<p>I'm from Australia (obviously! :P), I'm 14 years old and I'm applying to three schools - St George's, Tabor and Hotchkiss (I wanted sailing). I'm really nervous, but I've been looking at these schools for about a year now and I feel that the schools are right for me... If any of you know of schools that have sailing as a sport or club, please tell me! I need more schools to add to the list..</p>
<p>Academics
I have more B's than A's, although I'm hoping that I've got straight A's for this semester, we'll have to see. I'm a hard worker, however it's hard for me as I have a hearing problem and wear hearing aids to hear and most of the time, it is so hard to hear the teacher at the front of the classroom because EVERYONE is talking and they can't teach when everyone is talking.</p>
<p>Athletics
I'm in my school teams for basketball (5 years), netball(5 years) and surfing (2 years in school; 7 years outside of school).. I'm hoping to try and get recruited for basketball and maybe netball and surfing could be used to my advantage as its rather rare in America (I think).</p>
<p>Arts
For the past 3 years I've taken photography classes and it's one of my favourite extra-curriculars.</p>
<p>Community Service/other ECs
I've raised money for Jump Rope for Heart, and a school that my school is building in Cambodia... In a few weeks, I'm volunteering at the horseriding for disabled people, and I really want to continue with that.
I'm also on the school newspaper as a journalist, however I've only been doing that for the past year..</p>
<p>Also, I'm turning 15 in January and I've nearly finished 9th grade (school year here ends in December). What year would I apply for next year, considering I'd be 3/4 through 10th grade by the time I left to go to over to America?</p>
<p>You have a chance. Have you taken the SSAT test? You will need to take it in order to apply to these schools, and the scores on this test will help us chance you better. Do you need financial aid? Hotchkiss is the most competitive school on your list and might be considered a “reach” school for you with some B’s. Your excurricular acitivities make you stand out which a good thing. St. George’s and Tabor are both excellent schools. If you are serious about coming to school in the States you might consider adding a few “safety” schools to your list. Salisbury, which is an all boys school in Salisbury, CT, offers varsity sailing. They practice with Hotchkiss on the same lake. Salisbury is considered somewhat less competitive. I think their acceptance rate is around 40%. It is a wonderful place, athletics are very strong and they have a great basketball program. Try to pull your grades up a little this term and take the SSAT. Good luck!</p>
<p>This is just my impression from visiting preps but I believe being from Australia will be a plus. Chelsea gave good feedback re schools. I think one of the schools you are interested in would be the best bet for figuring out what grade you should apply for. Contact them to get advice… The education systems may be such that the years are not equal in difficulty. The SSAT might give you an idea as to this as well. I would say entering into grade 10 is what they will probably advise.
St Georges is called St Gorgeous for a reason…right on the water with a beautiful campus and good academics. While it is behind Hotchkiss, it is not far behind.
I am not familiar with Netball so I can’t help there.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Netball is a derivative of basketball, generally played by women. Even though the game originated in the US it’s more popular in other parts of the world.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions people! I think I will apply to Brewster and Milton! I already looked at Concord - they don’t offer financial aid for internationals and I can’t attend Salisbury as I’m a girl, but thanks anyway. I’m going to register for the SSATs, its just very complicated as I can’t find out where they do the testing… Perhaps I should call the US embassy? There doesn’t seem to be any information on the internet.</p>