Blair Academy Chances

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>I'm going to be an eighth grader in the upcoming year and I'm planning on applying to boarding school for high school. I was interested in Blair and decided to give this a shot. I'm far from a 'good' candidate so I decided to see what I can do to improve me application. </p>

<p>I had a mixture of B's and A's in the first two of three trimesters in seventh grade, but in the last trimester I got a C in Math (my only B's in the past trimesters), so I'm worried that will affect my application. I heard from on CC'er that if I get A's in eighth grade and explain my situation of getting C's (my lack of seriousness and motivation in that last trimester), it'll show my dedication to school work but I don't know about that. I was an A/B student in sixth grade and a straight A student in fifth. I was considered to skip a math grade in fifth grade (see the irony, haha) but declined. </p>

<p>I'm not sure if I really have a "hook", seeing as I don't play an instrument or do a sport, but I did two years of violin and a year of piano. I'm planning on taking photography classes in the summer and submitting a portfolio of my photos along with the needed application materials. Is that even allowed, and will this boost my chances. I'm also volunteering at my local cat shelter with my friend who recommended it to me because I love cats. </p>

<p>Here's some additional information about me: I live in California and attend a public school. I'm Asian American, my parents migrated to the US after high school. I'm applying for financial aid. Do you think I have a shot if I get good rec's from my teachers and bring in a solid essay, SSAT score, and grades? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I applied this year to Blair and will probably be going there in September. To address your first concern, I do not even think you have to send in grades from prior years. I am preety sure you only have to send in the current year’s grades to Blair. Of course straight A’s would be great. That being said, Blair has become a fairly competitive (about 30% acceptance rate I hear) prep school. In my opinion, it is going to take more than good grades, recs, SSAT score, and essay. Honestly, I think not playing a sport is going to hurt your application at a school like Blair. Blair has some preety competitive sports teams and I think they are preety big on sports, so I think they preety much expect most of their students to play a sport. But don’t get down on yourself because you still have a lot of time to improve your application. Try to do as much community service as possible, and try to find something that you are really passionate about. Photography could help as well. If you are a good applicant in other areas, you can still probably get into Blair without playing a sport. Good luck, and ask me if you have any other questions.</p>

3

<p>What would be considered a good, solid ammount of hours be? Since I don’t do a sport, I have a lot of time on my hands. I might be taking up swimming and tennis during my school years with some of my friends and possibly basketball.</p>

4

<p>Oh, and I’m also going to be on yearbook for sure.</p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone using CC</p>

5

<p>@rizzledrizzle,
Before I begin, please keep in mind that I am a random dude on the internet. What I think could possibly have no value whatsoever. Also, no one this website can tell you whether or not you will get in. That is the job of the admission office. Now, to my opinion on how you can present yourself in the best possible light.</p>

<p>Before I begin, I’m going to to point out some of the flaws in your application. Please don’t be offended as I’m being brutally honest.</p>

<p>1) A C in math.
2) A lack of a long term commitment/special talent in one particular area.
3) Living in California.
4) Being Asian-American.
5) Applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>My best advice on how to fix these mistakes is:</p>

<p>1) Score extremely high on the math SSAT. I’m not sure what math class you’re in now, but if you’re not in Algebra 1 next year, do everything you can to get in Algebra 1. This is essential because the majority of applicants to Blair and other selective schools took Algebra 1 in 8th grade.</p>

<p>2) Send in those photos from the class you take. Find something that you enjoy, excel at, and spend a significant amount of time on it. Also, try playing a sport. Aside from the supposed “brownie points” you might get from an admission office, sports are fun and help keep you in shape. They also help you meet new friends, and help you relieve stress. Definitely sign up for a sport.</p>

<p>3) There’s nothing you can really do about living in California. California is a very over-represented area among many New England (and Mid-Atlantic) prep schools. Often times kids from California have a very difficult time getting in due to the large amounts of apps from California. </p>

<p>4) Again, there’s not much you can do about being Asian-American. Again, many kids who apply are Asian and are highly qualified, making it harder for Asians (as a whole) to get in. </p>

<p>5) If you can help it, don’t apply for financial aid. Financial aid makes it harder to gain admission to most schools because of limited funds. They only have X amount of money to give away, so they have to use it carefully on kids that they really want at their schools. </p>

<p>In general, I would also suggest applying to at least 5 schools if your heart is set on boarding schools. Look at a broad range of schools. Don’t just apply to the Andovers and Deerfields of this world. Good luck.</p>

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<p>I am taking Algebra 1 next year. Thanks for helping by telling me what I can do to improve me application.</p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone using CC</p>

7

<p>And I’m not just looking at Blair. That probably one of the only selective schools I have. I’m also applying to Westtown, Stevenson (in CA), Mercersburg, St. Marks, and Asheville.</p>

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<p>All are good choices. Good luck.</p>

9

<p>Thanks (again. :)</p>