Apparently it wouldn't let me post this because of disallowed links to my Unity game examples. Darn. Let me know if you'd like me to try and send them a different way.
@MariTheTrex --- Assuming you aren't talking about financial aid awards from schools (as currently, I don't think any of us here have applied yet), I would say - maybe? I mean, I used to do figure skating competitions, but they were all through ISI, so they were more of recreational competitions. So honestly, I don't think so.
My middle school (7-8) also had a team competing in the Academic Pentathlon (middle school level of the Decathlon, with Math, History, Language Arts, Science, and Fine Arts). We did really well in regionals and made it to state level of competition (California, and a couple hours from the central valley if it makes a difference). I also got the top math score in our region. My best friend and I also got the top two language arts scores in our region (her first, me second). So that's something I'm pretty proud of.
Unfortunately, COVID caused our schools to shut down so we couldn’t finish the state level of competition. Also, I participated in 7th grade (2019-20) and plan to do so again this year. I absolutely would have LOVED to do it in 6th grade, but my that’s part of elem. in my district so I couldn’t, unfortunately. If we can do Pentathlon again this year (I don’t know if we’d be able to if we have to do distance learning), I plan on participating. I heard some rumors from my teachers that the school is planning on not doing Pentathlon, and having an MSPDP (middle school public debate program or something) team instead. However, if that is the case, my best friend and I are planning on fighting against the administration to ensure that we either get:
Just Pentathlon
Both Pentathlon and MSPDP
Regardless of which teams we get, I planning on participating on both (or one, depending on what we get). So yeah.
Also, I need some advice. I feel like I'm not super strong in the extracurricular department. I'm really strong in math, and I love it, so I've spent time in quarantine working on increasing my knowledge. I also began learning a little bit of German a couple years ago (American citizen and family, but I was born there and lived there for like a year. We moved back to the US when I was three, been here for the past decade), but stopped because I couldn't find the time. One of my parents has a (pirated) copy of Rosetta Stone with capability to access all the languages on it, so I'm going be trying to work on learning it a bit more. I also really want to learn Korean, so I think I'm going to try my best to do that too.
I don't play any sports except figure skating (ISI level 2-3). While I can't go now, I used to go to the rink closest to us about once a week to practice and work with my coach. I also have been taking classes from Hackingtons Code School (hackingtons.com) for the past two and half or so years. I'm very skilled at HTML, CSS, Scratch, and Python (black belt in their skill measuring/ranking system). I'd share some websites, but my best ones have too much personal info. Currently I'm working on learning some C#/Unity, then I'll be learning JS.
I also play violin, and I’d say I’m maybe an intermediate student?? I take lessons and try to practice a few hours each week. We have an orchestra at my school so I was a part of that as my elective. We did several concerts and I also participated in Honor Orchestra (basically honor band but only strings). I was also the only 7th grader who was a first violin.
Oh, and I'm starting to work on writing a novel. I plan to self publish it.
I think my problem is that I’m involved in a bunch of things, but I’m not fully committed to any of them, I spread myself too thin. Any advice?
Sorry for the overly long post.
@LittleLesbian Hey Lia! I’m looking to apply to Exeter, Andover, Choate, and possibly Loomis Chaffee. I feel like I’m also in a similar situation as you… I’m strong academically but when it comes to extra-curriculars, I don’t have much. I guess I could say I do piano, but I’m not that good at it. During quarantine, I’ve been trying to get better. I’ve also picked up coding during quarantine. I know that it’s probably too late to get good enough for them to actually consider me, but I’m actually really passionate about it and I think if I went to boarding school, I would definitely pursue it there. I can’t really think of anything outside from school I’m good at. I just know I am very passionate about computer science. I was also going to apply for speech and debate last year, but for some reason my friends and I never heard about the date they had the first meeting and we were not allowed in after the deadline which really sucked… If possible, I want to apply this year but I don’t know what’s going to happen due to Covid-19. I’m trying to find online leadership positions that I can do so I can put it on my application, but as a 13 year old, I can’t really do THAT much. Also, I am interested in track and field and have always been a half? decent runner. I’ve been practicing to run faster during quarantine. Btw I stayed inside and ran on a treadmill so dw haha.
I think I’ve also spread myself too thin as well… I wish that I could private dm you but I think I need at least a few comments to do that. If you want, dm me on instagram @soh3.e to chat (: I would love to have someone to talk to about everything. Thanks!
It’s fine to be involved in a lot of things. You just need to be able to articulate why!
At your age, it’s a great time to try different things to figure out what you like. If you stay with it through the year/season to give it a fair shot and to be responsible to the group/team, then move on, it’s fine.
You need to describe yourself as exploring and curious and as someone who explores by doing. No harm in that.
I’m a student at Andover. You mentioned prom and same-sex couples. Prom at Andover is only for seniors. Both Andover and Exeter are super accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Nobody cares if you’re queer, which is super nice.
I’m so sorry I’m replying so late! I haven’t logged in a while! I was busy studying and some personal stuff came up as well Anyways, I was wondering, do you have Instagram or any way to talk privately? I’m in such a similar situation and I’m applying as well! My Instagram is @marichaparroo
Hi guys! Now that it’s almost August, I feel like we should probably be narrowing down where we want to investigate further. So - what are your top 5-15 schools so far? Ranked? How many did you have originally? What contributed to taking some off your list? For me, I originally looked at about 30, and have it narrowed to nine, I believe. I think the single biggest factor was lack of generous aid. For my family, we need a lot to make it realistic, and I think I have a pretty good list. One school on here, I don’t quite have enough information, so I’m not sure if I’ll keep it on my list. Also, things like lack of challenging Math and interesting Language programs. Things like IB made a school stand out more to me as well. So, my list right now is:
Andover
Annie Wright Schools
Cate
Choate
Deerfield
Exeter
Hotchkiss
Lawrenceville
Thacher
The thing is, I see a lot of people from ‘better’ (read: more prestigious/well known, not always the best fit for everyone) schools on CC forums, but not a lot of people from those less known. Specifically, I’d love to get some more info about Annie Wright, but I don’t know anyone on these forums who attends.
does anyone have any tips or anything or the acceptance rates? i’m very nervous and i’m not really sure what is very special about me. i do field hockey and lacrosse and snowboard and would love to try new sports and i love math and drawing i also love the piano and that’s pretty much it Im very passionate about everything i do and especially my education. I truly would like to go but can’t push away the feeling of possibly not getting in. i have stayed up all night countless times just from the stress and don’t know how to calm myself.
@LittleLesbian hey! would love to help you learn more about Andover/Exeter and would be happy to connect you with other people from other schools! feel free to email me at jchenexeter (at) gmail (dot) com
Has anyone here taken the SSAT yet? Or signed up for it? It seems you have to sign up, choose in person or at home test, and pay BEFORE seeing the available dates. So strange! What are your experiences with SSAT sign up or test taking so far this year?
@Calliemomofgirls I signed up a few weeks back for the October 24 date! Ive never signed up before so I dont know the normal process BUT my process was going through and clicking everything that you needed. It was quite simple really. Then we paid. Then once I was done with everything I just needed to click on the “my test” section on the SSAT website. Once there I went to where it says “when your test is”(or something along those lines) and it redirected me to a page where I signed up for a specific date. Btw i am doing the SSAT at home! Hope this helped!
Anyways, I was wondering, do you have Instagram or any way to talk privately? I’m in such a similar situation and I’m applying as well! 
My Instagram is