Chance me for USA boarding schools?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Demographics:

Male, White, American (living in Brazil)
Studying at a random private school

Stats:

  • 90% SSAT, Mostly As, a few Bs (~3.7 GPA)
  • School doesn’t do rank

Awards:

  • Did a important national math exam (OBMEP), expecting a bronze medal (gold maybe)
  • Several best grades in class awards (for 6-7 grade, should I submit?)
  • Several karate awards from local championships, including 1st place
  • Also expecting at least a silver medal for TIMO (International math comp)
  • Was selected to draw the cover of a book which my school published (I also wrote a bit)

Extracurriculars:

  • Started a NFT project with my dad, was unsuccessful but learned a lot
  • Basketball at my school, but there isn’t a official team like in the US, I would say I’m OK
  • Chess regularly (I have ~1350 rating on Chess .com) It’s a big passion but I’m also OK
  • Been playing piano for at least 10 years but no awards

Essays/LORs/Other:

  • Essays: I’m a decent writer, 8/10
  • LORs: my teachers don’t know me extremely well and also never done any rec, 6/10

The main reason I have a lacking profile is mostly because of the very little amount of opportunities and a living in a low income household (~20k yearly).

I am applying to many schools such as: Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Hotschkiss, Mercersburg, R. Macon, St. Pauls, George, St. Andrews, NMH, Gunn, Pomfret
I’m scared of not getting into any of these, so what would be a “safety” for me?

2

How much can your parents afford to pay? Almost all of the schools listed above are need-aware.

You might be accepted into some of these, but they might not be affordable.

3

I need full aid, if not my parents can pay max 5k yearly…

4

You’re basically going to need a full ride. The $5K contribution would barely cover your transport and miscellaneous expenses. There are a handful of full tuition + board scholarships, but they are not easy to come by.

Have you looked into private scholarships like Caroline Bradley, etc?

5

I haven’t, mainly because my application isn’t to strong to guarantee a merit scholarship but I’ll take a look. Thanks.

6

BS will love you as they have very few folks from Brazil apply/attend. You should also ask about application fee waivers. Don’t have your parents call… YOU call. Every school. Talk to an admissions person and get to know them… let them be your point of contact both by email and phone. I have other ideas about recs… feel free to DM me. Good luck!

7

Thanks for the advice! I have already gotten a fee waiver for the SSAT from Exeter (does that mean they like me or do they just give it to anyone?) and some application fee waivers. I agree with calling them myself and my parents are not pushing me at all to apply to any of these, it has been me driving the whole process. Also I’m from the US, but I’ve been living here in Brazil for my whole life preety much (sorry if my post was confusing).
Again, thanks for the advice, I’ll PM you shortly!

8

I don’t think it matters. You’re living in Brazil and would ‘represent’ Brazil. That’s a plus for you. I’m assuming you speak Portuguese and play soccer? :wink:
Have you thought about CA schools? Cate, Thatcher, Webb? or Lawrenceville and Peddie in NJ?

9

Yes I did but never added to my list… I will take a better look at these.
And yes I speak Portuguese fluently. I also speak a bit of Russian. I play soccer but I’m not very good at it (although I’m a big fan). I know Brazil is usually known for soccer but at my school most kids are bigger fan of basketball and we have plenty good players.