The Boarding School Survival Guide (Peterson's the Boarding School Survival Guide)
"No one in the boarding school admission office chooses a photo highlighting a student frowning on rainy, cloud day as its cover shot for their viewbook. Quite the contrary, bright fall colors, robust smiles and everyone engaged is the photo sought and selected. Young Mr. Justin Muchnick has cut through the veneer so any student, parent, prospective employee, ANYONE considering life at a boarding school would be well served to peruse this manual and embrace its heartfelt message. What makes it most compelling to me, a 20-plus year veteran of the boarding school admission arena, is the fact Muchnick doesn't rely solely on his alma mater, as distinguished as in may be, but he has drawn from a cast of contributors representing a myriad of institutions: public, private, big, small, country, city etc. Quite simply, he practices what he preaches, and therefore The Boarding School Survival Guide is now a must read to all my prospective students because it does rain, clouds do materialize and, yes, frowns are seen on occasion around campus (especially around finals week during Leftover Sunday Dinner!)"—Alan D. Whittmore, Dean of Admission, Maine School of Science & Mathematics"In The Boarding School Survival Guide, Justin Muchnick has assembled contributions from more than 20 boarding school students. They're smart, diverse, witty, and helpful-just like the students I meet on my travels to boarding school campuses. The chapters cover a wide range of considerations: from the school search, application, and selection process, to life in the classroom, the dining hall, and the dorm. Whether the topic is writing papers or doing your own laundry, the student authors take time to explain and reassure, caution and encourage. Throughout, they speak with genuineness-and with genuine enthusiasm for a little-understood but amazing learning opportunity. If you're planning to attend boarding school, considering it, or simply curious, read this book."—Peter Upham, Executive Director, The Association of Boarding Schools"Attending boarding school is a big decision, and it is an exciting time. The transition period to a boarding school is a different experience for each student and parent. Careful planning can make the transition smoother. Justin's book is a very comprehensive overview of the myriad aspects of boarding school that people simply do not think about.  The Boarding School Survival Guide covers it all-A to Z.  It is a must read for any family preparing for boarding school."—Joe Hemmings, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, Hebron Academy"After working through the boarding school admission process, Phillips Academy sophomore Justin Muchnick thought students like him - students unfamiliar with boarding school who want to go to one- needed a new resource. Muchnick's not an expert. So, he turned to students and their experiences. ForThe Boarding School Survival Guide, he gathered experiences from current and recent boarding school graduates. Their stories are organized around themed chapters."—AdmissionsQuest.com"After an exhaustive process of selecting and editing the most relevant essays, the final result is a virtual boarding school bible, offering advice on every topic from money-management, to test taking, to laundry, and even how to deal with hazing. . . . with two books under his belt at only 16 years old, this kid is definitely going places."—Edie Crabtree, Under Cover, The Newport Beach Indepedent"Accepted to boarding school? Now read this."—coronadelmartoday.com