applying for 11th grade and chances

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>I just wanted to know how hard it is to apply to a prep school for 11th grade and if anyone has been accepted when they applied for that grade. If you were accepted to a prep school for 11th grade what were your stats. I know it will be tough and competitive but I really want to go.</p>

<p>Schools I 'm thinking about attending are Cate, Hotchkiss, Thacher, Webb, Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Choate, Cushing, Milton, Tufts, and St. Pauls or any other ones</p>

<p>Also I was thinking about the Advanced Academy of Georgia but that school is no problem since it is only for 11th and 12th graders and younger (only if their smart enough) but I haven't seen anyone discuss this school. I think it's a pretty good school since you get to complete 2 years of high school and 2 years of college.</p>

<p>Also what are my chances of getting in any of the schools</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Gender: Female</p>

<p>Rank: 1/530</p>

<p>I have a lot of EC's, sport, and awards, including but not limited to art, painting, poetry(published poet), photography(published), video club(slick rock festival), student gov't, school, newspaper/journalism 2, tennis(coaches award), track and field, swimming, gymnastics, cross country, play clarinet and guitar, made TKMEA honor choir twice, school and church choir, 2 school musicals, volunteer for hospital, library and habitat for humanity, community service, model UN and key club, principals award twice, DARE essay award, geography award, People to People, GATE, Activities Commisioner at school, English and math award at my school, Honor roll every year, tutoring, lifeguard</p>

<p>Freshman classes</p>

<p>Spanish 1
Algebra 2 (H)
Chemistry
English 1(H)
PE integrated
health/college/careers</p>

<p>Sophomore</p>

<p>Spanish 2 (at college)
art (at college)
weight lifting (pre-first)
biology
journalism 2
womens choir
U.S History (H)
English 2(H)
Pre-Cal</p>

<p>I haven't taken the SSAT yet but I'm prepping for it</p>

<p>I will be applying for financial aid and was born in Iran and lived their for five years and then lived in Turkey for 3 years and then moved to CA. I am fluent in three languages, Farsi, Turkish, and English. </p>

<p>Does my background help my chances of getting in? Are there many or any Iranians at any of these schools?</p>

<p>My essay question for Andover or other schools will be about my experiences
moving to America and living without my father for seven years and being forced to grow up since my mother couldn't speak english. My sister and I had to talk for her and I had to fill out checks and help her pay the bills. </p>

<p>What do you think are my chances of getting in or what are my reach, match, or safety school?</p>

<p>Sorry for my terrible writing and for the long post.</p>

2

<p>where in CA do you live? near thacher/cate?</p>

<p>you look good, but 11th is super tough. one think i noticed -- the ec's. you need to narrow it down. which of those ec's DEFINE you? for me it's the study of educational opportunity and the activism concerning it, horseback riding, yoga, art, writing, and philosophy. these are my big interests.</p>

<p>i got into exeter as an 11th grader but am too tired to talk about my stats.</p>

<p>one tip: they already have the kids whose apps look like college apps. they have more than they need. they're looking for those stats on top of something special. you need to have something that sets you apart.. if your moving experiences (i have a similar experience) have shaped you, then that might be it.</p>

3

<p>I live in visalia which is an hour away from fresno and I think I am closer to Cate. Also thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it. </p>

<p>For my EC's I just put everything I could think of but my main ones are tennis, photography, writing, reading, science, and community service. Thanks for the advice, I will narrow it down.</p>

<p>And my moving experience is a big part of my life and it did shape me into the peson I am today but I just hope that it would be good enough for them.</p>

<p>Where in California do you live?</p>

4

<p>i live within a few miles of cate and thacher.</p>

<p>improve your tennis game (become recruit-able, although i doubt they recruit girls for tennis), continue your photography and writing talents so that you have a portfolio, and only do community service which means something to you. for reading and science -- these don't exactly count as ec's (neither does philosophy or my educational research, i guess, but it came through in my interviews.. can't really list it unless, say, you're a lab rat or you're a huge bibliophile who collects obscure antique books or something)</p>

