Will attending a boarding school improve your chances of being accepted into the Ivy League? What you need to know

High school seniors are currently in the college admissions process; writing essays, correcting college lists and preparing for job interviews. However, high school seniors are not the only students facing important deadlines; students applying for boarding school must also submit their applications in the coming months. Like the admissions processes at elite colleges, boarding school admissions are holistic and highly competitive, which means students should start preparing their applications well in advance of starting their studies in January to February. deadlines.

Making the decision to attend boarding school can be difficult for both students and parents, considering that attending boarding school – as opposed to public or private day schools – requires a complete lifestyle change. While some students have dreamed of attending boarding school for years, others may have written it off as a viable option. Boarding schools have long been associated with various myths that can discourage students and families from considering them, assuming that they will not be a good fit for them for many reasons. However, for many students, boarding school can foster independence, academic development, social flourishing, and leadership skills.

As you consider the educational options that may be best for your student, here are three common myths about boarding schools and the truth behind these misconceptions:

1. Myth #1: Boarding schools are only for high-achieving students.

Reputable boarding schools across the United States are synonymous with academic rigor and prestige, leading many parents and students to assume that only high-achieving and straight-A students can attend boarding schools. However, this is simply not the case.

There are about 300 boarding schools throughout the United States and Canada, and each of these schools educates students with varying levels of academic ability, interests, values, and learning styles. Some boarding schools offer focused academic programs in specific disciplines, e.g Academy of Fine Arts in Interlochen Or North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Others, such as the historic Northeastern boarding schools mentioned above, offer a more traditional, academically rigorous boarding school experience. Alternatively, schools with religious roots such as George’s School AND Saint Paul offer students a more holistic, spiritual community.

Not only are boarding schools diverse in terms of culture and offerings, but students also choose to attend boarding schools for a variety of academic and non-academic reasons. While some students choose to attend boarding school to better prepare for an Ivy League academic environment, other students are drawn to the opportunity to become independent and carve out a space for themselves outside the home. Furthermore, boarding schools often place a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities such as sports, drama, and community service, offering students the chance to discover and develop their talents outside of traditional schooling. This multi-dimensional approach allows non-traditional students to develop beyond the classroom.

2. Myth #2: Boarding schools will guarantee admission to Ivy League schools.

Many of the most famous boarding schools in the US (including Phillips Exeter, Deerfield, LawrencevilleAND Hotchkiss) have a long history of affiliation with the Ivy League and continue to send dozens of graduates to Ivy League schools each year. Although attending a prestigious boarding school may increase your chances of admission to the Ivy League, it is important to remember that the Ivy League and other top schools evaluate students’ materials based on what is available to them. This means that a student attending an elite boarding school with numerous opportunities and resources will be expected to demonstrate how he or she has used these resources to develop professionally and academically. It is even more important for boarding school students to take on leadership roles and establish themselves on campus because they often have fewer opportunities to pursue extracurricular activities off campus than public or day school students. Boarding school students who excel in the Ivy League admissions process are those who think outside the box to demonstrate their abilities, significant commitment to their designated field of study, and their contributions to service to the community.

Additionally, while boarding school can prepare students personally and academically for the rigors of an Ivy League education, applicants are often competing against large numbers of their peers in doing so. Although Ivy League schools often admit multiple applicants from the same elite boarding school in a given application cycle, they typically try to diversify the incoming class by limiting the number of students admitted from the same institution or region. This means that boarding school students must act strategically and deliberately to stand out from other highly qualified applicants at their school.

3. Myth #3: Boarding schools are only for wealthy families.

The top private schools in the country cost around $70,000 a year ($67,315 at Phillips Exeter, $73,780 in Andover, $69,370 in Choate). Naturally, this leads many families to assume that boarding school is too expensive. However, most boarding schools offer generous financial aid packages and merit scholarships that alleviate much of this financial stress. The National Association of Independent Schools reported that boarding school students received an average $37,888 financial aid in 2022–2023, noting: “Given the significantly higher tuition fees for boarding students, it is not surprising that schools that offer boarding are seeing an even greater breadth and depth of financial support across the income spectrum.” Particularly in historic, prestigious boarding schools, enormous endowments allow institutions to offer significant financial aid (Exeter, for example, had a huge $1.3 billion equipment from 2019, Andover $1.32 billion (2023) and Deerfield $920 million (2024) – numbers rival those of collegiate institutions such as Oberlin, Villanova, and Claremont McKenna). Deerfield did it too pioneer free curriculum for middle class families to ease the financial burden. While these financial incentives may not offset the full costs of boarding school, they may allow families to consider this option rather than foregoing it entirely for financial reasons.

Your child’s education is one of the most important investments you will make. That’s why it’s important to consider every educational path and move beyond stereotypes and misconceptions to get a fuller picture of the opportunities available to your child. While boarding schools may not be right for every student, they can provide many students with a vibrant, intellectually stimulating community.