Well, I guess my daughter is not in the recruited athlete category. She talked to two coaches regarding sailing (really, I didn’t even think to tape a regatta!) and another about lacrosse–which she has only played for a year or so and just made a club team. So, yes, I agree with Roofus123 in that some sports may be harder and also with GoatMama in that your daughter is definitely already an athletic recruit. Music videos anyone?
Sailing! Now that’s cool!
Yep, like two schools offer decent teams though. . . AND she is not happy about the thought of wearing a dry suit and sailing in the NE in April amongst the icebergs.
Regarding music videos: We put together a short video with excerpts from 3 or 4 piano performances. Choate requires that videos are no more than 3 minute long, so you’re quite limited anyway.
A couple of years ago, another student of GK1’s piano teacher submitted a DVD of past performances as part of his application to a BS frequently mentioned on this board. According to his mom, it nearly cost him an admission, as that particular BS’s music director deemed him too advanced and didn’t think that their program would be beneficial to the student and help him advance. His honest advice was to homeschool and apply to Julliard. So, a word of caution to the music prodigies out there.
Oh my gosh. That is most definitely a first world problem! My daughter is nothing short of level four. No worries about a prodigy in the making here!
Two years ago, I took level 6/8, and I passed. Since then, I’ve stopped playing the piano. Should I still emphasize that I’m a good piano player? Thanks!
@krvin12 Most schools say that video materials should be from a recent performance, and the forms ask for accomplishments within the past 2 years. Obviously there is room for interpretation, but you may want to focus on current strengths that you can tie to passions. Piano may not have been your passion if you dropped it. I find that the application assesses a candidate’s sense of judgment as much as his/her accomplishments.
Yes @itcannotbetrue my my daughter has videos of her playing her instrument as a group both in an orchestra and ensemble. She doesn’t take private lessons and being busy with her sport, school, and this process, she has not recorded a solo piece. She also sings in her all school chorus and select group and I “taped” (I know the age thing:)) her holiday concerts for all of them. Again, not a hook with the talented musicians out there but a piece of her portfolio so to speak.
It’s tough applying from China – I would guess 99% of applicants from there have stats equivalent to yours. Your ECs should stand out. All these prep schools love athletes (because Ivy colleges do!), so the secret secret secret of getting into the best boarding schools and the best colleges is really play a sport really well (violinists need not apply). I mean, really well.
@makennacompton I’m a domestic student, but my school is located in China (it’s an American school).
My advice still stands: be an athlete. Harvard has 41 Division 1 athletic teams and has to fill 'em!
Whether domestic or foreign, I think you will be lumped into the Chinese pool with the regular Chinese.
@makennacompton I just had a few interviews, and I’ve definitely focused on my sports. I talked about one of my hobbies (programming, robotics, etc) and they seemed particularly interested.
A question. I don’t know whether this is good or not, but the interviewer (after our interview) took me on a small tour with my parent. They showed me their facilities (since I had mentioned that I was looking for schools that had good labs/classrooms).
Is it normal for interviewers to take you on private tours? Is this a good thing? I had definitely mentioned that I was interested in their science/math programs. and they encouraged me to take a look at their facilities.
Had you already gone on a tour before the interview with a student tour guide? I know that some schools do not schedule actual tours after January 1 so that may be why the interviewer. Otherwise, a good sign!
@krvin12 What school was it? I know that for Andover/Exeter you usually go on a tour regardless (I don’t know for the other schools)
@MAandMEmom @dckx15 I went on a tour in the summer (as a 7th grader) and the building was not there yet. She introduced me to the professor working there.
In the summer, I talked to her about my passions for engineering/robotics, so when I came back today, she personally took me to the facility. Is this sort of strange? Is it a good thing? (She remembered my name and my interests).
@krvin12 It’s not a typical occurence, but it is definitely a good thing (if an AO remembers you personally, that might get your application out of the “Read Later” pile)
@dckx15 Thanks! I’m hoping that she remembers me (we talked a lot during the summer). By the way, out of curiosity, are you also applying to high school here?
I’m applying to Andover and Exeter
and a few others that aren’t on your list
@dckx15 Oh, nice! Maybe I’ll see you (it’s a small world after all)… Are you done with your interviews/essays?