Advice for Future Appllicants

<p>Hi CCers, this is my very first thread so please do forgive me if I make some mistakes. I haven't posted alot on this website, but have actually read many threads. And so I thought that it would be helpful for future applicants, or even those that are reapplying to get my opinion on this whole application process. So here it goes!</p>

<p>I first started this boarding school application process pretty late. I started the last week of August in 2010 and only limited myself to the HADES schools plus Choate. I had no idea what I was doing, but I attended all the receptions they held nearby, took the TOEFL and SSAT, interviews, etc. I was pretty lucky at the end and got accepted to my first choice school Deerfield Academy. And all my predictions held true. I got waitlisted to the schools I thought I would, rejected to the schools I thought I would, and accepted to the one I thought I would as well. My SSAT score was mediocre, not the best or the worst with an overall percentile of 90. My essays were also mediocre too and so I came to my conclusion/theory. SSAT scores, essays, and extracurricular activities are important, but I think the three main things that get you into a school:</p>

<p>1) is showing a strong passion for anything
2) being well rounded overall (with one or a few outstanding extracurricular activities)
3) having a GOOD, PERSONAL relationship with your interviewer</p>

<p>I know that many will disagree with my conclusion, but I truly think that interviews is a time where you can really prove yourself in front of a person. Not on your resume, or with a few high numbers. And I think I did a decent job of showing my passion in front of my Deerfield interviewer. So that's my conclusion on boarding school applications. </p>

<p>Thanks for your time CCers, I know this was a long thread. I appreciate the help you guys have given me throughout this whole application process, and my acceptance is because of the help that I have gotten through the many threads you guys have posted, and help from family and friends.</p>

<p>I do agree with showing your passion. It tends to help. fir example, my passion is German and since I am a CLVer, I wrote my essays on this passion. I was able to focus better and I think it helped me get into Hogwarts.</p>

<p>Good post and I agree with most, although 90 overall on the SSAT is by no means “mediocre.”</p>

<p>I agree with your conclusions. I’m still wondering what pushed me to acceptance because I really don’t have any awards or a lot of special ECs. I think I had a good relationship with my admissions officers though and played up my interest in learning Mandarin (And the fact that I am adopted so it would bring me closer to my roots). <= that also showed I didn’t have the “typical” Asian background that I guess could count against me.</p>

<p>You made no mistakes and give sound advice. Congratulations on Deerfield!</p>

<p>I think - the truth of the matter is - that the applicant pool changes every year and has - to some extent - become almost a lottery. A student who is turned down in one year may be at the top of the list in a different year. </p>

<p>So the real truth and power of your message is to try again. Yes - it takes energy and Yes - it is really hard the second time again to face March 10th no knowing if the outcome will be better.</p>

<p>But isn’t that what leaders are? People who didn’t quit and didn’t give up in the face of uncertainty!</p>

<p>You’re a hero, kiddo! You deserve your victory prize.</p>

<p>Can you explain “having a good, personal relationship with your interviewer”?</p>

<p>I’m only in 7th grade, and will be applying to a couple schools this fall, so I’m not sure about this whole process. I know there are interviews involved, but do you have more contact with the admissions officers(I’m assuming that is who does the interviews?) than just a single 30 to 45 minute interview? How can you establish a good relationship with them from just one interview? Do you actually speak to them before and/or after the interview as well? I guess I just assumed I filled out the inquiry form, completed my essays and application, had my references sent in, then called to schedule and interview, showed up for the interview, then waited for results in March. Is there supposed to be more communication with the admission officer, other than that one interview?
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I’ved heard others mention having a good relationship with their admission officers too, and I wasn’t sure how to go about doing that. Thanks.</p>

<p>I know it can sound confusing. I think that they mean that you find some common ground and open up with the interviewer. At some schools, the interview is really stiff, and you can’t be yourself. At all the schools I applied to, I was polite and myself. When you put yourself in that “vulnerable” spot, the interviewers want to see who you are and what you’re like. They won’t accept you unless you fit in their school.</p>

<p>Hey sorry I didn’t explain earlier, but basically what that means is to treat the interviewer as if she/he was your closest friend. Get to know them and don’t just blab about your accomplishments but try to make the interview as if it were a conversation, not a question and answer sort of format. Luckily for me, I met my interviewer at one of the conventions/receptions they held nearby where I lived. I got to know them there, and met them again at the school. Throughout the whole admissions process, I consistently emailed them and I still am. Even though we only met twice, I feel as if there is a strong bond between us. I’m sorry if this doesn’t make any sense, but the overall point is to stand out not only on the paper, or resume, or through the various awards, but to stand out with your interview. </p>

