<p>Hello all- I would like to know if anyone has experience applying to Groton for their Second Form, i.e. 8th grade?? Would you say it is easier to get accepted for 8th, then waiting to apply for 9th?? I am dying to go there, but am not your average candidate, so please give me some feedback about what you think my chances are!!??</p>
<p>I moved from UT to MD 3 years ago with my dad who is raising me, and transferred from a small, run of the mill public school to an IBMYP private school in 5th grade (I'm going into 7th this fall). This was a huge jump for me, since my public school in UT was totally different and obviously completely not even remotely in the same academic category as my new one! So it has taken me a bit to adjust. My grades are ok- I had all As and Bs until last year, which ended up mostly As and Bs and a few Cs and Im really concerned about that. Thoughts??? I have always received stellar teacher comments on my report cards, and have been reviewing all summer to start off 7th grade with all As. If I get all As this year will it matter so much about those couple Cs?? I now play field hockey, basketball, tennis and am starting crew, and I horse back ride. I am running for student counsel this year, and on the year book committee and model UN, as well as chess club, drama club and am in the middle school choir. Also, Im starting piano lessons this fall. Extracurriculars outside of school include a position as the Record Keeper for my 4-H club, and I volunteer at a soup kitchen and a nature center. Basically, my world has completely opened up, and I am hoping that an admissions officer will see the drive and determination I have to make the most of everything now available to me.... I want to be involved with everything!!</p>
<p>Would you please let me honestly know what you all think about my chances for Groton for 8th grade????</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion. Ill try to do that! Anyone else have advise please?? Dont be shy, I know I have a steep road ahead. Also, can anyone comment on weather they took the ISEE or the SSAT for 8th? I think I have to take the ISEE, right??</p>
<p>Groton’s website has a section they call the “8th grade experience” you should take a look at it and see what they emphasize. I think it is important to talk about how you managed your transition to your current school and how that experience will help you move again to a new school. You seem very involved in your school and I think that is also important since Groton is such a small school and the second form (8th grade) class is very small. Make sure you are yourself during your tour and interview.</p>
<p>I have no personal experience, but my understanding is that it’s harder to get into Groton as an 8th grader than as a 9th grader (which is pretty darn hard itself). When we went through the process for applying to 9th grade, I heard from several people that the relatively small number of spots for 8th grade tend to be taken by children of teachers and younger siblings of other students. That said, if you’re dying to go to Groton, applying as an 8th grader and then if you don’t get in, applying again as a 9th grader may help show just how badly you want it.</p>
<p>I agree with Soxmom–many of the 30 or so 8th graders are faculty kids, siblings, and legacies. I applied at the very last minute, fell in love with the school, and was waitlisted. I’ve always had all A’s, outstanding teacher recommendations, various writing awards, and I’d need full financial aid. It’s tough, and I envy all those who were accepted, but good luck!</p>
<p>(Try messaging grotonguy when you get enough posts–he’ll start as a second former this fall. There was another poster whose daughter was accepted, I just forget who. Try looking through the accepted/waitlisted/rejected threads.)</p>
<p>Oh, and I scored in the 93rd percentile on the lower level SSAT. I can’t suggest books because it came out of the blue for me and I only did a quick practice test I found online.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. Stargirl- im going to try PMing you too, when I can! Did you reapply for 9th this year?? Ironmom* Thanks for the advice- that what my dad says too! I cant wait to go up to capus and do my tour and interview.</p>
<p>Please do not think that II Form (8th Grade) at Groton is full of faculty children. Last year there were a record high number (6), but that was an aberration that everyone knew was coming down the pipe. It is NOT the case for this coming year. The average is probably around 0-2 (out of 30)–that’s between 0-7% in II Form and much, much lower as you move up. Keep in mind that Groton does not blindly accept all faculty children, either, unlike some schools.</p>
<p>Groton actively seeks a diverse and interesting II Form, and it does sometimes take kids whose numbers are a little low. The idea is that the extra year can give the right preparation for the student heading into the Upper School. In that sense, yes, it may in fact be easier to apply for II Form than III Form. However, you must know that Groton has very challenging academics. Getting in is NOT the hardest part.</p>
<p>My recommendation to the original poster is to widen his or her search. Groton is a great school, but it is not the only one out there for 9th-12th grade. Visit as many schools as you can and find the one that speaks to you. For example, would you still want to ride horses at school? That would be difficult at Groton until at least IV Form (10th Grade) and even then you would be limited to one season a year after that, and only if you could locally board your own horses (at your own high expense). Maybe look at Thatcher in California or other schools that have equine programs?</p>
<p>Someone mentioned financial aid. There are a few schools who are need-blind (Exeter?), but other than those, your aid needs may change the admissions picture. From what I have heard people say, if a school is not able to offer you the aid package they know that you require, they may choose not to offer admission at all. They do not want to put a family in a position of Mom and Dad having to tell a child that they cannot afford the school, making the child hold the decision against the family. Schools also do not want families to go into hardship to send their child to school. Therefore, if you need aid, apply to many schools and take “rejections” lightly–sometimes the school wants you, but just cannot afford you that year.</p>
<p>There are so many good schools out there (including possibly the one you are in), and most of the differences between them are based on personal preference. The real key is what you will put into it when you are there–not just what grades you get, but how much you invest in learning, taking risks, and developing lasting friendships (with peers and teachers). These will be the measures of your success in life, whether at Groton or your local public.</p>