Can i get into Hotchkiss, Deerfield, Groton, or Saint Paul's

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I’m going into 9th Grade (currently in 8th grade)

Classes and Grades:
Pre-Chemistry - 98
US History - 96
Honors English - 94
Honors Geometry - 94
Honors Algebra 2 - 90
Spanish II - 96
(I’m taking 2 math classes it was optional too)

Sports:
Soccer: 5 years
Golf: 7 years
baseball: 3 years

School Awards
History Award 7th Grade
Geography Award 7th Grade
Honor role 6th, 7th, and so far 8th grade

Member of:
National Junior Honor Society
John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

Leadership Roles:
Treasurer of Student council
Treasurer of school chapter of Nation Junior Honor Society

Upper SSAT Score: 98% percentile

Haven’t done the interviews yet but my first one is in 2 days so I can give updates

2

Probably/solid chance of getting in somewhere. What I see missing is any activity that benefits someone other than you. Do you have any community service?

3

yes

I worked probably 10 hours a week with a group called NOSH this summer

I also organize and help with a lot of events with the National Junior Honors Society

Upcoming to Christmas I work with New Hope Charities were we give out toys to children in need

4

You are well qualified academically and with respect to extracurricular activities (ECs) for all of these schools.

In my opinion, the focus then switches to an assessment of maturity as reflected in your application essays and in teacher recommendations.

My best guess is that you will do well in the admissions process (especially since someone needs to put Hotchkiss’ golf course to use).

5

Welcome! You tick a lot of boxes academically. Would love to see passion in one or more pursuit (it may be there…just not clear from your post). FA status will be a factor, as will ORM/URM status.

PLEASE read through the many chance-me threads until you find ones wherein parents patiently walk through the STRONG recommendation that you broaden your search to include more schools including some that are less competitive for entry. Every year these schools reject 80+% of their applicants. Think about that. Then think about this: many of them have stats that look just like yours. And they don’t get in either. You’re qualified! But there’s no such thing as a shoe-in (unless there’s something you’re not telling us).

Not trying to discourage you. Trying to help you see the importance of broadening your search so that you have options M10. You can do it!

6

What do you mean by FA status and ORM/URM status? And what do you mean by passion in one or more pursuit?

7

“FA status” = financial aid status = do you need significant financial aid or are you a “FP” full pay student ?

ORM = over represented minority (usually refers to Asian students)

URM = under represented minority such as African American, Hispanic, or Native American

8

The other poster’s comment about “passion in one or more pursuit” refers to consistent involvement in one or more typically non-academic pursuits such as a particular sport, theatre/acting, music, writing, and other activities.

I detect passion in multiple sports/athletics.

@Ben443: You are a very well rounded applicant (academics, leadership, & sports); I think that you are likely to be accepted by one or more schools on your list.

The other poster is urging you to add more schools to your list because admission to Groton, St. Paul’s, Hotchkiss, and Deerfield are quite competitive with respect to admissions.

My view is that if these are the only schools that are of interest to you, then your list is fine so long as you are willing to attend a local school if not admitted to any of your target schools.

9

well I am Hispanic as my grandfather and grandmother are both born in Cuba but I look very white

10

I forgot to mention two first cousins both went to Deerfield and recently graduated

11

Still counts.

That’s helpful. It doesn’t make you a shoe in, but including that info is (usually) a positive.

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12

you have good extracurriculars. Add more schools which has greater acceptance rate to increase your chances.

13

To @Ben443 , do mention your cousins who are recent graduates. Deerfield likes students are well-rounded, interesting In their background/experience/story, and who can contribute to the school community. They also place value on the essays - they really do read them and have been told it is a very important component of your application. It has been our experience that the majority of Deerfield students are involved in athletics and/or dance - many student do sports in addition to some performing art. We know many students who are multi-Varsity sport athletes. The nice thing about DA (at least when we applied) was their flexibility to allow our student to participate in multiple sports and performing arts. If you have any interest in visual arts, their program is fantastic even though it’s not well known. The full package. The soccer program is strong BTW, if you are interested. Feel free to DM me should you have questions.

14

this is so funny because you seem like a replica of myself. i took honors algebra 2 my eighth grade year, (took geometry the previous year i had skipped a couple times), played a little gold, won bunches of awards in my middle school (got valedictorian) went to CTY and i was an officer for two years for NJHS pretty similar to be honest. i applied to deerfield late and got in as a new sophomore. my point is not that just because we are similar you will get in as well, actually its quite the opposite. my point is that I so easily found this forum and we have pretty similar stats and activities, so your essays better sell who you are because how does that stuff make you any different from others. dont take this the wrong way- i mean it very sympathetically but truthfully. applications this year have ironically increased yet acceptances have decreased since schools have less space because many of them are trying to create single dorm rooms for each student. on a positive note, if it worked for me it can absolutely work for you too and i hope it does. God Bless

1 Like
15

You have a really solid profile! If you also have good interviews and good essays then you have a strong chance of getting into at least one of these schools. Groton and Deerfield will probably want you slightly more because of soccer and baseball. That being said, I got into school pre-COVID and I am not sure how admissions have changed, but from what I’ve heard they have become significantly more competitive. But remember that your essays basically carry you. Write great essays that show yourself as a passionate and fun kid and AOs will love it. Especially for Groton; they really like if you’re humble and likeable (being funny is extra points), most of the kids here are popular and get along super well with teachers and faculty. Good luck!