How do I convince my mom to let me go to private school ?

Question

There is this boarding school called The Lawrenceville School, in which I was really close to getting accepted but I did not make it. I also applied to Hun school in Princeton. The thing is, I have a much better chance of getting into these really tough schools if I come from a private school. I already got accepted, and my father is fine with it, but my mother thinks that the school is pointless... I don't want to keep going to public school, it's pointless. I have been working my butt off in public school for the past three years (I just finished middle school) I got good grades, did a lot of sports, and played the piano. The only chance of going to this amazing boarding school for sophomore year is private school, but my mom does not understand this. She thinks that if I work hard enough (which I have been doing) in public school then I will get in. My father does not agree, although he needs my moms okay so that I can go. Is there any way to convince her that saving a little money and taking the easy way is just not the way to go ? By the way, my whole family wants me to go to this boarding school, its a really good school, and my mom also really wants me to go. She just does not understand that it I will be able to get in easy from this point, coming from a private school.

Answer 1

Why not take your mom out to lunch and have a heart-to-talk with her.  Just tell her everything you've said here and see how it goes.  If she is at all sympathetic to your cause, she will finally understand your point of view.  If there is something behind the scenes you don't know about, like an impending divorce for example, maybe she will tell you the truth.  Another thing is that many Americans are in financial trouble, even supposedly wealthy people.  Is it possible that your family might fall into this category?