Boarding School Admissions

The World's Best
High Schools Abroad

From Phillips Andover to Eton to Le Rosey — give your child an unfair advantage at the world's most prestigious boarding schools. Expert admissions guidance from Dr. Karan Gupta, Harvard alumnus with 27+ years of experience.

27+

Years Experience

50+

Partner Schools

100%

Placement Rate

3

Countries Covered

Why Send Your Child to a Boarding School Abroad?

The decision to send your child abroad for high school is life-changing. Here's why top Indian families choose this path.

University Advantage

Top boarding schools are feeder schools to Ivy League, Oxbridge, and elite global universities. Acceptance rates from these schools are 3-5x higher than applying from India.

Global Perspective

Living with students from 40-90 nationalities builds cultural fluency, confidence, and a lifelong international network that no Indian school can replicate.

Independence & Maturity

Boarding school builds self-reliance, time management, and emotional resilience at a formative age — skills that compound throughout life.

Academic Rigour

Smaller class sizes (8-14 students), world-class facilities, and curricula like AP/A-Levels/IB push students far beyond the Indian school ceiling.

Top Boarding Schools in United States

America's elite boarding schools offer world-class academics, unmatched extracurriculars, and a direct pipeline to Ivy League universities.

Strong STEM + liberal arts balance Unmatched extracurricular depth Direct Ivy League feeder schools Financial aid available for internationals

Phillips Academy Andover

Andover, MA

#1 US Boarding
Acceptance: 13%

Harvard feeder — 30+ admits/year

Phillips Exeter Academy

Exeter, NH

#2 US Boarding
Acceptance: 14%

Harkness discussion method, $1.3B endowment

Choate Rosemary Hall

Wallingford, CT

Top 5
Acceptance: 18%

JFK alma mater, strong arts program

Deerfield Academy

Deerfield, MA

Top 5
Acceptance: 15%

Close-knit community, 100% college placement

The Lawrenceville School

Lawrenceville, NJ

Top 10
Acceptance: 16%

Near Princeton, house system, strong STEM

St. Paul's School

Concord, NH

Top 10
Acceptance: 15%

Full boarding, chapel tradition, 2,000-acre campus

Top Boarding Schools in United Kingdom

British boarding schools are the gold standard for academic rigour, character development, and global prestige — with centuries of tradition.

A-Levels / IB curriculum options Strong Oxbridge pipeline World-renowned character development Rich sporting & arts traditions

Eton College

Windsor, Berkshire

#1 UK Boarding
Acceptance: ~20%

20 Prime Ministers, unmatched global network

Harrow School

Harrow, London

Top 3
Acceptance: ~15%

Churchill's alma mater, strong debating

Winchester College

Winchester, Hampshire

Top 3
Acceptance: ~15%

Oldest continuous school (1382), academic excellence

Rugby School

Rugby, Warwickshire

Top 10
Acceptance: ~25%

Birthplace of rugby, innovative curriculum

Westminster School

London

Top 5
Acceptance: ~10%

Highest Oxbridge rate in UK, central London

Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks, Kent

Top 5 IB
Acceptance: ~20%

First UK school to adopt IB, 99% university placement

Top Boarding Schools in Switzerland

Swiss boarding schools offer the ultimate international experience — multilingual education, stunning Alpine campuses, and a truly global student body.

Multilingual education (3-4 languages) Truly international student body IB + Swiss Matura options Unparalleled safety & quality of life

Le Rosey

Rolle & Gstaad

#1 Swiss Boarding
Acceptance: ~15%

School of Kings — royalty, billionaires, global elite

Institut auf dem Rosenberg

St. Gallen

Top 3
Acceptance: ~20%

Artisan education, future-focused curriculum

Aiglon College

Villars-sur-Ollon

Top 3
Acceptance: ~25%

British curriculum in Swiss Alps, character focus

Leysin American School

Leysin

Top 5
Acceptance: ~30%

American + IB curriculum, strong US university placements

College du Leman

Versoix, Geneva

Top 5
Acceptance: ~35%

120+ nationalities, bilingual French-English

TASIS

Lugano

Top 5
Acceptance: ~30%

American school in Italian Switzerland, arts focus

USA vs UK vs Switzerland: How Do They Compare?

Each country offers a distinct boarding school experience. Here's how they stack up.

FactorUSAUnited KingdomSwitzerland
Annual Cost (Tuition + Board)$55,000 - $75,000£35,000 - £50,000 (~$45K-$65K)CHF 80,000 - 130,000 (~$90K-$145K)
Typical Entry AgeGrade 9-10 (Age 14-16)Year 9 or Sixth Form (Age 13-16)Grade 8-12 (Age 13-18)
CurriculumAP / School-specificA-Levels, IB, GCSEsIB, Swiss Matura, AP, French Bac
LanguagesEnglish + 1 electiveEnglish-medium, modern languages3-4 languages (English, French, German, +1)
University PipelineIvy League, MIT, StanfordOxford, Cambridge, Russell GroupGlobal — Ivy, Oxbridge, European elite
Class Size10-14 students8-15 students8-12 students
International Mix15-25% international20-40% international60-90% international
Financial AidAvailable (need-based)Limited scholarshipsRare / merit-based only

Real Student Journeys

How KGC helped Indian students secure admission to the world's most exclusive boarding schools.

A

Arjun M.

