<p>aubreygal: Did you visit NMH and Peddie? I really like those schools and might apply to them.</p>
<p>It was Deerfield, before my interview; but we weren’t all that impressed at the admissions guy. (Maybe it was just because his Choate counterpart was so unbelievably awesome on the same day.) So probably Andover.</p>
<p>The lack of safeties is kind of worrying me. But, to use aubreygal’s words, GO BIG OR GO HOME!!! :)</p>
<p>There could be a lot of heartbreak on 10-March if everyone pursues the “GO BIG OR GO HOME” strategy…</p>
<p>Consider last year’s admissions outcomes:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1098902-official-master-list-2011-acceptances-21.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1098902-official-master-list-2011-acceptances-21.html</a></p>
<p>I’m also using the ‘go big or go home’ strategy, but it’s not by choice. My parents won’t let me apply to anything out of the top 15 by the average 2009 SAT overall scores list… I don’t fully understand their thinking, but their logic is that if I don’t go to a TOP boarding school, they might as well use that money to buy a house in a good public school district and I go to public school (I live in China now, and we’re definitely moving back to the USA this year, no matter what school I’ll be going to). So I personally understand the risks, especially as a second-time applicant who was waitlisted at 5 schools last year. That said, as long as you’re prepared for the heartbreak, some optimism is okay too. :)</p>
<p>@aaralyn,</p>
<p>Optimism is good, but if attending BS is a priority for your family then it would be strategic to be pragmatic to cast a wider net. As you already know from last year, applying to these schools is time-consuming, stressful and expensive. </p>
<p>There is life outside of the top 15 SAT schools…</p>
<p>Well, I’ve always been an extreme kind of person. I know the risks. By no means is the GO BIG party the majority, though. At this stage… we’ll see, come March.</p>
<p>On a more philosophical note, I was recently perusing Henry David Thoreau’s Walden: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” I can’t speak for anybody else, but applying for BS and trying to get the best education possible was my castle in the air. So now I’m going to build some foundations and go write essays. :)</p>
<p>@GMTPlus7; Yeah, we’ve been told that by multiple people, my parents are dead-set on me attending a top one or they think it wouldn’t be worth it to just go to ‘any random boarding school’. = = I definitely disagree with them, but they’re just stereotypical Asian parents, I guess. I actually really REALLY like Thacher, for it’s outdoorsy equestrian program, but it’s 18th on the list and I can’t apply without my parent’s credit card to pay the bills…</p>
<p>@CherryRose; Teehee aren’t you quite the philosopher? But I love the concept and that’s a beautiful quote :)</p>
<p>@aaralyn: Thanks. I really love Walden’s quotes… Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks 
you too!</p>
<p>@helloel, no I didn’t 
and it’s too late to start…</p>
<p>@GMTplus7 , I’m kind of on the same boat as aaralyn because my mom doesn’t think it’s worth it if it’s not a top one. I mean, I’ve tried but she won’t budge!</p>
<p>I guess if it doesn’t work out this round I’ll just go to the public school next year (UGH PLEASE NOOO) and then re-apply freshman year… to more safeties. But <em>fingers crossed</em> the odds are in my favor. (Anyone know where that quote came from ;))</p>
<p>Actually, about applying to Peddie/NMH, it might not be too late to start. If you’ve done enough research about it and are sure you want to apply, I’m pretty sure they both take the SSAT common application, so it would really just be one more app to do. Just a thought. :)</p>
<p>The only thing I’m worried about is teacher recs… :/</p>
<p>To start applying? Well, not for me because they both take the common apps and I’ve already been filling those out and I’m giving my teachers addressed envelopes when I get back from break. I am positive of 2 schools that I’m applying to just don’t know which others to address on my envelopes. (I have a long list, just need to narrow)</p>
<p>If anyone else is also applying, Exeter doesn’t need a graded essay sample, right? Just wanted to confirm because all the other schools require a sample and I’m uploading those today.</p>
<p>Oh, and for the Gateway schools (Andover, Deerfield, etc.) there’s no way to submit the sample online, right? What a pain.</p>
<p>for the sample do you have to submit the essay with the teacher comments on it? or could i submit a fresh draft and attach the grade sheet?</p>
<p>The one with the comments. I was reluctant about that too, since my English teacher holds me to college standards (said so herself) and my essay got torn apart because of conventions, but…</p>
<p>@CherryRose; I had my school include my graded essay sample with the teacher recs, so they will be mailed together, instead of me having to mail the graded essay sample separately. Just an idea?</p>
<p>@Ehphant; I think the schools actually prefer the essay with the teacher comments, so the comments are more specific, instead of just the grade.</p>
<p>@Cherryrose Sorry, I’m not applying to Exeter x) My English teacher is the same way though… it’s like we’re not in college, woman! lol Oh, and for Gateway I don’t think there’s a way to upload it online which is a pain in the…neck 
@helloel, See, I just don’t think about these things <em>rolls eyes at self</em> :P</p>
<p>@Cherry,</p>
<p>Check w each school (i.e. CALL them) and see if they are OK w you scanning & emailing the graded essay sample. My S did that for a number of schools last year.</p>
<p>well, i just found this and just saying I’m applying to Andover, SPS, and Exeter. Does anybody else not think they’ll be able to survive until March 10?</p>