Chance me for St. Paul's!

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I am a female in the 8th grade applying for the 9th grade at St. Paul’s. I currently attend a public school in the USA. I will be requiring full financial aid based on the amount that my family makes, and I know that since St. Paul’s is not needs blind that may affect my chances. Here are my stats:

SSAT - 4th percentile or a 2235 (not sure if that’s good or not)

Grades - 6th grade my GPA was a 3.7 (unweighted), 7th grade my GPA was a 3.9. (not my best but I hope it doesn’t hurt my chances too badly.

Courses - All of the normal 8th grade courses (Physical science, Spanish 1, Language Arts, and American History). I would consider myself a bit ahead in math (at least compared to the kids in my school, not sure where I stand compared to the rest of the country), as I am taking both Geometry and Algebra 2.

Extracurriculars - I have played tennis for the past 4 years and would consider myself good for my age. I have skiied for 4 years (alpine), but only recreational and have not taken formal ski racing lessons. I have played the trumpet for 5 years and would consider myself okay, not outstanding. I also picked up the tuba this year, but I am not good at all yet. I have done cross country for the last two years, however I probably won’t continue in high school seeing as I am not good (my mile time is a little over 9 minutes). I have been on the math team for the last two years. I was on the robotics team in 6th and 7th grade, however I had to drop it because the math classes I take are at our local high school and the times clashed. I am also a cheerleader, but I doubt that will help much seeing as most prep schools that don’t offer it.

Achievements/Honors - Not much here. School wide spelling bee runner up in 7th grade. School wide geography bee runner up in 6th grade and finalist in 5th grade.

Recommendations - Very strong from my Language Arts teacher and my Guidance counselor as well as my personal rec. Not so sure about my math teacher though as they don’t know me as well.

Interview - Haven’t had mine yet, but will in the very near future.

Essays - Not bad in my opinion. I will be having my Language Arts teacher giving me their opinion.

Volunteering - This is where I’m REALLY lacking. I have volunteered a few times at a local day care with school age children, but other than that not much.

My parents are immigrants from India (which makes me a first generation immigrant I think) which I’ve heard helps as many prep schools are looking to bring more diversity to their schools.

Thank you so so so much for taking the time to read this. Please give me feedback as to whether or not I have a chance of getting in, and what I can do to improve that chance.

2

Oops! I meant 94th percentile, not 4th. Sorry for all the grammatical errors, I am typing this on my phone as my laptop needs repair.

3

Are you only applying to one school? Why?

4

My parents don’t want me to go to boarding school if it’s not close to home (they’re overprotective like that) and the tuition for Phillips Exeter or the Derryfield School is more than my parents think they could handle seeing as we don’t make that much.

5

You are well rounded & intelligent. Probably will come down to maturity level as reflected in your teacher recs & in any interview.

6

@sc2004 Try looking into Phillips Exeter, although you might me a bit late (the deadline is less than a month away). SPS and PEA have similar tuition fees (SPS is actually a bit more expensive). Even though Exeter is need-aware, they are known for being VERY generous with their financial aid.

Do not send them an essay that is just “not bad”. You want to be proud of it.

7

SPS, I believe, covers everything in the form of financial aid grants for families earning less then $125,000 per year. Last time I checked, Exeter was at $75,000–but that was a few years ago so things may have changed.

8

It’s the same, but families with higher incomes do get FA, and sometimes full FA. So I certainly would still apply if I were the OP.

9

thank you for your feedback! Any tips for the interview?

10

Relax. Be polite. Listen when others are speaking & do not interrupt others. Have a few questions specific to SPS prepared in advance.

Always be positive & honest.

11

thank you!

12

Did you hear back @sc2004?

13

Old threads should be used for research only,but should not be needlessly revived. The OP has not been active for months, so is unlikely to answer the question @Ih8tests . Closing.