Advice on the Admissions Process

<p>The admissions process for boarding schools was one of the most difficult things I've had to do on my own. It's, in a way, scary too. It feels as though your future rides on it. Here's a little piece of advice: don't stress over it too much! I know this is much easier said than done, but it is true. If you stress yourself out, you preform poorly. The sad truth is that, most likely, you will be rejected from at least 1 school. Do not go into the process thinking because you have a great recommendation or straight A's, you will get into your dream school. I told myself this during the process last year, which only made rejection from the only school I applied to much harder than it had to be. Of course I believed I deserved to get in, in fact, I probably did. I handled everything, from the application itself to renting cars during interviews. I did deserve to get in, as well as all the rejected applicants that wanted to get in with the same drive as me. Looking back at my essays, I'm horrified at how bad they are. It was because I was so stressed out about making them good, they were bad. </p>

<p>Some Key Points of Applying:
1. Do not change who you are for a school to like you. They see straight through it and then you won't be going to the right school.
2. Take your time on the applications. There is no rush!
3. Apply to as many schools as you like and that you financially can afford.
4. Do not stress.
5. Love the school that loves you - this is very important. March 10th is a scary and intimidating date. But, I didn't get into Middlesex, which at the time, was my dream school. I couldn't see myself anywhere else. Then, I got rejected. I applied as a late applicant to another school, got accepted, and took a risk. I am a current student at Saint James School in Maryland, and would not trade it for anything. I love it there.
6. Do not read into interviews or what the AO's say to you. They say it to nearly everyone.
7. Be yourself during your interviews.</p>

<p>Good luck with your applications! Be positive but realistic!</p>

<p>Great post, @ccnaf14.
I’m glad that things worked out so well for you… You clearly ended up where you were supposed to be.
I hope that the current applicants take your advice to heart.</p>