Hey CC,
It’s been a while, but I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how I got to boarding school and decided to write a little something for everybody who’s going through the application process right now.
Right about now is when some of you have finished the SSAT’s and are focusing on interviews or essays. Or maybe your SSAT didn’t go the way you expected and you’re studying hard for the November test date. Or maybe you didn’t even take the October SSAT and you’re getting ready to ace the November one. For some of you, it’ll take all the way until the January SSAT to get the score you want. Some of you may already be done right now.
But all of you have several things in common right now. You’re trying to balance friendships, schoolwork, grades, essays, most likely SSAT prep, and tracking down your teachers and guidance counselors for recommendation letters.
No longer do you have the extent of freedom that your friends do. Every single waking moment, that January 15 deadline gets seemingly closer. Your next four years depend on it.
But don’t stress yourself out. Don’t pull all-nighters. Having been through the application process two times, I can personally attest that the best strategy is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the last year of middle school.
My personal recommendations and experience with the application cycle helped me form this guide below. You can approach it however you want, but I’m just writing what worked for me.
Grades - do exemplary work but budget your time wisely. It’s also good practice for high school and beyond.
Friendships - DON’T push your friends away because you’re going to “go away to another school” and you “don’t want to have painful goodbye’s”. DO hang out with them, make memories with them, and make smart decisions.
Applications - DON’T put off your application until the last minute. DO get a head start on your essays.
SSAT’s - DON’T stress over it too much. It’s just one part of your application. Remember that the school is interested in who YOU are and what YOU could contribute to the school, not just numbers and percentages. But DO study and prepare for it. Take some practice SSAT questions.
Good Luck!
Love,
AS2