
   

    

5. Ask the schools about required testing.
   • SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) - call (609) 683-4440.
   • ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) - call (800) 989-3721.
   • TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language) - call (609) 951-1100.

    

6. Complete and forward applications to your favorite schools.
   • Check to see if the schools you wish to apply to accept the Admission Application Form.
   • Continue to check with your current teachers, school registrar, and coaches about the recommendation forms or transcripts they must submit on your behalf.
   • Call the admission offices at your selected schools periodically to check on your file or if you have questions about any of the forms.

    

      7.     If you plan to apply for financial aid, it is imperative that you complete the necessary forms on time. For more information about financial aid, click here.

This article was reprinted with permission from The Association of Boarding Schools

© 2004 The Association of Boarding Schools, All Rights Reserved