Hello so I’m going to be typing super fast so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes in advance. So I’m am a junior and plan on applying to boarding schools as a repeat junior, yes I know, it’s one of the most difficult grades to get into. So, I don’t think that academically I’m a strong candidate. I failed ap psych with a 55% during my first marking period and got a 70% in ap lang. I took a standardized test called the ISEE and here’s my score. For verbal I got a 7(rank:86%) reading comprehension I got a 5(rank:46%) quantitative I got a 3(rank:11%) and for mathematics I got a 4(rank:23) I’m disappointed in my scores but still plan on applying. I’ve got other strong assets I’m in CYC(congressional youth cabinet) I’m art club president, have made my own clubs(climate change awareness, penpal, and bullet journaling). I’m also a decent artist. I play tennis and volleyball. Do you think if I reach out to the coaches I’ll have a stronger chance of getting in? Also my recommendations are wonderful. I’m also Malian American and am applying for full financial aid.
It depends on which schools you are applying to. If it’s “top ten” then yes, those scores will likely keep you out. Those scores indicate that you will not be able to handle the workload at a super rigorous heavy academic load score.
If it’s a good mix of schools that really value the whole person and are happy to accept kids with low scores then sure, you have a shot.
so Andover and Exeter are a reach?
First of all, I want to say that i love that you recognize that you are more than your academic score! And there are schools that have all different priorities and skillsets.
I think your challenge is going to be finding a school that matches the right level of academic rigor. I’ll back up and say that sometimes I read “chance me” posts that show soft test scores and then responses will say something like “well maybe your test scores are saying you wouldn’t do well at XYZ top school.” And I feel like pointing out that there are hundreds (thousands?) of kids whose natural SSAT/ISEE test scores would be HORRIBLE, were it not for tutors, consultants, prep classes that their families are able to purchase – and yet lots of them do fantastic in prep school, because they are given the chance to get in thanks to aforementioned resources.
So, your scores don’t concern me all that much by themselves.
However, your grades tell a story. Failing a class, and getting a C- in an AP will give academically rigorous schools reason to question your ability to hit the ground running, as you would need to do as a new junior. Perhaps there is a compelling reason behind the scores/grades issue that would change the narrative, but without one, both of these data points paint cohesive story that a highly rigorous curriculum might not be the right move. (And by the way – I don’t say that with any condescension whatsoever. I have one child who is super artistic and would fall into the same bucket as someone who would not be happy or be their best self at an academic pressure cooker school. This is NOT a bad thing. Really.)
All this “bad news” out of the way – know that I think you can find a wonderful school that would love to have someone like you! I don’t have a list of schools off the top of my head to suggest, but I’ll bet in an hour of googling you could find some supportive, wonderful schools that would be challenging and lovely but not too steep of an academic stretch. Lastly – I’ll say that I do believe that water finds its level, and if you are in a supportive environment with small classes and lots of rich academics, you would totally step up to the challenge and find that your grades really go up. Sometimes it just takes the right environment and the right opportunity to find the best in ourselves.
Cheering you on from the sidelines!
Well yes there is a story behind the poor grades. Since I was new to the much difficult classes I thought that I could do everything by myself and I was a very shy student. So shy that I didn’t ask my teachers what they were looking for until I talked to my counselor and she said to get out of my comfort zone and so reluctantly I did and actually raised my grade tremendously. Through that, overcoming my shyness I realized that it wasn’t that difficult and decided to start a few clubs. I had finally felt like I had a voice so I tried to get others to hear it through what I value, the earth and more.
Are those the only schools you were interested in?
No I’m applying to other schools as well but I’d like to know if applying to those schools are a reach
Nope
Do you mean are they a reach or impossible? I think they are more than a reach for you unfortunately. The scores plus the grades are a pretty big hurdle. I would also be worried that you’d have a really really hard time at those schools based on everything you’ve said.
When you say boarding school, you are just saying a school that offers housing. A boarding school can range form 100% acceptance as long as you can write a $50,000 check will give you a seat to highly selective like Exterer that may accept 10%. Exeter and Andover you would not stand a chance. Fine you are from Mali, yet others are from non-USA countries and apllying and I guarantee they have straight A’s and solid ISEE scores.
Getting into Exterer is just to competitive that at a mimumum (not negotiable) you must have straight A’s and 8’s and 9’s on ISEE. It’s an acadeic school first and foremost.
You are asking for aid and asking to repeat a grade too. These dont help.
Go to boarding school review and do a search for boaridng schools in the lcoatin you desire. They state what the acceptance rate is. You’d be wise to find an uncompetitive one. Remember the deadline for most is 1/15/20 making it a hard deadline
The average SSAT score at Exeter is 94%for an 8th grader applying for 9th.