Chance me for Hotchkiss and Andover? Grades?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi, I would really appreciate any response!
I am applying for 10th grade and Hotchkiss and Andover are my first choice schools.
My strongest EC’s are music and languages. I play the piano for 5 years and I go to music school. I am probably going to send a recording of my playing with the application.
I also speak 2 foreign languages plus my native language. I am currently at a language focused program at my high school, where I am studying 5 languages (the 3 I just mentioned, plus Latin and Russian).
Other EC’s are different clubs I do at school (most of them are focused around languages and music, but I also do Biology club etc.)
Another thing I believe is on the plus side is that I am an international student, applying from a small country in Eastern Europe. I think none of the schools have a student from my country.
I did my interviews and I think all went pretty well.
My SSAT scores are not in yet, but I think I did well.

Now, the thing I am very concerned about are my grades, which have dropped significantly since I started high school, this September. I have had all A’s every year until this one. This year my grades are going to be mostly A’s and B’s, but then also some C’s and even D’s.
Please note that this is a very common thing to happen to students at my school in their first semester. I go to the most selective and competitive school in my country, but I am not sure if the admissions officers are going to understand that… or even look past my grades!

2

Oh, I forgot to mention that I also do community service and I have participated and won in many school competitions

3

I keep forgetting stuff! I am also class president at my current school, and I was class president at my middle school. I went to Hotchkiss Piano Portal. I also went to a two week summer English learning course.
And the big step back: I am applying for FA!

4

Your SSAT score will be very helpful to know. Where else are you applying?

5

I’m applying to Andover, Hotchkiss, Exeter, Choate, Loomis.
Do you think my grades for this semester could be the reason for rejection, even though my grades from past years have all been A’s?

6

Do you know of other kids that attended your school who applied to any of these? That would in theory help with regard to admissions being familiar with the rigor of your school.

7

Hi I go to Hotchkiss and we have a really great music program. So Hotchkiss will really like you because you play the piano. Your grades aren’t the best but I think if you explained the difficulty of your school and how you plan to improve it could be ok. I think the interview and your ssat score will be very important as well. If you have a really good interview and good test scores it could overshadow the grade. Good Luck!