<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am an international student from Mexico. I am in 9th grade right now, in a public high school in California, and I will be applying for 10th grade next year at some private boarding schools. Some of them include Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, St Paul's, etc. </p>
<p>In school, I am taking mostly advanced classes, like Biology, English Intensive, Alg2. I am in Model UN and Mock Trial(started this year), I play tennis on the varsity team, I play piano at a pretty decent level (around level 7 in california's Certificate of merit (10 levels total)). I have a mexican national ''Junior Knowledge Olympics'' award, and an international music composition award. </p>
<p>I haven't taken the SSAT yet, so what is the minimum I need to get into a prep school? Is it necessary to take a special course to prepare for it? </p>
<p>If I take the SSAT, should I take the TOEFL as well?</p>
<p>What do you think are my chances of getting in to one of these schools? What else should I do ?</p>
<p>I am not a very strong essay writer, so how can I level it out with something else?</p>
<p>Please give me some advice! </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Juli</p>