Boarding Schools?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>
[quote]

Hello, I am a graduated senior attending college this fall.
I am here to help my rising 8th grade brother for prep school admissions.</p>

<p>Could someone help me here?</p>

<p>Stats:
(Due to privacy reasons, I left some parts out)
1. Most difficult courseload: 14 subjects, As and A-s. One C+ in Art (GPA around 3.5-3.6)
2. Played an instrument from third grade, played in school orchestra
3. State sports champion (I won't mention which discipline this is, sorry :P)
4. Taking 2 APs this year (Self-studies)
5. Prepped PSAT from 6th grade
6. Student Government President: 6th grade</p>

<p>My questions:
1. We are looking for very good to average boarding schools which are need-blind
2. We are internationals, and ORMs (Asians). But we are applying from Europe.
3. When should my brother take the SSAT/ISSE? What are they?
4. Does he have to take the TOEFL?
5. If he wants to enroll starting 9th grade, could someone post a good schedule for applications?
6. Will the admissions officers take a look at his elementary school stats? Or only one transcript? (Only 7th grade)
7. Interviews... My parents can't speak English, and we live in Europe!!
Are they a "must"?
8. I really don't understand this process at all. They will only judge my brother by his 7th grade transcript and extracurriculars?!</p>

<p>Thank you so much. My brother has no idea, and I want to help him out, since I am going to college this fall already. Unfortuntely, our parents are supportive but they have no idea about this process (father's job makes the family travel a lot around the world; and we don't want my brother's education to have any gaps,..etc)</p>

<p>Thank you once again!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Since this is a pre-college issue, I wanted to ask the fellow high schoolers as well on this matter. I already posted a similar thread in the Prep School Forum. Is anyone familiar with boarding schools?</p>

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<p>I guess I will bump this for attention.</p>

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<p>Your brother’s academics seem very good overall- it’s impressive he’s taking APs in middle school, though his GPA is a bit low. I think he has a good shot of getting into wherever he applies.
I don’t know what the SSAT is…do you mean SAT, or is it something different? The SAT’s a test he won’t have to worry about for awhile. You don’t take it until your junior year of high school.
The ISEE is a basic entrance exam for private schools. I took it when I was applying to private school, and it’s not very difficult. If I remember correctly, 6th through 8th graders take the same test, and 9th-12th graders take the same test. So, he should be prepared to answer 8th grade level math and reading questions. He won’t be expected to have as high of a score as an 8th grader.
I don’t know very much about TOEFL, but I assume he will have to take it.
Applications are usually accepted for the next school year starting in November or December and accepted up until March or April. Apply early so you can secure your financial aid and have plenty of time to schedule test dates.
I’m also not totally sure about which transcripts that will be required. They may want to only see 6th and 7th grade (which are traditionally middle school in the US) but they may also want to see all of his elementary grades. Ask the admissions department of the schools that you pick about this.
I’m sure if you explain that your parents don’t speak english, the school won’t require an interview. Admissions departments are usually very accommodating of applicants.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your kind reply.
SSAT: Secondary School Admissions Test, I think.</p>

<p>I think this is because we have his grades down in the European system. I have never heard of anyone taking 14 classes a year in 7th grade (my brother did).</p>

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<p>Ah, thank you!</p>