<p>Never dread your interviews, its your time to distinguish yourself from the other thousands of applicants. Also, your interviewer can maybe even be the head of the school, or someone who works in the admissions office. If you have a personal relationship with your interviewer, they are the ones who are going to be fighting for you in that admissions table, or wherever the admissions committee meets to decide on who gets accepted. They have a stronger say than any admissions members because they got to talk to you personally. Hope that helped!</p>

<p>By the way, if any former applicants have any opinions, feel free to say them on this thread. This thread is not just for me to go on and on about my own tips and advices. This is welcome to all people who want to give advice out to those applying in the future. I know if I had this kind of thread while I was applying I would have appreciated it. Feel free to give your own pieces of advice but please do not rant on other people’s opinions. Thanks :D</p>

<p>Thanks, for starting this thread, for people like me it is very helpful.<br>
When you said you emailed the person who interviewed you throughout the admissions process…did you just email them to ask general questions about the school or specific questions that involved the admissions process - like, “I’m just checking with you to make sure all my references have been received”…that type of thing? I can see where that would be a benefit to try to keep in touch with them some.</p>

<p>The emails that were sent by me were a mix of all sorts of topics. Some were thank you letters, and after I was admitted a grateful letter to my interviewer. During the admissions process, I emailed some specific questions that showed my interest in the school about their curriculum but also I emailed little things like “I just sent in my application”, and to keep in touch I usually ended my mail with a small question to keep the conversation going. Don’t be afraid if they don’t reply because think about the many people they have to interview and be glad if you actually do get to stay in touch with them.</p>

<p>Ok, thanks, this really helps a lot.</p>

<p>No problem and you can PM me if you have any questions too! Good luck with the crazy admissions process. It’s tiring, but at the end it pays off.</p>

<p>I am going to disagree with some of your points, although I think it is def great advice. Well not disagree but tweek if you do not mind. </p>

<p>Regarding the interviewer- Make an impression and ask legitimate questions, but I do not recommend adding small questions to keep the conversation going through emails. Just think these people are generally swamped with emails and busy enough, during your interview just make an impression a positive one, not an arrogant one.Most of mine were done through alumni except Choate, and believe it or not I was the one informing them I got in. For instance for my interviewers at the schools at the school I was admitted to(Exeter, Andover, and Choate) I think I emailed them twice. One thanking them after the interview for alloting valuable time and second time to double check all my stuff got in(I kind of handed my material a little after 1/15 at some schools. I strongly do not recommend this to ANY applicants). Just wow them at your interview, if you did a good job, trust me they will defiantely remember you and fight for you, you do not want to risk annoying them IMO. </p>

<p>2) To build off what ExieAlum said(I will be attending her alma mater), admissions in a sense is a real crapshoot. The students that are always admitted first at any school are the genuine hooks such as athletes or musicians, BUT the key is no matter how talented how you are the school must need a certain athlete or a certain musician so it changes year by year. </p>

<p>I do agree though that being well rounded is a must, as since genuine hooks are few in number and a majority of admissions is probably chosen from all the other applicants. I also agree that showing passion is a key bc it shows your motivation. Again my theories in admissions are just my own thoughts on how things are run from what I picked up on this site and talking with admission officers.</p>

<p>I wish all future applicants the best of luck in their future endeavers and to never give up on the fear of being rejected, because pain makes us stronger. As FDR, a prep school alum, once said, " There is nothing to fear but fear itself."</p>

<p>I was accepted to DA as well! Class of 2015!!! Are you entering as a freshmen as well?
I agree with what has been stated about the admissions process. It is in fact a “crapshoot” and I would suggest that if you don’t make it the first time…just try 10X harder the second time and see what you can improve on. Go over essays with teachers… try a new EC. MAKE THE BEST OF ANOTHER YEAR AT HOME. Best of luck and I would be happy to answer any questions about DA when school starts! If I have time of course… <em>doubt it</em> but I’ll try! CC definitely helped to get me through the admissions process because everyone knows what you’re going through.</p>

<p>Yes! I am entering as a freshmen. Thanks for adding some of your guys’ own experiences and tips. I’m not perfect, and that was my opinion on the whole admissions cycle. Good luck to all next year!</p>