Hi everyone,
I’m a male, rising sophomore, so far looking to apply to Andover, Exeter, and Deerfield for 11th grade (I know there are many fewer spots). If you guys could also let me know of some other good boarding schools to apply to, that’d be awesome.
Stats:
GPA - 4.0/4.0
SSAT- haven’t taken it yet but aiming for 85% percentile
-Also, is it a better choice to take the SSAT over the ISEE, or vice versa, or is there no difference?
Athletics:
Used to be top ranked squash player for age division in state and NE, top 20 nationally ranked.
-Haven’t played as much due to schoolwork but would like to pick it back up.
-Two years of JV rowing
Extracurricular:
Latin Club Officer
Ping Pong Club President
Multiple time State Latin quiz bowl champion
National Latin Quiz Bowl Finalist
National Latin Honor Society
Sorry for the long post but thanks for helping out 
If you are top 20 in your sport, my advice, fwiw, is to stay where you are (or find a day school in your area) so you can keep training. That is likely to be your best ticket to any of the selective colleges, and based on your BS list, selectivity /prestige are important to you.
If you truly want to go to BS and are doing it for the education, there is a thread you should be able to find from a student looking for squash. Not all schools have this, so that will eliminate many options.
I am sure others can point you to specific schools.
I think that if you are focusing on the top 30 or so schools (however you define that) the overwhelming majority will have squash. Often schools will list on their website where their graduates are playing in college. There are some very competitive programs out there. Even if your long term goal is not to play in college, your talent will likely be a hook at many boarding schools.
Being a nationally ranked squash player would be impressive and a “hook” in your application. The schools you listed do offer squash programs.
Also, either SSAT or ISEE is acceptable for your application. However, I think most people take the SSAT because the ISEE can be taken only once.
i did research quite a bit about the ssat and isee, and by what i’ve found, these are some things you might want to consider when picking which test to do:
ssat: you can take it as often as you want, the verbal/english is more difficult than the isee verbal, on the reading comp. there is both nonfiction and fiction
isee: can only be taken once, isee math is more difficult than ssat math, on the reading comp. there is only nonfiction
i do believe the schools take sat scores for applying eleventh graders? i’m not completely sure, so don’t take my word for that without double checking
i myself am applying as a freshman to some boarding schools, such as exeter, andover, choate, deerfield, hotchkiss, and middlesex, i chose to take the ssat
Honestly, based on your info, I’d suggest repeating 10th grade or just staying where you are. if you want the boarding school experience you’ll have to do the research. The schools to which you are applying have very few spots and you would need outstanding characteristics to get in ( academic or sports wise) for 10th grade. For 11th grade, I really don’t see the point. College is looming ahead and the guidance and staff need time to get to know you. For the money your parents will spend you want to make sure you get the experience. That’s what I would tell my kiddo. I might say, hey go on interviews and apply but you are a little bit late so don’t be disappointed if you don’t get an acceptance. There are also ways to determine exactly how many are accepted for Junior year. It’s a really really low number at those schools.
Hi @balbinusthrax , here are my thoughts…
- I agree with one point @Happytimes2001 made… I would recommend applying as a 10th grader. This will help your chances of getting accepted tremendously. If you read some of my other replies, you will see that I have made the case for just about anyone wanting to be admitted to a tippy-top boarding school. Applying to these schools is already really competitive, and trying as an 11th grader is especially tough. The average SSAT scores for these schools are above 90%, so if possible try shooting for a higher percentile.
- If you really were a top 20 Nationally ranked squash player, get back on the courts. This, in my opinion, is your biggest hook. If you are fortunate enough to get admitted to Andover or Exeter or Deerfield, and are a top player on one their teams, you will further help your chances immeasurably getting into college. Most of the Ivy Leagues and most of the NESCAC schools field squash teams. If you are a strong squash player AND a grad of one of these schools, you have a really a great chance at college. Both of my sisters played squash for NESCAC schools. Mr. Palfrey, the Head of Andover, was on the squash team at Harvard. Squash is a well respected sport in these colleges, and since it is not widely played throughout the country (as you know), being a top player and graduating from Andover/Exeter/Deerfield might give you a competitive advantage.
Best of luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi @CallieMom, thanks for the advice! What are the logistics of repeating a grade/ how would I go about applying to 10th grade at these schools if I’m in 10th grade currently? Thanks for the help again!
Just check the box for 10th as the year you are applying for. It’s that simple. Lots of kids repeat for a variety of reasons.
@balbinusthrax , @gardenstategal is correct, just check the grade on your applications. One other thought…if you have the potential to be a top 20 player again (or close to it), I would reach out the Squash coaches at each of the schools. If a coach knew they could have you for 3 years to support their team, they might put in a good word for you with the Admissions Dept. Also, have you looked at St. Paul’s School? They take their squash very seriously (as they do rowing) and academically they are on par with Andover, Exeter, and Deerfield.
Again, it is quite common to repeat in BS. You won’t be alone and it will give you that extra year to “up your game” on your SATs and take more advanced courses.
Best of luck!
Consider adding St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire & the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey (I believe that Lawrenceville has a close relationship with Princeton University both for Squash & for academics).
Assuming that you do apply to all 5 schools (Andover, Exeter, St, Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy & Lawrenceville), be sure to visit each one to which you are accepted before committing as the environments are noticeably different in my opinion.
If you are not sought after based on a “hook” such as URM status or as a recruited athlete, I agree that you will need to score higher than an 85% on the SSAT.
P.S. Other schools to consider: Hotchkiss in Conn. & Choate Rosemary Hall–although I have no knowledge about whether squash is a varsity sport at either school. I suspect that it is–but this is easy to check via the internet.
P.P.S. Also, does “NE” signify New England or North East as Lawrenceville is not in New England.
@balbinusthrax : If I were young again, I would consider the Kent School in Connecticut based on its gorgeous campus, setting, athletics & academics.
Prep boarding schools such as St. Paul’s School, Andover, Exeter & Groton are very demanding academically. Very demanding to the point that Ivy League schools offer a bit of relief from the academic pressure.
Schools such as the Taft School, Kent, Loomis Chaffee & many others all offer an outstanding education rarely found elsewhere without the academic stress of the four schools listed in the paragraph above. Graduating from any of these listed schools equips one to handle the demands of the nation’s most elite colleges & universities.
If schoolwork prohibited you from competing in squash at your current school, then you need to expand your list of prep boarding schools. On the flip side, you will be required to participate in a sport at most prep schools plus, as a boarding student, you will have more time to study since there is no time lost in commuting.
Additionally, you do not have an SSAT score. Many who score in the 70s become professionals such as doctors & lawyers so it is not wise to assume that one will score in the mid-80s or higher even though a straight A student currently.