Chances of Being Accepted to Top Boarding Schools

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hello,

I am a 13 year old in 8th grade. I was born in California, but my ethnicity is asian-american since my parents are Chinese and Taiwanese. I live in Hong Kong and go to an International School. However, the school I go to doesn’t do a very decent job teaching the curriculum. I was wondering if I have a good chance of getting into a top boarding school in America such as Exeter, Andover, etc.

My recent achievements and awards include:

  • 7th grade Honor Roll with Distinction
  • 4th and 5th Grade Student Council / Student Leadership Team
  • 8th Grade Student Ambassadors
  • Passed Grade 8 Violin Exam ( Played for 8 Years)
  • Passed Grade 8 Piano Exam (Played for 8 Years)
  • Passed Grade 5 Oboe Exam (Played for 3 Years)
  • Played Clarinet for 4 Years
  • Played Bassoon for 4 Years
  • Played Saxophone for 1 Year
  • Played French Horn for 1/2 Year
  • Jazz Band for 3 Years
  • Outstanding Strings Award (Grade 5)
  • Best Double Reed Player (Grade 5)
  • Outstanding Musician Award (Grade 6)
  • Outstanding Musician Award (Grade 7)
  • Swimming (Swam for 11 years)
  • Swim Club (Swam in Club for 7 Years)
  • School Swim Team (Swam on Team 5 Years)
  • Soccer Team (Played for 9 Years)
  • Tennis Team (Played for 2 Years)
  • Basketball Team (Played for 3 Years)
  • Track and Field for 2 Years
  • Cross Country for 2 Years
  • Model United Nations for 2 Years
  • Boy Scouts of America for 5 Years
  • Service: Beach Cleanup : Recycling Center

My SSAT test scores aren’t very high, just slightly above average. My school grades are mediocre currently. I’m taking several extra writing/reading, math classes. And working with many SSAT books.

I would really appreciate if you guys could give me truthful advice and suggestions on what else I could improve on.

Thanks

2

Austin:
Your ECs are good (you play A LOT of instruments). But one of the biggest problems is that top boarding schools only accept a limited amount of international students, especially from HK or Mainland China, but there is still a chance to get in. I would suggest you to apply earlier and go to one of the ten-schools admission fairs (I believe there is one in HK). Or even better, during break fly to US and go and visit the schools. If you need academic help for SSAT, or if you need good advice and tips for BS admission. I recommend you to go to an educational agency such as Capstone (in HK) for help. Remember, be truthful in your interview, essay, admission, etc.

Myself, I am also in 8th grade and I was also born in CA and lived in Beijing (went to ISB) for many years, now I am going to public school in CA and I’m applying for Choate and Andover.

Ps. what international school do you go to. Concordia, HKIS, CIS? I have many friends who are similar to you, live in HK, and want to go to BS as well.

3

k7maki:

Thanks for the advice. I go to HKIS.

4

So how were your results??

5

How are you not being requested like all the time?? My “resume” sucks compared to yours lol…