How can I convince my parents to let me go to boarding school?

Question

I want to go to Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, but I don't know how I could convince my parents to let me go. Any ideas?

Answer 1

tell them you'll pay for it.

Answer 2

First of all, Exeter is quite possibly the best school in the country and it's VERY difficult to get into. If you don't have your parents 100% on board with the idea of a prestigious prep school, it will be very difficult to make it past the admissions committee. I'm sure you're extremely talented, but you should also realize that almost everyone who applies is an overachiever and less than 20% are chosen for admission each year. What I'm saying it--come up with a few back up schools, and if you don't get in to Exeter DON'T feel bad. There are lots of schools that use the Harkness method, and there are lots more schools that can closely match Exeter in quality of education.

Ok, now on to your actual question. I was in a similar situation when I decided to go to boarding school. I don't come from a rich family, and we're from a part of the country where almost no one goes to boarding school. My parents had never even met anyone who had gone to boarding school, so they were not very supportive. However, I was a good student with perfect test scores and a sense of adventure. I convinced them by a.) showing them statistics on college matriculation, b.) showing them school videos so they could see the AMAZING resources boarding schools offer, c.) showing them demographic breakdowns of the schools so they wouldn't think I would be the only poor kid there, and d.) getting a full scholarship.

So tell them this: Exeter is widely considered to be the best high school in the country--at the very least it is among the top three. It draws students from all socioeconomic backgrounds from all over the world and pairs them with highly educated teachers in an innovative classroom environment. It has a 100% college matriculation rate, and sends most of its graduates to the best colleges in the U.S. and abroad. It has an endowment larger than that of many colleges, which means it is able to offer excellent financial aid to needy students and boasts a really impressive campus.

If you live in the Northeast, I would recommend asking your parents to visit the campus with you. It is hard to describe what is so special about great boarding schools because they are so different from regular high schools, but visiting could help your parents see the benefits of a boarding school education. I don't think my parents were fully comfortable with the idea of me going away until they visited the campus and realized what a good place it was for the right kind of student.

Good luck! And, if you can get your parents on board with the idea of a boarding school, do consider other schools. There are MANY great boarding schools in the Northeast and beyond, and the top 10-15 of them will offer just as strong an education as Exeter. Among coed schools, many look at Deerfield, St. Paul's, Andover, Groton, Middlesex, Choate, and so on. Also, if you're a girl consider girls schools. Recent studies have shown that graduates from girls schools are much higher achievers in college and beyond, and are more likely to become doctors, scientists, or get PhDs in any discipline. The top two girls schools in the country are undoubtedly Miss Porter's in CT and Emma Willard School in NY. I would consider Chatham Hall in VA to be in third place, though I may be a bit biased since that's the place I called second home during high school. :)

Answer 3

First of all have you done your homework? Do you know anyone who is attending the Academy as a boarder? I gave my daughter the option to board at her private school and she turned it down as she saw the effect it was having on those girls who did board. It is certainly not for everyone.
Secondly is there a specific reason for wanting to attend that particular school? Is it the best place to study for your particular chosen career and one with your attributes, skills and abilities?
Have you considered that your parents may not feel that they can afford to send you away to board, it is certainly not a cheap option. Maybe they cannot bear to have you away from them at this time.
You must consider your arguments thoroughly before approaching them on this subject, show them how determined you are and that you have shown the maturity to look into the pros and cons of such a move. Then and only then can you be sure it is the right thing for you and in so doing you may be able to persuade them to that course of action.

Answer 4

First of all, you should really decide if you want to go to London for school. Write down the pros and cons of living on your own. How old are you? Do you have financial support? When you get it all figured out. Present it to your parents, let them know that youre ready to live on your own. I believe you should stay with your parents where you have support and liability. Instead of living on your own. How will you pay for food and all? Have you checked out schools and expenses of living there? This is a big topic to think about. I think you should really do your research.

Answer 5

Tell them it will give you a greater chance on you getting into an Ivy Leage college. It's true. Most kids from boarding schools get accepted into prestigious colleges.

Answer 6

well you could bugg them about it but that may not work.. just tell them if they want the best for you they will send you to boarding school and tell them how much you would appreciate it, and stuff like that.

hope i helped u somewhat :D

Answer 7

you could get yourself kicked out of every public school they put you in or you could take out a loan for a million dollars to pay your own way and by the way studies have shown that most successful people don't go to those hoity toity schools.

Answer 8

Why would you want to go to those type of schools its always best to be around your family. Boarding schools are normally punishments for kids who have done something bad and i rarely hear of someone going their by choice.