Applying To Schools: Is It Too Late?

By Barbara Kennedy - Director of External Affairs, Baylor School/

Question 1

Boarding school seems expensive. My parents' combined income is less than $90,000 a year. I am the oldest of three children. I have had a GPA of 3.9 through middle school and 9th grade. I play intramural soccer, had the lead in the spring musical last year, and want to be a physicist. Should I even consider going to a boarding school?

Paying for a boarding school education does require some planning, but it can be manageable, and the investment is invaluable. When considering the cost of boarding school, it is essential to know that need-based financial aid based on a family's income and assets is available at most schools. For example, last year, Baylor School awarded more than $2 million in financial aid. Other schools, including Baylor, offer other merit scholarships as well. Most schools offer monthly payment plans (administered by the school or an outside agency), allowing families to spread their tuition payments over eight to ten months.

This brief video explains how one private school's financial aid program works.

One helpful resource is the School and Student Service for Financial Aid, a service of the National Association of Independent Schools, which objectively assesses a family's ability to contribute to their child's educational costs. You can access the forms needed to apply for financial aid from their

10 Things You Must Not Forget When Applying

Applying to boarding school is an exciting journey, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail.

• Missing key steps in the application process can impact your chances of acceptance.
• Whether you're preparing essays, securing recommendations, or scheduling interviews, staying organized is essential.

As you begin the process of selecting a boarding school for your child, consider the following ten items.

1. Submit your application before the deadline.

Waiting until the last minute to apply is never a good idea.

• Ensure your child's admissions folder is completed well before the deadline.
• Admissions staff are intrinsically well-organized and detail-oriented.

They will appreciate the care and concern that you have shown in completing your child's file as soon as you can. After all, they can only begin their review process once the file is complete.

• If a school does not have a fixed admissions deadline but instead uses rolling admissions, the same rules of the road apply.
• Submit your application and all the supporting materials as soon as possible.

2. Give recommendation forms to your child's teachers early.

Don't hand the teacher recommendation forms to the teachers the week before they are due.

• That's discourteous. Don't forget to put a stamp on all the return envelopes. Teachers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
• Recommendation forms take time and care to complete.
• Give your child's teachers as much

By Shari Bunks Geller, parent of Blair Academy alumni

I survey my son's room. High school graduation is just two weeks away. College is no longer on the horizon but our next step forward. I am looking to see what he will need to take with him and what he will leave behind. Looking around his room, I am keenly aware of how our world has expanded more than we could have imagined just four years ago when we applied Michael to high school. Boarding school was consciously not on our radar when we began our high school search.

At the start of his eighth-grade year, our son said he would like to apply to boarding school. My husband and I seriously discussed boarding school as an option. We both attended good public schools growing up. We had decided against our public high school as an option for our four children and were committed to sending them to an independent day school. While neither my husband nor I came from families with a boarding school culture, we had many friends whose children attended boarding schools across the country. We have frequently cautioned that once a child visits a boarding school, all-day schools will pale in comparison. The facilities, the campus, and the notion of a different level of independence are alluring to a fourteen-year-old. Although our conversation was serious, we quickly agreed that we would not consider boarding school.

We investigated our local day schools. We toured,

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Graduating from boarding school marks a significant milestone. It represents not only academic achievement, but also years of personal growth, independence, and community living. Choosing the right gift for a boarding school graduate requires thoughtful consideration, balancing practicality with meaning.

In 2026, gift trends have evolved to reflect changing student needs, including a greater emphasis on technology, wellness, and college readiness. This guide highlights updated ideas to help families select gifts that are both useful and memorable.

What Makes a Great Boarding School Graduation Gift?

Boarding school graduates are typically preparing for college or other next steps that require independence and adaptability. The most appreciated gifts tend to fall into three categories:

• Practical items for daily living
• Tools for academic and professional success
• Personal keepsakes with long-term meaning

Because these students have already experienced residential life, they often value gifts that support their transition rather than novelty items.

For a broader perspective on how boarding schools prepare students for independence, see https://www.boardingschoolreview.com/blog/preparing-students-for-college-at-boarding-schools

Practical Gifts for College and Independent Living

Dorm and Living Essentials

Even though boarding school graduates are familiar with dorm life, college living presents new challenges. Practical upgrades are often appreciated.

Consider:

• High-quality bedding or mattress toppers
• Durable laundry bags or organizers
• Compact storage solutions

Students entering college often face smaller living spaces, making organization-focused gifts especially useful.

Travel and Mobility Items

Boarding school students are typically accustomed to traveling between home and campus. For graduates,