Hi, I’ll be applying next year (2023) to some boarding schools! I have a few questions as an international student, and would like some open advice. Here’s a few things to know about me:
I am a current 8th grader, going on 9th in Fall 2022.
I found out about boarding schools too late, so I can’t apply this year.
I am in an international school that follows IGCSEs and the IB program.
I am born in January, so I am not considered “young” for my grade.
With that being said, here are my questions.
As an international student who has never experienced the US curriculum, would it be easier to adjust if I applied for repeat 9th?
Does repeating 9th boost your acceptance chances compared to 10th? I heard some people do that to increase your chances, but there again, would they really want to accept people who are too old for their grade?
Will graduating one year later affect anything in the future (College applications, other opportunities etc.)?
There is no reason to automatically assume you need to repeat.
Most schools have fewer openings at 10th but also fewer applicants. Most add to the class at 10th.
If you like the IB program, you might like George School (in PA). They would not expect you to repeat.
Many students choose to repeat in order to have the full 4 year experience, to strength their academics or athletics, to improve their English (if it’s not the first language) or to be the same age as their peers. It’s an individual choice.
Boarding schools definitely won’t be deterred by you being a little older if you repeat and there is zero disadvantage for college admissions, so don’t worry about either of those things.
Many people do choose to repeat. Schools vary in how hard 10th grade admissions is compared to 9th, so as you start the school research & application process you can ask about this at each school to help you decide which grade to apply for. You’ll also be able to look at the 9th & 10th grade curriculums at each school and consider how your current school’s 9th grade curriculum will line up. You may find it makes sense to apply for 9th at some schools while applying for 10th at others, and that’s totally fine.
Finances can be the biggest downside to repeating for many students. Talk with your parents about whether an extra year of boarding school tuition will impact the funds available for college or other family expenses.
I personally think BS is set up to be a 4 year experience. It is harder to enter as a 10th grader. It is harder academically and socially. Yes of course people have kids who entered in 10th and were just fine but it’s still easier to enter in 9th.
My kids are both mid school year birthdays and both were young for their BS graduating class with many kids being a full year older and some kids being almost 2 years older. Depending on the school a solid 1/3 of the class might be repeats.
I’d speak to the AOs at each school you are considering and discuss with them. It’s really up to you with positives and negatives depending on your personal situation.