Getting Started: Applying to Boarding School

Selecting and applying to boarding school need not be daunting. This section contains an easy-to-follow description and explanation of the boarding school admission process.

The decision to apply to boarding school provides a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery and, as with any major decision, will require a good deal of time and energy. The ultimate goal of this process is to find schools offering the courses, programs, and extra-curricular activities that are good matches for a student's skills, talents and abilities. Just as individuals have unique interests and needs, boarding schools offer their own special missions and programs. Given the variety of options, researching schools is a critical first step in the selection process to ensure that the student focuses on schools that are a good fit.

The good news is that there are literally hundreds of boarding schools. The bad news is that there are literally hundreds of boarding schools. How does one narrow the field from hundreds of choices to a handful? Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to assist in the decision making process.

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: