I’m in grade 8 and just started looking at boarding schools last week (sorta late I know) and I’m thinking of applying to these schools:
Cate
St Paul’s
Mercersburg
Emma Willard (maybe)
Taft
I go to a private school (Spence) in NY. Here’s some other stuff:
Stats:
Grades: Mostly A’s but I have a few B’s and a C managed to creep in.
GPA: 3.49 (ugh)
Sports: I’ve done soccer for 5 years and I’m not very good. No awards or anything like that.
Academic things:
Math: AMC 8 honor roll last year, qualified for AIME this year. Made it to MATHCOUNTS chapter last year.
Debate: On the debate team since last year, I got 2nd at a competition.
Other ECs:
I’ve volunteered at a food bank for over 50 hours.
I also tutor kids in math at school.
I’m an Asian female living in NY and from what I’ve read on here that’s not very good for my application.
Things I am worried about: Grades, the fact that I have no athletic ability, and lack of a ‘passion’. (Rereading this, it kind of seems like math is my passion/hook but it’s more of a hobby, not something I’m actually serious about.)
George School has a very successful math team and would like your volunteer experience. And they are generous with FA. It’s a bit of an overlap with Mercersburg (both have very nurturing communities.) I know it’s not your question, but it could be a good fit (which means decent odds.)
I would guess your odds are good at Mercersburg and EWS. The other two are harder to say.
I don’t know you and I’m a prospective student myself, but I think you should try applying to some single-sex schools. They have higher acceptance rates. No offense, but Taft usually only accepts straight A students. That being said, your math abilities seem very good, and you should consider taking it more seriously if you want to go to boarding school. The need for FA is also a struggle. At the end of the day, no one can tell you if you’ll get in or not. Hope you go to your dream school!
Your comment about grades might not be accurate in this case. @apply2school is currently a student at a private (all girls) school, and AOs might realize this, and understand that there’s less grade inflation on the transcript.
I do think that she should “dig deeper” a determine why * she wants to apply to boarding school, given she already is a student at a private school, in a city with wonderful private schools. Finding that *why will give her direction and focus in the application process.
I just have a “passion” comment. Most 13/14 year olds don’t have a passion. No AO asked us what either of my kids’ passion was. They ask about subjects they like, ec’s they like. What they enjoy doing out of school. You need to be interesting and have things to talk about but most BSs assume they are the place you might find your passion, or at least a direction.
You need an application that shows who you are in a well organized manner. But having a passion at 13 is silly. Interests yes!
As an asian-american parent of asian american kids, from my experience it is going to be tough just because of how you will be grouped (the most competitive group) and also bc you need FA and it has nothing to do with your grades or ECs so make sure your list has a range of schools with regards to admission rates (which I think it already does so good for you). I think you’ve got a good start for your list; take a look also at yourself and why you want to go to a new school and what YOU are looking for (living with your peers, more progressive environment, larger group of kids, co-ed system, environmental study opportunities etc). That will help you find the right set of schools, if you decide to move on. I would also (as I’ve suggested elsewhere) take a look at the black@XYZ instagram sites for the schools you are looking at. The one at Taft is especially concerning in some areas.
I got my SSAT results back today, didn’t do well AT ALL. 74th percentile overall (51st reading, 98 math, 50th verbal). I’m taking it again on October 18 which gives me 2-ish weeks. I didn’t expect it to be that bad and I didn’t really study. I’ll try to get the reading and verbal percentiles to around 65. I know it’s going to be extremely hard for me to get in the schools I have right now but I don’t think I’ll edit the list. I’ve looked at schools with a high acceptance rate but I think it’ll be better for me to stay at the school I’m at than go to those schools.
@applying2schools I’m sure you know this but most of the schools on your list do not require SSATs this year. At least one (Cate) won’t even allow you to submit it.
Also – just to bring in another perspective on the schools you mention with higher admission rates – If it’s “better for you to stay at your current school” for any school other than the five on your list, then it might be “better for you to stay at your current school” for those five schools too. I say this with zero snark. There is truly nothing magical about the schools on your list, and there are LOTS of schools that have similar acceptance rates, similar offerings, similar community benefits. The biggest difference between your current school and these schools is that they are boarding schools, and with that model comes a whole slew of things. Those things are true for many, many boarding schools, not just those very specific five. (Which, TBH, do not seem to follow any one theme. Meaning, it’s not like you are saying, I’m leaving my home school to go pursue horseback riding, and these are the five best horseback riding schools. Your list is a bit all-over. Not a bad thing, actually, because it means you are attracted to a wide variety of options.)
I suppose the bottom line is: Boarding school is a VERY different animal from your current school situation. IF that is really what you want, then I would strongly suggest adding a few to your list – Not necessarily schools that are “easier” to get into; but just a few more schools to give yourself more chances, because no school is a sure thing. But, if ALL schools outside of those 5 feel like it’s “not worth” leaving your current schooling, then I have to wonder if perhaps the whole boarding school model isn’t what you are looking for.
I really mean this as helpful re-framing. If this doesn’t feel helpful, then of course, ignore.
BTW – regarding SSATs – my daughter improved drastically on verbal every time she took it (3 times). Started in the 30’s and that was in November! (and she’s at her first choice low-admit school now.) So don’t feel at all stressed.
Update- Due to a family issue I am not going to apply. My parents really want me to go to online school next year though, specifically Stanford Online High School. I’m applying there & if I don’t get in I will most likely go to a public online school.
@Calliemomofgirls I might apply next year to boarding school but I’ll keep your comment in mind when making that decision
Good luck @applying2schools, it sounds like a lot is going on right now. Just hang in there. I think one HUGE difference between your current school and BS is that boys are there, so that is key.
I got my SSAT scores back did much better (all percentiles were above 80)
A couple questions-
Does current teacher/school support matter much? I’m going to a public school (not online) now because of reasons beyond my control and while lots of students at this school apply to prep/boarding schools the teachers are not supportive at all (my recommendations are from last year’s teachers so I think they’ll be find).
Also, does anyone know if not having a good ‘reason’ to go to SOHS will affect my chances? I know that lots of people applying either are serious athletes/musicians/etc. who travel a lot for games/performances/etc. or live in places where there’s no (or few) ‘good’ schools. That’s not really the case for me though.
@lilyesh I am a student at Taft and I know FOR A FACT that they will let a few B’s here and there slide, maybe some C’s as well. @applying2schools please PM me, I can definitely help you out!
My daughter attends OHS and there are a number of students that are not serious athletes/musicians/etc but they are very advanced academically.
The first time my daughter applied for 8th grade she was turned down and she had straight A’s high, test scores, excellent LOR, strong ECs, and good essays. When she applied for 10th grade she was able to demonstrate she had a strong social network and support system.
The workload at OHS is heavy. My daughter came from an elite private school in the DC area never had did more than an hour of work a night and managed to get straight A’s in with the most difficult classes offered. Now between her ECs and her workload she has almost no time for anything else.
OHS is the right school for the right student. If you are very organized and self motivated you will do well.
did much better (all percentiles were above 80)