applying to boarding schools (9th grade)

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am currently an international student going into 8th grade. I am thinking of applying to Andover, Lawrenceville, Hotchkiss, Choate, Milton, Deerfield, and maybe Exeter. (Pls reccomend safety schools) Previously, I attended one of the private schools that was rated top 20 by Forbes (<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/29/best-prep-schools-2010-opinions-private-education_slide.html"&gt;http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/29/best-prep-schools-2010-opinions-private-education_slide.html&lt;/a&gt;). </p>

<p>I have pretty mediocre grades, unfortunately. During 7th grade, my grades were -
Math A-
English A
History A
Science A
Latin A
French A
PE B+</p>

<p>I have not taken the SSAT yet, but I have been preparing for it all summer. </p>

<p>I have been playing golf for 6 years, and complete in local and regional tournaments. I have also been playing the piano for 8+ years. I have done a lot of community service in the past. I was a mentor for a non-profit that helps children with mental and physical disabilities (30+ volunteer hours over past couple of years), and was an active member of my school's environmental awareness club. I attended weekly meetings, participated in bi-weekly bake sales to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund, and atttended other club activities (river clean-up, movie, etc.). </p>

<p>I am not really looking for chances (but please feel free to comment on my chances if you'd like to), but rather for advice or things I can improve on from current students, parents, and educators who are familiar with the admissions process. For instance, general tips as to the interview/tour and essay. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your time and help! </p>

2

<p>Improving chances still go in the chances section ;)</p>

3

<p>Okay, first off, your grades are amazing. I don’t know how you think they are mediocre. I would look at Peddie and NMH, maybe Concord too. </p>

4

<p>

Comments like that are off-putting to say the least, and will do you no favors in the interview process.</p>

5

<p>You also say that you previously attended one of those schools on the list. Do you still attend? If you do not, be prepared to be asked why not in one of your interviews. If they do ask, don’t get defensive. Just answer truthfully, and if you don’t want to, just say you are uncomfortable answering.</p>

6

<p>OP didn’t say he necessarily attended a boarding school, and many BS students come from private schools, it’s not an uncommon thing. </p>

7

<p>Sorry, it’s just that it said previously and I assumed it means the OP left. The same happened to me, I had to explain the same thing. I figured I’d give the advice, because chances are they will ask about it.</p>

8

<p>False modesty never comes across well in the interview process…</p>

9

<p>I don’t really like the word “safety.” Just because a school is smaller/less well known does not mean it’s easier to get into, and it’s definitely not inferior. Schools are more than just their prestige! Anyway, why not look into some west coast schools for variety? And to me you already seem like a pretty qualified student. :slight_smile: just make sure you’re kind & polite at your interview, and don’t try to be modest. One of my interviewers told me directly to brag about myself to make it easier for her, haha. </p>

10

<p>“Hidden Gem” is the lingo we use for those type of schools. ;)</p>