5

<p>you seem like exeter/andover material.. your stats are much like mine (moving, interests, gpa, california female.. although you have an advantage over me.. your languages and ethnicity) almost alarmingly so..and of others who were accepted at either school. umm... make sure your essay reflect everything that is unique about yourself.. show it, don't say it. keep it short and sweet. </p>

<p>in your interviews, just be yourself, be personable, and be open about why you want to go to their school.. i'm still excited to go, and during the interviews i just went on and on about how i would love to take the interesting classes and live within a community of so many different people. (i'm so excited owieudhkqwefhqwkefjwbkfjhasj!!).. i was very open with the interviewers, and it think my enthusiasm and sociability was obvious to them.</p>

<p>just don't try too hard. #1 worst thing you can do is not represent yourself clearly.</p>

6

<p>Thenk you so much...you have no idea how happy you have made me. Exeter and Andover are the schools I really want to go to but after reading everyones stats I thought I had no chance but I'm trying to stay positive. And I am really happy for you. CONGRATULATIONS!!! What other schools were you accepted to?</p>

7

<p>Also I dont think i have an advantage over you because I read your stats on a thread you posted and it just really showed how passionate you are and how you are good at everyhting you do. I think that that is one of the main things they look for in a applicant. It seemed as if you could succeed at anything you tried. And thank you for all your feedback and advice. You have helped me immensely.</p>

8

<p>I'm not very familiar with the CA schools, so I don't know how competitive they are. All the other schools on your list except Cushing are a reach for everyone. I saw that Tufts is on your list, and you probably know that is not a secondary school. If you have your heart set on boarding school, you should find a few more match & safety schools. Your background is very impressive, and I think your immigration story will be of strong interest to Admissions. However, you are applying for 11th grade and looking for financial aid which makes acceptance even more competitive.</p>

<p>I'm assuming that you are a US citizen now. If not, you might investigate how this could affect your chances. I don't know, but I think it might.</p>

9

<p>Did you Taft?</p>

10

<p>Are you going to be in 11th grade this year? So will you be repeating 11th grade if you are accepted into boarding school?</p>

<p>Just a few comments -- make sure the essays don't have any whining, complaining or "poor me" parts. Not that I think they will -- but I wanted to let you know that admissions don't like that . They do like personal journey, how this experience has shaped me, what challenges have I overcome, etc. Also -- make sure that the essay is a reflection of you, personally and not your whole family or your mother, etc. They don't really want a historical narrative -- but a personal essay. I think you could really shine in this area -- especially if you can relate your past experiences with the ECs you participate in.</p>

<p>One thing that I notice about your classes -- no AP classes. I know that you only list 9th and 10th grade, but many top kids are taking an AP class or two in 10th grade. If your school doesn't allow it -- that is fine, then. your GC should mention that in his/her letter.</p>

<p>I also thought about sports -- any sports you are really good in? take a look at the school and see if that could help you. no sense making a big deal in your application about how good you are in tennis and how much you enjoy playing if the school doesn't offer tennis.</p>

<p>Financial Aid is going to be your biggest stopping block -- do you need significant FA or just a little? If your need is not much, consider not applying -- it does make it harder to get into a school and entering into 11th grade is hard to begin with. Also make sure you contact each school on your list as to whether you are international or a US applicant. There seems to be some differences from school to school -- if you are a US citizen, there is no question -- but if you hold a green card or other type of visa, you should call. Some schools don't give FA to internationals.</p>

<p>Last comment -- consider applying to the United World Colleges, a two year international boarding school with schools located in many different countries. All applicants accepted by the US committee are awarded full scholarships for tuition, room and board. The curriculum is IB and the UWCs were one of the founders of the IB program. Do some reading about the UWC's --
<a href="http://www.uwc.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uwc.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br>
<a href="http://www.uwc-usa.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uwc-usa.org/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_World_Colleges%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_World_Colleges&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>your interest in community service, your international background and your high level of achievement at school make me think you would be a good match for a UWC -- so you could add it to your list of schools to apply for.</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
Also I was thinking about the Advanced Academy of Georgia

