Applying as junior.. help?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
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<p>Hey everyone. Any advice would help-- ive been looking for someone to give me some perspective on the boarding schools im looking at. i've done research, but i was wondering if im reaching too high, or at least what others more knowledgeable on boarding schools think my chances would be.
I read D'yer Maker's post, and so im going to try to be as vague as possible, and just give you the general idea.</p>

<p>So first of all, im a current sophmore applying to be a junior, which i expect will definitely make things harder.</p>

<p>-I go to academically tough private school, with all A's and B's. im not happy at my current school, and i KNOW i want to try boarding school before i graduate. i think i take tough classes though.. im already in trig/statistics as a sophmore and take 2 languages (nearly fluent in one of them though). </p>

<p>-I do a lot of community service weekly, and did a month long community service trip to rural India over the summer. also very involved with school clubs... leader of a couple of them.</p>

<p>-Done dance for 6 yrs (I stopped last yr, so i can not somehow randomly mention that.)</p>

<p>-Very interested in chorus and singing, and have been selected to participate in 4 of youth choirs.. (ex. is All-State, if anyones heard of that?). Ive been taking chorus/voice for 5 yrs</p>

<p>-REALLY intense tennis player. weekend tournament player, #1 varsity singles as freshman & 20-1 record.. but im worried that tennis won't help me as much as i'd like it to.</p>

<p>so-- what are my chances at schools like: Exeter, Taft, Lville, Peddie, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Middlesex ?</p>

<p>and also- will i be able to keep up tennis at b/s? (not to the same extreme, but to a certain extent?)</p>

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<p>oh yeah, and i DONT need FA.
thanks! =]</p>

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<p>Given that your stats (including test scores) are competitive with the middle 50% of accepted applicants where you are going, your chances depend directly upon your recruitability as a tennis player, from your posting.</p>

<p>I'd start by researching the target schools (you might want to expand your list) to find the schools that frequently are at the top of their league standings. I would guess that these schools' coaches probably have more leverage to get in players than the also-rans. If you were an incoming freshman, I'd recommend looking for schools that want to build a team around you, but since you are coming in "seasoned", that won't be the case.</p>

<p>If you have a reputable coach, s/he can also do some inquiry as well, which can help your credibility with the schools.</p>

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<p>It seems that your combination of tennis, music, and not needing aid makes you a strong candidate. Have you taken the PSAT yet? I think that's what the schools require (maybe the SAT?) but you could check on the websites. While there are certainly no guarantees, you won't know until you apply. I would simply call the schools and ask. Perhaps send an email to director of admissions similar to your post here. Plead ignorance of upper classmen availability. </p>

<p>Why are you not happy at your current school? I only ask because I wonder how BS would make it any different. I know that my children crave the intellectual stimulation offered at BS that is unavailable at our local options and they like the idea of living with their friends and teachers.....the whole "commmunity of scholars" kind of thing.</p>

<p>Oh, and I've heard some on this board say that schools encourage everyone to apply to get the fee. I doubt that is true. The fee probably just covers the cost of production and postage of the admissions materials! If they encourage unqualified people to apply, it's more likely to make their acceptance rates lower and increase the "prestige" of getting in.</p>

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<p>thanks SO much. thats exactly the type of advice i needed. </p>

<p>i can't exactly tell my school tennis coach because she is NOT going to be happy when she finds out im applying to boarding school, let alone help me with recruiting. </p>

<p>Also, what do you mean "plead ignorance of upper classmen availability"? Would that really help? And I live in Oregon. Would that help me with diversity, or are they really just looking for international applicants? </p>

<p>If I were to continue dance at BS, is ballet or tap an option? </p>

<p>I forgot to add that I play volleyball as well.</p>

<p>I still don't have a certain school i'd like to apply to. It's going to be hard getting to interviews, though, because I've got to go across the country.</p>

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<p>Check out St. Paul's for dance (and everything else as well!) There's a thread devoted to the school just a little ways down the line. </p>

<p>What I meant about pleading ignorance is, just call and ask if they even accept juniors. You can follow up by asking how many slots and how many applications they generally receive.</p>

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<p>St. Paul's has very few Jr. Openings - basically only from students that don't return. Doesn't mean you can't apply, or that you can't consider repeating 10th grade, but they in general, do not "save room" for 11th grade openings.</p>

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<p>As to the coach, she will be in a long list of people whose help you will need to get into a good boarding school. You will need (on your application) evaluations from several teachers/counselors at your school. </p>

<p>While your coach may not be happy to lose her star player, if you let her know the issue isn't her or the team, but the boarding experience that is driving this, she, as a professional, should be happy to help you use your sport to advance your dreams.</p>