Chance me and suggest other boarding schools?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
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<p>Hello, I have posted a chance thread a while back on this forum. Since then, I've cast my net wider and looked into more boarding schools. For those of you who have not read my previous thread, here is what my current application looks like:</p>

<p><em>I am attending grade 8 this September at a public middle school</em></p>

<p>Grades: straight As, except for technology education (mostly hands-on things such as woodwork), home economics and drama. I used to have straight C+s in gym in grade 3-5, but in grade 6 and 7 I've bumped that up to straight As.</p>

<p>SSATs: Haven't taken them yet, but I've taken practice tests. Reading analysis is my strong point and I've consistently stayed above the 90th percentile. Math is about 70th - 90th percentile? My vocabulary is very weak, and I personally think my essays are terrible. Admittedly, I don't think I've done very well. I am currently attending an intensive two-week prep course. Hopefully that will improve my scores.</p>

<p>ECs:
- Piano for 7 or 8 years, only in level 8, planning to take level 9 in April or June. Will attend a competition in January.
- Attending a competitive jazz class this school year with no prior experience.
- In a regional swim team, but has won no awards.
- Planning to join many clubs and ECs offered at my school; was unable to last year because the teachers went on job action (the BC teachers job action). Will update.
- Attends art class
- Trying to look for opportunities for community service, I will join Me to We in my school if I have an opportunity</p>

<p>(Have you been thinking that I've got to have a hook somewhere? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you.)</p>

<p>Awards: None! Except for a virtual science fair award and some things from before grade 5. Not impressive.</p>

<p>Personality & Interview: I have to admit, I am not that confident. Even my parents tell me not to expect an outstanding interview. They see me as a shy introvert. Honestly, I'm rather outgoing, but I have a bad habit of hesitating and stumbling on my words. Suggestions and advice for a good interview would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>THE CATCH: International student (from Canada) wanting/needing financial aid (my parents would definitely prefer it)</p>

<p>Schools I'm interested in: Culver Academies, Asheville School, Cushing Academy, Cheshire Academy, Brentwood College School (Canadian), Shawnigan Lake School, Grier School (All-girls), Mercersburg Academy (uncertain about applying, since it is so selective), Chatham Hall (All-girls), Fountain Valley School etc. (I have looked into many, many schools and have a long list.)</p>

<p>If there are any match or safety schools for me, please feel free to tell me! It would be great if they are located in Canada, it would increase my chances by a lot more. If any of these schools I'm interested in seems like too much of a reach, PLEASE tell me. Do not worry about being too harsh, hurting my feelings etc. Criticism is welcomed and encouraged! The worst thing would be to give me false confidence. I would hate for someone to get my hopes up only to receive a heap of rejection letters!</p>

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<p>If you were not an international student, I’d say you’re a strong candidate for all of the schools…</p>

<p>But who knows! You only need to fill out one app and send them to 5-6 other schools. Any reasons why you haven’t lookd into schools with higher selectivity like Andover/Deerfield?</p>

<p>Also, I don’t know but I’ve always loved this school - check out St. Andrew’s (DE).</p>

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<p>I’ve looked into them, and I may apply to them if it’s convenient (Aka I don’t have to fill out another form), but I’m not reliant on getting into any of those schools.</p>

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<p>Loomis would be good</p>

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<p>You may want to try at least one or two highly selective schools. I mean they are hard to get into, but you could be a candidate for them! </p>

<p>By the way, the application looks fine. I think it’s great. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I’ve just attempted another SSAT practice test… I got an overall score of 2040, which puts me in the 69th percentile. :frowning: This is my scores for the individual sections:
Vocabulary: 630’s or so. 40th percentile…
Math: 700+ about 75th percentile
Reading: 680 69th percentile</p>

<p>Yeah. Worst practice test scores ever. I cannot believe that I had done so badly on the reading comprehension…</p>

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<p>And by the way, I wouldn’t like to waste my time applying to the top schools and end up with a rejection letter. I wouldn’t mind if it was only one or two, but I seriously do not want more than that. So far I’m planning to apply to Phillips Exeter and Cate/Choate Rosemary.</p>

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<p>^ worst mentality ever. Better getting a rejection than forever wondering.</p>

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<p>Well would you like to be rejected by every school and wonder whether or not you could’ve gotten in if you applied to less selective schools?</p>

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<p>I’m sorry if I hadn’t mentioned this before, but I’m not planning to apply to more than 10 or so schools.</p>

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<p>That’s why you should apply to safeties, matches and reaches.</p>

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<p>You have chosen a good group of schools. Without knowing you beyond what you have posted about yourself, I would say that you have made a smart choice not to apply to the schools that reject more than 8O% of their applicants. As an international student hoping for aid, your road to acceptance is already going to be an extremely tricky one. I think you are wise to target schools that have room to appreciate what you bring to the table.</p>

<p>If you know how, spend some time searching the archives of these boards. You will get a lot of advice about interviews, and you will find mention of some of the schools on your list.</p>

<p>Finally, as a teacher, it makes me sad to see how much you run yourself down when talking about yourself. I know that some of it is defensive, but I want to say, I think you are brave to post a resume which sounds like the resume of a normal kid. I promise you, the schools you are looking at are not expecting you to get all As, win national awards, play 4 sports seriously, be the star of the theater as well as the orchestra, and spend all your free time flying overseas to comfort orphans.</p>

<p>Chin up. It is very, very hard to get financial aid admission overseas, but you have a smart strategy with the schools you have chosen, and I hope it works out. If not, you have some great Canadian schools on your list too.</p>

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<p>@Albion, thank you! And I would love to have some low matches…</p>

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<p>One more thing, you will progress as you take more SSATs. It’s really just an endurance exam used to see if you can take a test. If you’re sick reschedule and for vocab, study latin roots and other words. Elaborate on what you did wrong and you won’t make the mistake again. Good luck.</p>

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<p>@PrepQWill thanks for the advice. I’ll remember that. </p>

<p>Also, does anyone know any good international schools in the United States? Would it be easier to get into than a regular boarding school?</p>