<p>The Caroline D Bradley Scholarship application is only available to 7th graders; it covers full tuition for 4 years of secondary school, including boarding schools. Suggest taking a look; the application also is a good preparation for boarding school applications next year.</p>
<p>Several 7th graders have recently posted on the chances thread about how to increase their chances when applying next year. A few suggestions:</p>
<p>1) SSATs taken in 7th grade are wiped; SSAT must be taken in the year of application. An SSAT prep book may help, especially for analogies.
2) Think about what you are really interested in, and how to develop that interest; maybe a summer program between 7th and 8th grade, or working with a teacher, musician, coach, artist, writer or scientist? The book "What high schools don't tell you" has some ideas (inexpensive on Amazon)
3) Community service can be as simple as collecting extra school supplies from your school, church, friends, and donating them to needy school. Used books, clean used coats, calculators, can all be collected and given to a needy school, church or charity.
4) consider visiting schools "unofficially", just to walk around and get a feel for a school.
5) search threads here, especially the admitted students statistics, hidden gems thread (look for the great schools beyond the names everyone recognizes), interview and application tips.</p>
<p>Lots of info and many opinions. Your big advantage is that you have time!</p>