SSAT: (first time taking can and will improve)
Overall: 85%
Reading: 96%
Verbal: 75%
Quantitative: 76%
Grades:
GPA: 3.3
I have a C in algebra which I will improve dramatically, I also had a b- in science. Up until this point, I have never had anything lower than an A in science.
Community Service:
I started a successful charity for Puerto Rico after the recent hurricane.
I volunteered to teach at a local pre-school.
I volunteered to clean at an animal shelter.
Merits:
I attended CTY for the past few years.
I am a member of the New Hampshire Juinor Science Academy.
I am submitting an abstract to the AJAS for a recent study I have conducted testing titanium dioxide.
I speak Spanish.
I am attending the AJAS conference next year. I will be one out of the 120 people allowed to attend this conference. The other students will be in their later years in high school, while I will be one of the only freshmen.
I know several computer coding languages and have built several websites.
Interviews:
I have interviewed at NMH, and it went very well.
I am very good with interviews and expect the others to go well as well.
Extracurriculars and Sports:
I regularly compete in geobees, and math contests.
I play tennis and will be shortly attending my first tournament.
I am saving up with my group of friends to build a computer for cryptocurrency mining.
The school I go to:
The school I attend has a fantastic reputation and each year sends students to elite boarding school across the country.
Do you need financial aid?
What is your race/ethnicity?
No financial aid, I am a white American.
I am also a man
^ In that case, and take this for what it’s worth because I am not an expert in those schools specifically (just a parent who has seen and known well a number of kids who have gone to “top 20” boarding schools), then i think you have a decent chance at all those schools, although Hotchkiss might be a bit of a reach. Your SSAT is decent, and the reading subsection (which is probably the hardest section imo to “artificially” prepare for) is quite good. Your quantitative scores are a little low for a science oriented kid, but you obviously have strong interests and some decent ECs in that area. With a little work, I think you could easily get that score up a little, and it sounds like you are motivated.
I’d focus on the verbal section too. My experience has been that it is pretty easy to get that score up. The analogies part is pretty difficult, but the curve is generous (meaning you can get 4 or 5 wrong in analogies and vocab combined and still get an 800 overall for the section). Vocabulary is the area I’ve seen kids improve easily. Many on this board have suggested quizlet. My child used www.membean.com (the “SAT package” for about $40, although he had access for free through his school), and found the vocabulary section very easy.
I’m guessing that your 3.3 GPA is for this year, and not cumulative? That strikes me as a tiny bit low, but only because grade inflation is so rampant these days. Perhaps your school is a little tougher than the average elementary or middle school? If so, I would try to highlight that. In any event, being part of CTY means that you had to do well on some qualification test at some point, and given the range of your interests I think that there shouldn’t be too much of a question that you can handle the work at any of your target schools.
Being a white male is a difficult demographic, but it’s not the worst that’s for sure. Full pay will help you a lot.
If you are disappointed in your math and science grades currently, I’d mention that in your essays or interviews, and outline a plan to get back “on track.” A higher quantitative SSAT on a retake will help show that you are serious. Perhaps a math or science teacher who knows and likes you could help you make the case? (It sounds from your AJAS membership and ECs including computer coding that you envision a STEM-oriented future path?)
You can also read through lots of the advice on these threads about “being yourself” and highlighting your “passions” and demonstrating maturity in the admissions process, and of course presenting yourself in the best possible light. Like I said, I think you have a decent chance just from what little you’ve told about yourself, and the only other thing I’d add is that if you have a clear favorite among those schools, really emphasize that with that school and make clear that you will attend if admitted. Whatever the results, give it your all and best of luck in your journey!
I think Hotchkiss is a stretch unless you are a legacy, a recruited athlete or from North Dakota. The others are definitely in your reach. You will need to write the best essays of your life to have a shot at Hotchkiss. Good luck!
I am from New Hampshire which may help a bit
Thank you guys for taking the time to advice me
It doesn’t look like you have many sports. It looks like you’re relatively new to Tennis (first tournament ??) Schools really like athletes and can really boost an application.
I am in the invite group at my local club for tennis.
The interview at Kent went extremely well. I also have legacy from my grandfather who graduated at 14 from Kent. For a personal recomendation, I am well connected with the head my my local science academy who is an AAAS fellow and a member of Sigma Xi. I am also well connected with an astrophysist who discovered the third closest star system to pur sun. I am also aquanted to a number of Dartmouth professors. All of these people are willing to give me good recommendations.
My actual teacher recommendations will be excellent as well.
My current science teacher has a Dartmouth phd and would write wonderful things about me. Despite my grade in math, my teacher who has taught at a number of boarding schools will write good things about me.
where your teacher/s went to school is irrelevant (other possibly pertinent factors aside)
When you refer to pertinent factors, which ones are you refering to?
It sounds like you dont need any help and you will get in everywhere based on all of this:
“I am in the invite group at my local club for tennis.
The interview at Kent went extremely well. I also have legacy from my grandfather who graduated at 14 from Kent. For a personal recomendation, I am well connected with the head my my local science academy who is an AAAS fellow and a member of Sigma Xi. I am also well connected with an astrophysist who discovered the third closest star system to pur sun. I am also aquanted to a number of Dartmouth professors. All of these people are willing to give me good recommendations.
My actual teacher recommendations will be excellent as well.”
Do personal recommendations really matter that much?
Not really. My opinion is that a personal recommendation could be helpful if the recommender knows you well and is also well-connected to the school OR if the recommender knows you well from working with you on an extra-curricular activity. So, in the case of @someone3301, I wouldn’t send all of those additional recommendations - they won’t help your application and make you sound arrogant - choose one.