Hi, I currently am a freshman at St Paul’s School. I came on this forum a lot last year with a ton of questions, so I thought I’d return the favor! I want to answer any questions you all might have - from interviews, applications, SSAT to daily routine, sleeping arrangements, friends, weekends, food, and dating. just drop a question below and ill answer it!
MODERATOR’S NOTE::
Any student/alum/parent/friend is welcome to jump in an answer questions as well. Additionally, please do not put the Original Poster in an awkward position by asking questions that nobody outside of the admissions office can answer (e.g. no questions about chances).
What would you do differently to prepare for the transition to boarding school? What has been the biggest challenge your first semester at boarding school?
In your opinion, what was it about your academic/extracurricular profile that got you accepted? Any advice for students going through the application process themselves? Thanks!
Hi! In terms of preparing differently, I would have worked a little bit harder in the spring term of my 8th grade year. After I found out that I was accepted and decided on SPS, I became a little bit lazier and my grades dropped from all A’s to a little lower. My biggest advice is to finish your year as strong as possible. Boarding schools can always rescind their offer of admission if they feel it is necessary, whether it is grades, disciplinary, or other. Finish strong, and then enjoy the summer!
For my first semester, the biggest challenge was socially for me. I’m a pretty nice and agreeable guy, and I like to hang with my friends, but you don’t want to ALWAYS be out with friends and other people so that you do not miss anything socially. thus you might end up disregarding work. DO NOT FALL INTO THAT TRAP. after a few months, I found my core group of friends that I know and love. do your work, get sleep, eat, relax, do all that. don’t worry too much about the social aspect, but at the same time get out there, make friends, and have fun while making sure you keep up with everything else.
@Caratastrophe hi! In my opinion, I didn’t have a huge hook, but actually a lot of little ones. I was from an under represented state, I ski, etc. etc. I had really good grades, recommendations and SSAT scores as well. however, I am not a U-R-M. the biggest advice I can offer you is to be yourself. That’s the main reason that I believe I got in. Let yourself shine through on the essays, and in the interview. Don’t try and be something that you’re not. They are looking for someone that can make their school diverse, fun, and caring. They don’t want 150 clones of the same high-level robotic kids with perfect scores necessarily, they want a diverse population from all ranges of categories. Also, make connections. I talked to coaches, admissions officers, former students, teachers, everything. I made sure to talk to whoever I could and showed them who I was. I think that can only help in the long run. Good luck!
What is the one thing or things, if applicable, that you’d do differently if you had to do it all over again??? As far as the application process…not the preparation part that you’ve answered…
@buuzn03 if I had to go back and do it over again, I would have chosen to show more of myself in my essays. I feel that I could have showed and said more about myself and who I am, and I might have come off as superficial. In the essays for all applications, they don’t want to see someone that you’re not. I would have shown them even more of who I am, if that makes sense.
Also, I would have been a bit more open. During the application process, I was set on a certain school for almost a year. I resisted other schools, and I think that might have shown in my applications. After the interview and revisit, my opinion totally changed, however. So my advice is to go into the process with an open mind.
Hi, I am currently applying to boarding schools: Andover, Saint Pauls, Exeter, Choate, Cranbrook, Lawrenceville. I am a fairly well student with straight A’s and lots of extracurriculars. I’m in the 8th grade and everything throughout the application process has been fairly easy but I am having trouble with the SSAT’s. What would be your advice on how to study and approach the test?
@BoardSchoolTeen That’s one of the thingsDS would’ve done differently, too! That and not applied to schools he realized weren’t good fits. He completed applications to schools even though he knew he really didn’t feel comfortable at them. We should’ve dropped those and looked for others immediately…what a difference the visit makes! Thank you for offering to help everyone…it is a great help and we know how busy your BS schedule can be!
@BoardSchoolTeen
I have question about the SSAT creative essay. I am likely to pick the creative prompt, but I don’t exaclty know how to write it. should I write about personal experiences? Or can I write an independent story?
Thank you to anyone who is able to answer this!
@bellereveus hi! I would say to do as many practice tests as possible.I ordered a few books online to study from, and that made a huge difference. Compare your practice scores, see what you should work on, and then take a few more tests. It really helped me in that sense. Also, read as much as you can as that will help immensely for the vocab and reading section. Practice just gleaning passages for the important information. All in all, just practice, practice, practice.
@SomehowMe hi! I picked the creative prompt and the essay prompt as I took the test twice. For the creative prompt, you can write about anything. In my opinion, if you do decide on that one, I wouldn’t go too much for writing super - fantasy adventure stories, as that doesn’t really show who you are and also is a bit boring in a way. I would write a mature, well planned independent story about a unique (not necessarily real) adventure that has a level of thought and fun to it as well. The people who will read this essay are just looking for a unique story, not a generic one. So I would see the prompt and then take a few minutes and just think of what you want to write about.
Agree with @BoardSchoolTeen . We ordered a copy with report. KiddoAlphaGr8 made the mistake of being too creative in the essay- reading too much dystopian fiction - confused this section as being judged on creative content :(( Agree with above suggestion to craft a well organized story and your knowledge of basic writing mechanics, as well as a unique story.
What is one thing you wish you didn’t stress out over in the application process if you did? Also, should I regard all applications the same even if I favorite one or two schools over the others? Thank you in advance!
the fact that everyone lives on campus, no day students. really adds to the overall feeling and camaraderie
diversity, lots of people from all over
campus is absolutely amazing, the best one I saw while touring
dorm life is amazing, I am very close with everyone in my dorm. I also like that they have staggered grades in the dorm instead of just freshmen dorms.
faculty are very nice, involved, and knowledgeable. they serve as leaders and guiders and we all really look up to them
freedom. we don’t have assigned study hall or lights out, so they trust us to do our work responsibly. I love my individuality. if needed though, one can be assigned to/check into supervised study hall
a great balance between work and fun
this goes without saying, sports are world class
dislikes
sometimes the food isn’t the best, and while the food services certainly try to incorporate different cuisines, sometimes I just crave a burger. however, there is always a pasta/salad bar if you don’t like the options
homework load can be a lot at times. you just need to find the balance and know your strength when it comes to efficiency, and develop a plan.