[/quote]

I agree with you that acad of georgia shouldn't be a problem. you might also want to look into Missouri Academy of Science, Math, and Computing (MASMC). it's VERY similiar, and I'll actually be going there next year.
Because these schools are more of PROGRAMS than they are schools, all you need are the stats they say they require. I believe you'll have to take the ACT or SAT for them (you do for MASMC).
However, as long as you have the required stats, they'll accept you. At MASMC, they accept 100% that apply with their requirments met.
As far as financial aid, while I can't speak for georgia's academy, how it is in MO, it would be tricky because you're out of state.
PM me if you have any more interest in either academy.</p>

12

<p>I'm going to 10th grade this year so i'm applying for 11th grade for next year. Those were just a list of classes I'm going to be in. My school only offers AP classes to juniors and seniors so I couldn't take any of them.</p>

<p>I'm a permanent U.S. resident</p>

13

<p>MBP Thanks for the other school you mentioned. I'm looking into it now.
Do you know of any other programs like these?
I heard there are 9 in the US but I cant find them
For MASMC I meet all the requirements. Does that mean I will get in if I apply?</p>

14

<p>pretty much. they believe that it is their duty to accept all qualified students, so if you have that SAT/ACT or PLAN/PSAT (and because your GPA and rank are fine), i don't see how they can reject you.</p>

<p>However, as far as I know, you would be the first OOS student. You should call Robert Bryant (the admissions dean) and ask him about the financial stuff. He's very nice, though he talks a lot.</p>

<p>I think there are 12 in the U.S. I have them on a list, i'll dig it up and post it. The other one that's really good (slightly better than MASMC, which i think is the 2nd best), is Rock Bard or something.</p>

15

<p>all of the programs:</p>

<p>North Carolina School of Science and Math
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
'Bama School of Math and Science
Maine School of Science and Mathematics
The Conserve School (Land O'Lakes, WI)
Russell Mathematics and Science Center (Birmingham AL)
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Oklahoma School of Science and Math
Arknasas school for mathematics and science
*all the above schools have their own campus and faculty. it's seperated from any college, but does college level work *</p>

<p>louisiana school for math, science and arts
mississippi school for mathematics and science
indiana academy for science math and humanities
** the above schools are located on a university campus, but have their own faculty. they don't take classes w/ other college students. **</p>

<p>georgia academy of mathematics, engineering, and science
the advanced academy of georgia (the one you mentioned)
missouri academy of science, mathematics, and computing (my school :D)
texas academy of mathematics and science
** located on university campus, and university faculty and course (however, only at MASMC do the students take classes with other college students. at the other programs above, the high school students take classes only among their high school peers) **</p>

<p>finally, Simon's Rock College of Bard
** private 4-year college specifically designed for 10th and 11th grade completers (i don't know a whole lot about it, but it's very good) **</p>

16

<p>My PSAT scores and GPA are much higher then the requirements
and it says you have to have geometry and algebra 2
I took geometry in 8th grade and algebra 2(H) as a freshmen and aced them both.
Thank you so much
ans thanks for the list too</p>

17

<p>while I don't want to say you'll be accepted no doubt, i think you'll be accepted... no doubt.
so will you be taking precalc this year, or pre-calc and calculus.
while I'll be taking pre calc and calc this year, there are plenty of students that will be taking calc II and multivariabe calc their junior year, and move on to more advanced things their senior year.</p>

18

<p>Thats a good idea... I'll talk about it to my counselor</p>

19

<p>I don't mean you will pretty much be accepted -- I mean you have a good chance.. better than most. the worst thing you can do is to be too confident. when i got my big exeter acceptance package, i actually murmed to myself, "wow, that's a big waitlist package". it's mercurial.. i was accepted at exeter but rejected at taft, SPS, etc. </p>

<p>not getting in could be because your application was reviewed when the admissions officer was having a bad day and was cynical or something.. it's mercurial. the middle 90% (thus excluding the top 5% and the bottom 5%) of the applicants can't depend on anything.</p>

20

<p>bump.................</p>