From boarding school to top university

Academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership traits and a well-rounded personal profileity are major considerations for leading universities. Students enrolled in reputed US boarding schools multiply their chances of admission to a top university – automatically and quite overwhelmingly.

Rigorous academics

Many American boarding schools offer challenging curricula including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which prepare students for the intellectual challenges and demands of university-level work. This rigorous academic focus alongside the personalised attention they receive helps students achieve strong grades and fare well on standardised test scores, both of which are essential for admission to competitive universities.

Concurrently, while considering student applications, top universities tend to view boarding schools favourably for their academic standing, strong legacy, and diversity of extracurricular involvements.

Smaller classes

Although not an obvious factor for academic excellence leading to university enrolment, the smaller class sizes of US boarding schools benefits all students. The smaller student-teacher ratio allows instructors to tailor their teaching to each student’s unique needs, and address their strengths and weaknesses. Small classes also foster collaborative learning when students are encouraged to ask questions, participate in discussions, think critically, and develop strong communication skills.

Having teachers who are more accessible and available helps every student get more out of lessons, especially complex subjects, and builds up their levels of motivation and confidence. The close attention also encourages them to try out new things and reach greater heights.

Extracurricular activities

A great advantage of attending boarding school in the US is the time and opportunities built in for co-curricular activities, whether it is fine-tuning hobbies and passions or pursuing new interests. The range covers nature, arts, sports, STEM, leadership and community service, and activities are often boosted with excursions and field trips, as well as connections with inspirational speakers and industry leaders.

Universities are interested in students who are not only academically talented but have unique talents and skills, demonstrate strong character, and have the potential to contribute positively to society. A strong extracurricular record can make a university application stand out.

Immersive culture

American boarding schools typically require more of their students and prepare them better for university. Most have a holistic approach to learning, aiming to develop both academic and personal growth through hands-on opportunities and experiences. This immersive approach promotes academic excellence while simultaneously developing essential life skills such as independence, resilience, self-discipline and time management, which can smooth any student’s transition to university. A boarding school student also draws continuous inspiration and initiative from peers to prepare for university life.

Professional guidance

Almost all US boarding schools have experienced career or education counsellors on board, who guide students through the entire university application process – selecting the best universities, writing strong essays, developing interview skills, and navigating the process to fruition. This focussed approach also includes test preparation sessions, interview coaching and campus visits to ensure that every student approaches their university applications with ease and confidence.

Personality development

A distinct feature of American boarding school education is the recognition that every student is unique, and has a distinct personality. These institutions are not bound by a national curriculum and design their own courses, and faculty members normally hold advanced degrees. Students gain much from this enriched learning environment, while the structured freedom of the campus propels them to nurture talents, develop skills, and build a well-rounded personality.

The university admission process is easier for students who are able to showcase their unique personality in essays and interviews. Some Ivy League institutions may also view boarding school attendance as a sign of a student’s preparedness for the challenges of university.

Global perspectives

Living and learning alongside motivated peers from around the world, boarding school students are exposed to different cultures, international perspectives, and universal problems. US boarding schools typically integrate world history, international relations and foreign languages in their curricula, allowing students to explore the global context of issues like economics, politics, and the environment. Living and studying in this environment prepares them for more diversity in university.

In a competitive applicant pool, reputed universities see strong interpersonal skills as a vastly desirable quality. Admissions officers value student applicants who demonstrate cultural awareness and open-mindedness.

Networking prospects

Boarding school faculty have extensive international networks, and can write personal letters of recommendation that highlight a student’s distinct abilities. US boarding schools also have well-established alumni networks that serve students as valuable resources for mentorship, career advice, and academic or professional networking. These connections can reinforce a student’s application, especially at leading universities.

Studying at boarding school in America and then attending college in the country creates stronger connections, networking relationships, and future job opportunities than elsewhere.

- Presented by Singapore-based Sesameed Education, in partnership with Gulf News, American Boarding Schools Fair - 2024 will be held on November 10 at Windsor Ballroom, Grosvenor Hotel, Dubai. It is tailored for parents of students in grades 7-10.