Hello! I am currently a freshman at a public HS. I recently found out that I will be moving, and my mom and I have decided to attend a boarding school. The only problem is, I have found out I’m moving at such a short notice. Deadlines for most boarding schools are Jan15, and I have barely a week to finish my application, which is impossible since the next SSAT Testing is at Feb 6. I need to know if I apply late, with my background, can get me into a good boarding school. The boarding schools I am looking at are Mercersburg Academy, West Nottingham, and St. Andrews. Those are my options because they provide a decent education, and are close by. My first pick is Mercersburg, and then St. Andrews, but all applications are due before I can even take the SSAT… My current year and past two years, I have gotten all A’s, with one or two high B’s every report card. I am extremely “active” in class, as I repeatedly raise my hand to answer questions, participate more than anyone, and successfully answer the questions correctly. I play soccer( Not for my HS atm ) and I have played piano for 7/8 years. Along with about 3 years of percussion(1st chair in 8th grade wind ensemble) I am not taking any clubs or sports atm because of personal reasons. The whole reason for me to go to a boarding school was to do all those things, and to build a solid foundation around myself as a whole. I cant take any clubs or sports or community service because of the majority of the day I am home alone, as my mom is very busy working full hours. I believe I can get high 80s to mid 90s on my SSAT. What are my chances? Looking at all the info about myself above and applying late to Mercersburg and St.Andrew(West Nottingham uses rolling admissions) I also think its pretty impressive that I have been alone at my house, doing a majority of the chores alone, living alone in a big house, feeding myself, not getting any professional tutoring, and maintaining good grades with all the struggles I face everyday… My whole life I have just experienced worst and worst things, in my personal life and within my family. It has been tough but that is the whole reason I want to go to boarding school, because of the relationships you build there, and the community you belong in when you attend.
It’s been a while since I applied to boarding schools, but here are a couple of tips. First, they do care a lot about the recommendation, so ask the teacher who likes/supportive of you (especially since you are in a unique situation they will be understanding) and where you’re active, although it’s a bit late to ask.
Good luck to you on your SSATs, there’s a lot of prep books out there. Feel free to call or email the admissions about your situation, but don’t let it sound as if you’re reluctantly applying to boarding schools last minute, but that you’re excited.
The interview is obviously nontrivial. Make sure to emphasize that independence of yours, appear mature, don’t appear reluctant to go to a boarding school, don’t come off as cocky, and really research that school, their motto, etc before you go there.
and btw Mercersburg is a beautiful school as I remember from my revisit. Much luck to your admissions
Did you get accepted into Mercersburg? Do you think with my background and situation that I would get accepted in> In what sense are my chances of getting in?
You might also want to consider George School or Westtown. I think they have slightly later deadlines than some other prep schools.
I really need help… What can I do? What are my chances? Being accepted into a school like Mercersburg could potentially change my life! Not only academically, but socially, mentally, and physically…
You should probably calls those schools directly asap and explain your circumstances. I’ve read on here before that a number of schools allow for February SSAT results as they are still in the middle of reviewing applications.
My schools do accept February scores, but I had to call them and explain my situation
Do you have visits/interviews set up with these schools yet? If so talk to your AO. It might be possible to still be a regular cycle admit if you are a little late. Have you spoken to your teachers about recommendations? If you need FA you pretty much have to get in the regular cycle. Good luck.
Definitely contact the schools ASAP! Three years ago I decided to apply to Groton with less than two weeks to complete the application. They let me take the February SSAT. (It took me three years to get in, so I’m not the greatest example, but my point is that the admission offices are understanding and will do their best to let you apply!) Good luck!
P.S. A bunch of schools have a Feb. 1 deadline, so you have a bit more time to be in the regular cycle. Some that I remember are Northfield Mount Hermon and Emma Willard, but go to boardingschoolreview.com to find more. Good luck again!
What are my chances with the above info about myself? Assuming with my SSAT Scores that I get… say a 79-85 percentile
No one can chance you. You might as well buy a Magic 8 Ball and keep turning it over. You will know your chances on March 10.
I think I gotta disagree… People who are directly involved with the school, such as alumni or current students could answer that question by comparing applications from current/old students. Then I could compare my application to see if I am up to par. When I asked that question I was implying that I wanted to know what my full application was compared to former/current boarders.
As others have said, talk to the schools. I assure you that no one in the Mercersburg admissions office is mean or scary. 
My guess is most schools will be fine with the Feb. SSAT if they know you will be taking it. They may also give you a little leeway with certain parts of the application if you have completed the main portion. Mercersburg is a wonderful school, and I wish you the best of luck.
You can look at boardingschoolreview.com to see the admissions stats for any school to see how you compare. No one here knows you, so the most anyone can say is where you fall in the admissions profile of any school you are looking at, and you can find that information from the school websites or boardingschoolreview.com. You did not share your “full application” (and I don’t recommend you do so), which includes recommendations, essays, and interviews, so all anyone can see is how you look statistically on paper and that is useless for chancing. Also, do you require financial aid? If you do, then that is one situation where I can say that your “chances,” especially at this late date, are low because the FA dollars have already been assigned unless there has been a recent cancellation. If you are full-pay, you will have better chances with a late application.
I am not trying to be harsh, just trying to point out that “chancing” is a waste of effort, effort that would be better spent finding schools where your stats and personality are a good match and putting your all into those applications. Good luck.
Thanks for the advice guys! This has already helped me, the admissions office has decided to let me in the regular deadline cycle with the acceptance of a Feb test date. I had also recently found out the recent 10th grade SSAT average was around a 2000 while my practice scores were about 1700. I still got two weeks, and 4 more practice tests to go through and review… Thanks for the help bless you all
You can also check if your schools accept ISEE, which may have test dates that fit your deadlines better.