First, let me start off by saying I really want to go to boarding school. Not because I think it will lead to a good college, because I want to leave my parents, or that I’m looking for a better life for myself. I want to go to boarding school for the experiences, the culture, and the social life it has to offer, as well as the impressive academics.
My list currently consists of:
-Wayland Academy
-Choate Rosemary Hall
-Middlesex School
-Deerfield Academy
-Phillips Academy Andover
-St. Paul’s School
-The Masters School
I am also applying to three other schools, but I don’t feel like listing them. What do you think my chances of getting in to one of these schools (or another one) would be?
I am a biracial (caucasian and african american) thirteen year old girl with divorced parents who never graduated college. My current GPA is around 3.8, but I am hoping to improve it once the school year begins. I have participated in volleyball and basketball. For two years, I played the clarinet and bass clarinet. My worst subject is science, as I once received an F, but I have improved tremendously, yet it is still not one of my strengths. I am good at English, since I love reading and writing. I would be either applying for FA or a tuition loan. I haven’t taken the SSAT yet, but I plan to in October. I can’t visit any of these schools except Wayland, because they are too far. I know boarding schools are all hard to get into, and I have to be very smart and well situated in public school. I can write really good essays, and I can rack up good teacher recommendation forms, but how much do my transcripts account for? I played the viola for a year, but I quit. I am taking an advanced class for math this year, if that counts for anything. I also got accepted into a college readiness program, which might make me look better. This upcoming year I hope to participate in as many EC activities as I am able to, within reason.
So, if any of you have advice for me, I’d love to hear it. How can I make myself look more acceptable to boarding school?
Your credentials look fine. I would recommend studying a lot for the SSAT and trying your best to get a higher score. Your SSAT score will give you a decent gauge for what schools to apply to. Additionally your interviews are quite important as well as are your written responses to their questions. The interview and questions offer the schools an insight into what you are like and what you are trying to get out of their school. I don’t know if this school is one of your other three you did not name, but I would suggest looking into the Hotchkiss school. Anyways I wish you the best of luck during the boarding school process!
Thanks, I’ll look into the Hotchkiss school.
I agree entirely with the points made by @Torn2020. The SSAT will definitely give you a better idea of the schools you are qualified for and I too would look into the Hotchkiss School.
As you probably know, your educational experience at Hotchkiss or Andover is going to be much different than at Wayland or Choate. Over the next few months, I would recommend thinking more about the type of environment you are looking for. What qualities do you deem most important in a school? What kind of social atmosphere would you feel most comfortable in? What kind of academic atmosphere would best allow you to thrive? These are all questions you need to ask yourself at some point.
To address your question about packaging yourself, the boarding school application process is less about making yourself seem desirable and more about establishing fit. Only participate in EC that you are genuinely interested in pursuing. Beyond putting your best foot forward, don’t let the application process shape you.
I hope my comment was able to help. Good luck!
Be sure to prep for the interviews- that’s what was the most hard for me…practice questions such as:
Why do you want to come to boarding school?
What are you looking forward to at so and so school?
What is your favorite book?
What are extracurricular stay you participate in?
How would you describe yourself?
What is a challenge you have faced and overcome in the past?
What will you contribute to so and so school?
What are your favorite subjects?
What are challenging subjects for you and how have you worked to improve them?
Also- be sure to not focus on what you are trying to get away from (ex… At home it is this…)but instead saying “I am looking forward to”
You have an impressive resume 
best of luck !