For most students, winter break is a time for relaxing, chilling (excuse the pun), and spending time with family. However, the more ambitious minded individuals choose to enter into another round of college applications, this time, for private schools. Some may ask, why would people place that extra burden on themselves for more expensive schools? Why would anyone want to live (for most applicants) outside the safe haven of California weather? It all sounds like something that only appeals to an exclusive group of prestigious students, but for others outside of the stereotypical “AP bubble”, is it really worth it?
At face value, applying to private schools sounds like such a pain. Most involve letters of recommendation, additional essays, and even interviews. Most are due at the beginning of January, requiring applicants to spend much of their break on applications. And according to many, most are expensive and too much of a reach.
However, simply applying is rewarding. Teachers and counselors have always encouraged students to research different schools and keep options open, both key elements in the private application process. Many schools, notably the University of Chicago, have interesting, insightful essay topics. Even glancing over similar prompts stimulates a writer’s creativity.
Another advantage is the student faculty ratio. Some private colleges boast ratios as low as 1:3, while public schools hold classes with hundreds of students in one room. Student to faculty interaction plays a more important role later on, when graduate school and business factors come in to play.
As public school tuition rises, paying for a private college is increasingly less out of reach. With large endowments and generous financial aid, private schools may, in many cases, cost less than publics. Students tend to worry about the lack of qualification for both need and merit based aid, but those issues are usually taken care of by their school of choice.
When high school students think of private colleges, they imagine Ivy Leagues and single-digit ranked schools on infamous news reports. With a bit of research, the average student can find private schools all around the cities and environments they see themselves living in. Surprisingly, these schools are numerous and within reach. Suddenly, the obscure “dream” school mentality becomes a reality.
