I’m not sure here’s the place for this, but I’ll post it in here anyway.
I am 9th grader from the USA (but living in Brazil) and I’m applying to many boarding schools in the US, mainly because I want to get in a great college and boarding schools have great prep.
However, I don’t think my application specially stands out from the other applicants and I need some advice on what should I work towards adding in this final period of time before due date.
Heres a rough sketch on how my application is looking right now:
Demographics:
Male, White, American (living in Brazil)
Studying at a random private school
Stats:
90% SSAT, ~3.3 GPA
School doesn’t do rank
Awards:
Did a important national math exam (OBMEP), expecting a bronze medal (gold maybe)
Several best grades in class awards (for 6-7 grade, should I submit?)
Several karate awards from local championships, including 1st place
Also expecting at least a silver medal for TIMO (International math comp)
Extracurriculars:
Started a NFT project with my dad, was unsuccessful but learned a lot
I play basketball at my school, but there isn’t a official team like in the US, I would say I’m OK
Play chess pretty regularly (I have ~1350 rating on Chess .com) It’s a big passion but I’m also OK
Used to do weekly classes for piano, I’ve been playing it for at least 10 years but no awards
Essays/LORs/Other:
Essays: I’m a decent writer, 7/10
LORs: my teachers don’t know me extremely well and also never done any rec, 5/10
The main reason I have a lacking profile is mostly because of the very little amount of opportunities and a living in a low income household (~20k yearly).
Based on all of this, I have two questions:
What schools would I have best chances to get in?
I am willing to strengthen my application, so what should I do?
Your biggest obstacle is your great need for financial aid.
DO emphasize that you are a US citizen. At least, that’s what I’m assuming “from the US” means. There is very little need based aid available to international students.
Make sure that your list of “many boarding schools” includes schools that are not GLACHEMMS. This does not mean including Concord Academy as a safety. Because it’s misguided for anyone to think CA is a safety. Include some higher admit schools. Check out the hidden gems.
Don’t apply to too many schools. After a certain point, the quality of your applications suffers if you apply to too many.
Thanks for the reply! Currently, this is my list of schools:
Exeter
Andover
Deerfield
Groton
Concord
Middlesex
WMA
NMH
Governor’s
Berkshire
Any suggestions on what should I add/remove/change? I’m not sure which are the safeties here. I’m mostly applying to the schools in Massachussets and I’m definently looking for something with a higher acceptance rate. Also, yes am a US citizen.
Well all those schools are selective, I’m not sure about WMA and NMH. For the rest of the schools all the acceptance rates are lower than 25%. I would find safety schools that have a higher acceptance rate. The other schools your applying to are known to be the top of top boarding schools and are highly selective. Most kids who apply got w/l or rejected from these schools. You can look at other peoples threads on this website to see how selective they are.
I agree that your list is top heavy. Not a bad list, but lacking in more likely acceptances.
Mercersberg and George School are both generous with FA and have higher acceptance rates. Both are in PA. George would see your background as a plus, I’d guess. Two different places, but both very kind.
I’d add those as FA often makes it more challenging, and while you look like you’d be a great addition to a community, you don’t have those hooks - like being a top athlete - that will automatically push you to the top of the acceptance pile.
Discover if you have one, maybe. Are you an elite athlete? A legacy? Your description didn’t suggest it. A hook fulfills an institutional need.
You can, however, be a attractive applicant to a school by articulating that you would be a good fit. For example, at a school like George (the one I know best), your experience in Brazil would be a plus because it’s a school that’s very much about being global, having a diversity of experiences represented. If you went through their archived service learning, you’d see a connection through prior students to Brazil. They have a very competitive math team, so wanting to be part of that could help.
These aren’t true hooks, in the sense that they aren’t mandated by someone other than admissions, but these are the thingscthat make an AO say “this kid would be a great addition to our community.”
Believe it or not, BS really want their students to thrive, and they know that happens when students can both get and give value to the school. An up and coming ice hockey player, for example, brings nothing special to a school that has no team nor does he develop to his fullest when he can’t play. It’s up to you to demonstrate why you and a school would be good for each other.
Most of the schools have >20% acceptance rate and some have >30% like Mercesburg and WMA. Is it likely I will get in to at least one of this schools on FA? Or should I include more safeties?
Again, thank you all for replying, I was a bit lost in the beggining of the application process but the whole community on this forums really helped me out!
I decided to go over again and look at pretty much all schools, this is what I came up with:
Exeter
Andover
Deerfield
Hotchkiss
Mercers Burg
NMH
St. Andrew’s
R. Macon
Culver
The Hill
I removed Groton because of low acceptance rate (9%) and Berkshire because I didn’t really think I’d fit in. Regarding St. Paul’s, I didn’t add it because it’s Episcopal and I’m not religious.
St. Andrew’s School in Delaware is also an Episcopalian school.
Neither St.Paul’s nor St. Andrew’s religious affiliation should deter one from applying. Like Jesuit universities, the primary focus is on academics & treating others in a dignified & respectful manner.
Your openness to others’ suggestions indicates you’re well-prepared for a prep school. You will thrive there!
I recommend you begin interviews with the schools you’ve listed soon, using these interactions to identify your niche and gauge the interviewers’ positive perceptions. It would be beneficial to showcase various aspects of your unique experiences until you find your unique background and how you can use it to positively impact a school community.
In essence, students like you can seek a school where the interviewers ignite meaningful discussions about your experiences and passions. That is the place where you’ll fit best. The true essence of attending a prep school lies in this alignment, and it frustrates me when students on this forum become overly focused on rankings and prestige, overlooking this crucial aspect.
Your background in karate championships and your life in Brazil, in particular, stand out as fascinating at least to me. It’s a great ice breaker for interviews.
