The Foreign Service Journal, December 2007

86 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT • Narrow down the list of “possi- bles” by reviewing school Web sites and making campus visits. Home leave or R&R may be the best time to visit a campus, both because no allowance funds are available for this purpose and because you may have to return for an interview if you decide to apply. • Carry your school reports and any test scores you may have with you on a school visit and ask for an honest appraisal of whether that school would be a good fit. They will usually be very candid. It is not in the best interest of the school to wade through stacks of applications from students who will only be rejected. The right fit is very important to schools as well as families. • Talk with teachers and students and, if possible, visit dorms, class- rooms and sports facilities and eat in the dining hall. The Admissions Test Many competitive schools require admissions test results and other eval- uations. • The Secondary Schools Admis- sions Test is a standardized test much like the college entrance examina- tions. A student should sit for the SSAT in the summer or fall before he or she wishes to begin boarding school. Bear in mind that this exam is not given everywhere overseas. Do your research and plan ahead. • A student with even mild learn- Continued on page 88 Boarding school experiences can provide a great education, lasting friendships and deep roots in an institution. Continued from page 83