<p>Actually, false, Hotchkiss is second behind Groton.</p>
<p>puppylvr–I agree with SiliconValleyMom, at least for the boarding schools with which I’m familiar (I still have kids at PEA). It’s a little bit like college applications, in which it can be taken as a bad sign if an applicant feels she has to reach back to freshman or sophomore year for an academic recommendation. PEA, for example, is going to want your current math and English teachers’ recommendations. You also will have an extra-curricular recommendation, but that really should be for something special you do outside academics. The vast majority of applicants is academically qualified. Such a school does not want to be flooded with extra academic recommendations, particularly ones from years past; they want more of a picture of you to distinguish you from all of those other applicants. As someone else noted, your experience probably instead could much more effectively be presented by you in an essay (or interview).</p>
<p>As three of my children had skipped at least one grade before high school, I can only give you my personal take, which is that it is not a “hook” and may well be a disadvantage–especially for boys. Although it was surmountable, I think their age probably was more of a detriment. An admissions committee may be concerned that an eleven or twelve-year-old Prep may well stand out in a way that does not necessarily assist in the process of fitting in living away from home and socially at a boarding school.</p>
<p>Would doing dance for 7 years, and going away during the summers for dance be a hook?</p>
<p>Is being a citizen of multiple countries a hook?</p>
<p>Is being a citizen of multiple countries a hook?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>Well that sucks. 
Thanks for answering. Doesn’t it help though because they can say they have a student from an extra country on their lists, which they could because I know none of the schools Im applying to currently have students from there. What about having lived in many countries?</p>
<p>How big of a hook would competing in a U18 world championship as a 15 year-old be?</p>
<p>Depends on what sport/other competion you are competing for. If the school doesn’t have the sport then it probably won’t help…at all.</p>