It is important for parents and families to remember their part in the success of any OBI student. Experience has taught us that your attitude and actions often are the difference between success and failure.
Tell the truth. During the admissions process, we ask for many different kinds of information. Please be candid, honest and forthright with us. If we discover that important information has not been provided, particularly information about the appropriateness of the student for OBI's program, it decreases the chances of the child being admitted. Also, please do not minimize or distort your child's situation.
It is your responsibility to secure all records/information. The admissions staff at OBI will not be involved in mailing for or asking for records or other information requested during admissions. That is the responsibility of the family.
Keep us informed of changes or problems. We understand that the process of getting information together may take more time than you would wish. If you are having problems securing information, please keep us informed. Also, please tell us of any important changes in the life or situation of your student that may affect their admission to OBI.
Be Patient. The process takes time. We want your student to be enrolled at the time that is best for the student and for us. Sometimes parents want students enrolled sooner than we can enroll them. Be patient and we will work on admissions as quickly as is prudent and possible.
On campus orientation for families and students is very important. You cannot miss this and be enrolled at OBI. Special orientations and interviews are only scheduled for the most exceptional cases of international students.
When you are here for orientation, it is important that all family members and the prospective student be present for all sessions and all information. This information is vital to success at OBI.
During the interview process, we are making many important judgments and evaluations. Please be candid and honest, and help us to understand your situation and your child's needs. Some questions may be about situations where families and students disagree, and we want to hear all points of view.
During the orientation day, there is an interview of the student without any family present. During this solo interview, the student is asked if they agree to enroll at OBI. If the student absolutely refuses to enroll at OBI, we will not enroll a student against their will. This does not mean we do not enroll students with serious reservations! But absolute refusal is a problem that we feel must be worked out by the family.
Occasionally, the student/family interview alone will result in a student not being enrolled. This is rare, but does happen, and you should understand that this usually occurs when an interview with a student reveals a much different person than we were considering in the applications process.
The first few weeks of boarding school are a tough adjustment for everyone involved. Homesickness is real, and parents miss their kids more than they anticipated. We limit phone calls during the first 30 days, and this can be frustrating for everyone. Please support us in this and understand that too much phone contact with family during the early period of adjustment usually destroys any chances of actually adjusting to OBI and getting down to the business of school, new friends, new activities, etc. Students may write during this time as much as they choose, and, with permission, they may use the phone during emergencies.
Don't present OBI as a punishment, but as an opportunity. Be complimentary of your child in coming this far in a new and difficult adventure. Remind them of the rewards of accomplishment. Don't lose your temper if your child becomes ugly or frustrating over the phone. Remember your goals. Help your child understand what the real situation is and not just their frustrated feelings of the moment.
Please do send food and other packages. This helps immensely in the adjustment process.
When you do talk to or hear from your student, please be moderately skeptical of outlandish claims of mistreatment and conditions. We are not perfect, but we are not remotely similar to the way a homesick child can describe us! (The dorm houseparents will be happy to talk with you about any problems your child reports.) Be sympathetic, but don't say "If you don't feel better, I will come and get you." Instead, be supportive, but firmly committed to your child adjusting and succeeding as thousands of others have done. Encourage your child to solve problems by going to adults here, and stay with the plan for your child to be here and succeed here.
Remember that we are telling your child to do the basics: Get up on time, go to school, do their work, get a job or sport, be involved in activities, make new friends, solve problems quickly, stay out of trouble. Help us reinforce these proven goals.
We would recommend that campus visits not include friends or girl/boyfriends during the early weeks here. Again, this tends to undermine the adjustment process.
For more information, write the Dean of Students.