Chance: Lawrenceville and Peddie

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Asian, female

Grade: 9th applying for 10th

SSAT: 98th for grade total, 99th for gender. Verbal was lowest at 87th but reading was 99th due to full score. Minimal prepping.

Grades: 1 B each in 7th and 8th, a few A-s and the rest are As. All As during first trimester of 9th. Biggest concern is a single C in 7th grade Spanish. (Previous school had much easier Spanish course, current school won’t let me switch class level) Currently go to a pretty rigorious prep school.

Interests:
-8 years of piano, didn’t talk about it much because was never passionate about it, nothing to show for it.
-4 years of school band clarinet.
-5 going on 6 years of choir. Am currently in schools Honor choir (meets every school day and hour before normal classes) + highest level in another youth choir.
-Math: started peaking in interest in 7th grade. Attended 2 years of CTY summer programs (two time high honors on cty testing) and currently does intermediate algebra on AOPS out of interest. My dream is to study theoretical math one day. To be honest, I disliked math competitions but will likely prepare for them anyways now because of college admissions. Am currently in Precalc.
-Self taught digital artist and hobby writer; nothing to show but has been doing it for 3 years now. I guess it shows being self driven? Ehh? Not sure if links to show art progress works on here.
-first summer volunteering at Hun Camp. Plan on continuing, along with seeking tutoring opportunities once I’m older.
-tennis for 7-8 years
-hosted a club once

Peddie Interview: honestly I had a great time and talked about almost all of my interests and why I wanted to go. I had a lovely time with the parents and my interviewer. The tour was great too. The things I forgot to say we’re mentioned in the essays.

Lawrenceville Interview: largely well too, though I could’ve been more conversational in interview and less stiff. I could’ve been more friendly as well, as I’m a person who tends to come off as aloof. As it was after Peddie, I got more experience and mentioned things I forgot previously.

Recommendations: my biggest issue is that I’m not much of a group worker. Also, Im not sure if my math teacher spoke well of me or not, as I have some internal dispute with him due to differing opinions of mathematical field importance’s, though I’m not sure if he knows. Personal recommendation was my choir conductor in two choirs of 3 years .

Other notables:
-first gen immigrant, moved when 9, and am billingual. I mentioned it but didn’t emphasize on it much. This somewhat explains my bad vocab
-my biggest concern is that I don’t have any awards to show for my interests. Also, severe lack of volunteering/community works.
-had some issues with my recommendation forms where teachers turned it in late
-application was largely pushed by me, sparked by recent curriculum changes in my school, but many other reasons involved as well.

Applying for 10th isn’t a great spot to be already, but I’d still love to hear some feedback for the future and stuff. I’m waitlisted for Lakeside and Overlake, but since those two don’t reserve spots for 10th, no idea if someone even got in to 10th yet.

2

You seem like a competitive applicant, although it’s honestly impossible to chance anyone. I’d send those art links, but it might be too late already:(
Yeah, 10th isn’t the easiest grade to apply- may I ask why you didn’t choose to apply as a repeat?
Anyways, good luck on M10- 17 more day >-<

3

@doodlebean8
Ah sorry, I meant that I’m not sure how links work on this site; I sent them to the schools before the deadline.
I’ve actually considered repeating a year; the main reason I ended up choosing not to is my main motive of applying was having issues with my current school. It’s a great school, but if there’s a possibility to do better, why not try? However, I admit that I’m not in desperate need to get into either of the above schools. Plus, my long term hope is to one day pursue academic studies of my own interest beyond college, which I believe I can start early on in these schools. Taking a repeat year would negate any “getting ahead” in this goal if that makes sense. :’) Also, then my parent’s will have to pay an extra year. Perhaps I should’ve but … :confused:
Thank you- and yeah, just short enough to not forget but too long of a wait still.

4

I’m going to be honest. Being asian and needing financial aid is a very tough demographic. There are plenty of full pay asians, and as it is you are considered over-represented (ORM).

The good thing is that you’re first generation, so that might help. Lville doesn’t take many Asians that need aid, not sure about Peddie. But it sounds like you have solid plans in case either of these don’t work out.

Best of luck!

5

Is OP seeking financial aid ?

@iotaRay: Your strengths are your SSAT scores & your geographical diversity.

Your weakness is that you claim to be aloof & have differences with one of your instructors.

My best guess is that you will be admitted due to your geographical diversity, status as a full-pay applicant, and superb SSAT scores.

6

@Publisher @sgopal2
I’m very lucky to not need aid.

Yeaahhh, Im pretty reserved and introverted so it takes a bit for me to warm up.

7

Both are great schools. Good luck.

8

Ok great, that makes your chances a lot better. Lawrenceville adds about 30 students between Form 2 and Form 3. Good luck

9

Applying to be a new sophomore improves your chances (a lot more people apply as a freshman, so it isn’t as competitive). Your SSAT scores are strong and your grades won’t hurt you. A weakness may be lack of specific achievements in ecs, but you’ve shown commitment in a lot of activities. Seems like you have a good chance, good luck!

10

Thank you for everyone who responded! I can’t believe there are only two days left…