Mumbai, Grade 8

USA

Placed at Phillips Academy Andover

Challenge

Arjun was a strong student at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, but his parents were unsure whether sending him abroad at 14 was the right decision. They worried about academic adjustment, social isolation, and the financial commitment.

KGC's Approach

Dr. Gupta conducted a comprehensive assessment and identified Arjun's exceptional aptitude for mathematics and debate. We built a strategic profile highlighting his national-level math olympiad achievements, started interview coaching 6 months early, and prepared a compelling application narrative around his passion for combining math with public policy.

Result

Arjun was admitted to Andover with a $35,000/year financial aid package — one of only 4 Indian students admitted that year. He went on to captain the math team and was admitted to Princeton University.

A

Ananya S.

Delhi, Grade 9

UK

Placed at Eton College (King's Scholar)

Challenge

Ananya's family wanted the prestige and rigour of a top British school, but the Eton entrance exam (King's Scholarship) is notoriously difficult, testing Latin, ancient history, and advanced maths — subjects not covered in Indian curricula.

KGC's Approach

We began preparation 18 months before the exam. Dr. Gupta connected Ananya with specialist tutors for the Eton entrance format, designed a reading list covering classical literature, and conducted 12 mock interviews simulating the Provost's interview style. We also identified her strength in classical music (sitar) as a distinctive differentiator.

Result

Ananya won a prestigious King's Scholarship — one of only 14 awarded globally that year. The scholarship covers 10% of fees, but the prestige opened doors to every top university. She is now applying to Oxford PPE.

R

Rohan & Priya K.

Bangalore, Grades 7 & 9

Switzerland

Placed at Le Rosey, Switzerland

Challenge

Siblings Rohan and Priya came from a prominent business family seeking a truly international education. Their parents wanted both children at the same school, multilingual proficiency, and a safe European environment, but Le Rosey's acceptance rate is extremely low.

KGC's Approach

We positioned the siblings' applications to complement each other rather than compete. Rohan's application emphasized his tech entrepreneurship (he'd built an app at 13), while Priya's focused on her competitive swimming and environmental activism. Dr. Gupta arranged a campus visit and prepared both for the notoriously personal Le Rosey interview.

Result

Both siblings were admitted to Le Rosey for the same academic year. They now speak fluent French alongside English and Hindi, and have built a network spanning 60+ nationalities. Rohan is targeting MIT, Priya is targeting LSE.

The KGC Boarding School Admissions Timeline

We recommend starting 18-24 months before your target entry date.

18-24 Months Before

Discovery & Assessment

  • Family consultation to understand goals
  • Student psychometric assessment
  • Academic gap analysis
  • Country & school shortlisting (6-8 schools)

12-18 Months Before

Profile Building

  • Academic tutoring for entrance exams
  • Extracurricular strategy
  • Leadership development
  • Summer program applications

9-12 Months Before

Application Prep

  • School visits (recommended)
  • Application essays & personal statements
  • Recommendation letter coaching
  • Financial aid applications

6-9 Months Before

Interview & Testing

  • Entrance exam preparation (SSAT, ISEB, etc.)
  • Mock interviews (10+ sessions)
  • Portfolio preparation (arts/sports)
  • Final application submission

3-6 Months Before

Decision & Transition

  • Offer evaluation & negotiation
  • Visa application support
  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Cultural transition coaching for student & family

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is best to send my child to boarding school abroad?
The most common entry points are Grade 9 (age 14-15) for US schools, Year 9 (age 13-14) for UK schools, and Grade 8-9 for Swiss schools. However, some families start as early as Grade 7. Dr. Gupta recommends an individual assessment — maturity, independence, and academic readiness matter more than a specific age.
Is it safe to send a 14-year-old abroad alone?
Top boarding schools have exceptional pastoral care systems — dedicated house parents, on-campus medical staff, 24/7 supervision, and strict safeguarding policies. Many Indian families find the structured boarding school environment actually provides more oversight than day schools. We also prepare families with a detailed communication and visit plan.
How much does boarding school abroad cost?
US schools range from $55,000-$75,000/year, UK schools £35,000-£50,000/year, and Swiss schools CHF 80,000-130,000/year (all-inclusive). Many US schools offer need-based financial aid — some covering up to 90% of costs. UK scholarships are competitive but available. Swiss schools rarely offer aid.
Will my child get into a better university from a boarding school?
Statistically, yes. Top boarding schools have dedicated university counsellors, established relationships with admissions officers, and significantly higher placement rates at elite universities. Phillips Andover sends 30+ students to Harvard annually. Eton's Oxbridge rate exceeds 30%. The academic rigour, extracurricular depth, and recommendation letter quality from these schools are unmatched.
What entrance exams are required?
US schools typically require the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or ISEE. UK schools have their own entrance exams (Common Entrance, school-specific papers). Swiss schools usually conduct interviews and review transcripts without standardized tests. KGC provides preparation support for all exam formats.
How does KGC help with boarding school admissions?
We provide end-to-end support: school selection based on your child's profile, academic preparation for entrance exams, application essay coaching, interview preparation (10+ mock sessions), financial aid strategy, visa support, and pre-departure transition coaching. Dr. Karan Gupta personally oversees every boarding school placement.

Ready to Explore Boarding Schools Abroad?

The best time to start planning is now. Book a consultation with Dr. Karan Gupta to discuss the right boarding school for your child.

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