Boarding School: Which ones should I consider going to?

Prep School Admissions
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I’ve found myself in a bit of a dilemma. I want to go to a Boarding school starting in 11th grade and there is one big question I currently have: Which boarding schools should I apply to, which is a realistic goal?

My HS is a very challenging STEM school in the center of silicon valley. I am currently a Sophomore and am struggling my way through two honors classes and one AP. Here are my current grades:
AP German - A+ - I’m a Native Speaker
Adv. English - B- (she nailed me for “self-plagiarism” when I copied a part of my essay from a character chart which I wrote, hence I got a 0 on the essay"
Wind Ensemble - Lead Trumpet
US History - A+
Honors Alg2/Trig H - A
PE - A
Chemistry Honors - B- - I’m struggling to keep my grade above a C
Jazz Ensemble - Lead Trumpet

I know these grades are not too impressive, especially considering I want to go to a top-25 college. I went to a school in DC the last semester of 9th grade while being an intern, I took the same classes I had at my HS yet received straight-As with no trouble. The DC school is known to be rigorous(ranked top 10 public school in America) yet my HS is not as-well known. It’s a weird situation and I’m starting to wonder if it’s just me :slight_smile: Btw; I have not taken any PSAT or big-time standardized tests. I am very good with interviews so I hope that won’t be a problem in any admissions process.

Recommendations should not be a problem - I have great interpersonal skills and all of my teachers love me :). My total (including 9th grade) weighted GPA is a 4.27.

As to extracurricular activities:

I have been in numerous all-state ensembles for both Jazz and Trumpet. I am known to consistently be the best in the state while holding 1st chair and Lead positions in numerous local, county, and state-level honor bands.

Furthermore, I’m very intrigued by politics. I run a Youth-Run institute which has over 250 interns focusing on pushing nonpartisanship and civil discourse through numerous initiatives. We have interviewed famous politicians and professors such as Dr. Jorgensen and HR. McMaster. I am also a right-wing libertarian, and I want to go to a school at which I won’t be ridiculed for being one. (Is this a deal-breaker? If so, I can just keep my mouth shut haha)

Final Note:

I am wondering which Boarding school is best, most reasonable, and fitting for me. I have attempted to do research over the past week but tend to not get anywhere. I am fortunate to be in a situation where the money is not a problem, though. My biggest concern right now is my academics and the fact that I am a die-hard musician/libertarian.

  1. Does anyone know my chances of going to Phillips Academy? I have a friend that goes there and he loves it.
  2. How should I address the two grades in my applications?
  3. What are some of the schools I should look into? I‘ve been looking a few weeks yet the board school system is extremely confusing.
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Very few of us can chance 11th grade applicants. In my limited experience 11th grade admits are often athletic recruits. If it’s important to you, apply to a lot of schools. Your focus on Andover is misplaced. It is one among many, not one above the rest. I’m sorry you won’t get to see that since school visits are out this year. You need to spend some time reading old threads.

I don’t think you can address the grades. Everyone knows honors chem is hard. It’s one of the hardest classes at BS too. The English teacher - that’s not explainable either. I can’t imagine a way of talking about it that isn’t going to sound bad - maybe someone else will have an idea. Are you aware that your English teacher will need to write a recommendation for you?

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Hello @one1ofeach , I understand that she will need however most schools will let you use an English or Math teacher from last year because they “know you better” due to online schooling not being as personal and many teachers don’t know their students that well. Hence, I would ask my English teacher from last year, there’s a good chance she will say yes as I was one of her favorites.

I’m hoping that a few applicants dropped out due to Covid, possibly increasing my chances.

4

There are likely to be MORE applicants this year, not fewer, so it would be foolish to hang your hat on that.

What would be wise is to realistically look at your academic record, your strengths, and what you want, and find schools that match that.