<p>Hi! Well I'm applying for boarding school and I really need some help applying espeacially since I've never do e it before. My top picks are
1.hotchkiss
2.mercerberg academy
3. Milton academy
4. Concord academy
5.choate rosmary hall
6.madiera </p>
<p>I was wondering what can I do to make myself stand out in applications? Also when should I scheduale my ssat, interview, and set up my financial aid? Also while I had straight A's sixth and 8th grade, my seventh grade year I had a B+ average if I get good Grades 9th grade and a good score on my ssat would that still be a problem.
Btw my hobbies are
Field hockey vollyball and lacrosse
I have done multiple plays
I was in best buddies
I have done choir
And once I get to highschool I plan on doing
Debate team
Dance
And creative writing</p>
<p>Dinniahb: Here is a thread I started 2 years ago after our family had gone through the process with my older daughter, who will be a junior (sigh…) at St. Andrew’s in Delaware in the fall.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1174214-one-family-s-bs-search-application-process-start-finish.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1174214-one-family-s-bs-search-application-process-start-finish.html</a></p>
<p>I tried to be as detailed as possible in that about the various steps of researching, visiting, applying to, and matriculating to boarding school.</p>
<p>One piece of advice that I’ll give you is that, even though your list has concord, madeira and mercersburg on it (which are slightly less selective than the others on your list), is not to get overconfident about admission. IT IS MUCH HARDER THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE…as just one example, my daughter had a near perfect SSAT (one question wrong) with commensurate grades and fairly good ECs, and was flat out rejected by Choate.</p>
<p>1) call the schools and find out when interview schedules are open. If you want a Saturday in the fall they are usually gone in one day.
2) Start studying for SSAT over the summer, schedule one test in October with a back up later in the fall
3) The applications should be going up in late summer, but poke around on the web sites and see if you can find last year’s application to get an idea what it asks for
4) Write up a summary of your interests and achievements (helps with applications and giving to your English and math teachers and your guidance counselor in late October when you request letters of recommendation
5) A range of schools is good</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Well, visiting Concord A. and Choate should give you a good idea of just how different two BS communities can feel! Again, truly outstanding arts program at Choate, but did you read the online descriptions of the arts/teachers at CA? Pretty impressive, imho.</p>
<p>If you’re considering M’burg, would you want to consider a "peer"ish Lawrenceville? Kirby Arts Center.</p>
<p>A grad recently told me that, at L’ville, it was easy to get into your “niche activity” and to get separated from the “whole”. A while back, she said, teachers directed kids to their highest performance in the niche, less mindful of what else (a lot) that the student had to attend to. As a kid, you lost track of the “other corners” of campus. This coming from a woman who is now a (day school) teacher. fwiw</p>
<p>2prepMom’s list is pretty comprehensive … I’d recommend doing everything on it.</p>
<p>If the teachers writing your recommendations don’t normally write recommendations for boarding schools, you might want to talk with them for a few minutes about why you want to go to boarding school, instead of just handing them the form.</p>
<p>Try to schedule your interviews so as to disrupt your current year as little as possible.</p>
<p>It sounds as if you’ll be in 9th grade this year. Are you applying as a repeat 9th grader in boarding school or as a 10th grader? Depending on the school, 10th grade admission can be more competitive. For example, at Concord this year it was almost twice as competitive as 9th grade. </p>
<p>From what you’ve written, it sounds as if you’re a good fit for Concord (the only one on your list with which I’m familiar). You don’t need all As to get admitted but it will certainly help to do the best you can this fall.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, having a B+ average will be a problem for Hotchkiss and Choate (the only 2 I am entirely familiar with). Really nail your SSAT’s. That is the main thing that schools can use to compare you to other applicants. (there is grade inflation and other differences between applicants) Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Be yourself at interviews. Don’t be afraid that you might not be super prepared or put together, because if you are pretending to be someone you’re not- they’ll see that. The schools essentially want students that want to do something with their life, make a difference. In order to do that, you have to be comfortable in your own skin no matter what. Try to show schools who you are, and let your confidence shine through.</p>
<p>Most interviews are more like conversations, so just answer the questions, but keep the conversation flowing.</p>
<p>Smile, laugh, and relax. :)</p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Writing a good essay is really important because some of the schools you mentioned above are schools that have a strong focus on English. Don’t be fake, the admission office can tell. This doesn’t mean that you should tell a school that they aren’t your first choice but it means don’t kiss up to the school. Make sure during your interview you ask a lot of questions to show your interested! You should join more ECs (I was in a lot, but not just because of the BS applications). Also become captain or manager of something to show that you’re a leader.</p>