chances of getting into boarding school ?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

hey guys, this is my first thread, and i’ve recently been reading a lot on how to improve chances to get into the top elite boarding schools (andover, exeter, choate, etc.)

just a lil’ intro abt myself:
i’m 12, and a rising eighth grader (i skipped a grade, so i’m much younger than most of my peers)
i’m currently applying for 6 schools for the 19-20 school year
in order of the ones i want to get into the most, andover, choate, exeter, hotchkiss, deerfield, middlesex

i’ve read that ssat scores don’t weigh in too terribly much for the application, but that it’s more about your determination to succeed in your future, and your motivation to do good at the schools. now, i’m studying really hard for the ssat, which i’ve scheduled for oct and nov. however, because i live in california, and the schools are in the east coast, it’s not the most convienient to be able to go over there for about a week. i’m still planning interviews and campus visits. however, i’m a bit worried, because you have to go when school is in session, and my parents aren’t willing to take me out of school, considering the fact that my entire family would have to drag along, affecting my siblings. i really don’t want to do a skype call and virtual tour, because i feel like it would just be better to do things in person, if you know what i mean. like, i tend to feel awkward over call, which would be bad for me. anyway, to get on with other stuff,

— i currently take all ib courses, and i am taking pre calc, which is the highest i can go
in sixth grade, i had all a’s (ib chinese 1, ib english/history 6, im2 (i think geometry, not rlly sure), ib science 6)
in seventh grade, i got one b on my last quarter report card. i can rant about that a lottt, it was really unfair (ib english/history 7, where i got the b, im3 (i think algebra 2), ib chinese 2, ib science 7)
— i’m a swimmer, and i haven’t gotten any awards that are specifically exceptional other than a few high point awards over the years
— i like computer programming, and i have worked with my dad to learn python, java, etc. i own a few robots and really love to program them. if i get into choate, i want to join their robotics club, cuz i’ve heard about it being really good.
— i play violin, and i’m not too engaged with competitions or anything (not many are hosted around my area anyway), but i am in the highest orchestra in my symphony, and with my orchestra, we went on tour just a month ago to europe and had 3 performances. i’m currently playing the mendelssohn violin concerto in e minor, op.64, and plan on joining a concerto competition with my orchestra, where if i win, i’ll play my concerto with my orchestra, as the soloist, with my orchestra being the accompaniment. i have previously won one of the concerto competitions, when i was 10, and won a $400 music scholarship, being the youngest competitor by 4 years.
— i really like stationery and bullet journaling, taking notes, writing in calligraphy, reading, etc. i despise tv at all costs. i really like simple, minimalistic stuff, and also nature and peace.

i really want to go to boarding school because i think of myself as a very self motivated person, and i take interest in many educational things. my long term goals are to attend harvard or mit (>﹏<)

thank u so much for reading this :3 have a good day !! (＞人＜;)

2

i probably should’ve mentioned that i’ve been doing both swimming and violin for 7 years now :slight_smile:

3

Regarding interviews, my advice would be to keep an eye out for when schools in which you are interested are visiting your area and to try to be proactive about setting up interviews during those times. From my child’s experience a couple of years ago, I know it’s possible to have in-person interviews with admissions officers and/or alumni from the schools you specifically listed in your original post.

4

thank you !! i will look into it :slight_smile:

5

SSAT scores are important.

6

yes, i was referring to how the schools apparently really care about you and your personality, motivation, etc.

7

One of your challenges will be persuading admissions officers that you are socially/emotionally mature enough to live away from home. The good news: If you fail to persuade them this time, you can always apply next year as a repeat freshman.

8

hmm, i see, do you happen to know any questions they may ask that may be considered to them as dead giveaways as to whether or not i’m fit for boarding school? i was also thinking of doing mini thank you’s, maybe sending them a letter or writing an email? would that seem a bit like i was trying to bribe them? thanks for your help though! i will definitely keep trying if i don’t get in this year!!

9

Lots of people send thank you notes or emails after interviews, definitely isn’t “bribery” and can actually end up creating a good rapport between you and the admissions officer. You’re usually encouraged to email them with any questions you may have through the process, anyway, so a thank you note doesn’t hurt.

10

Have you lived away from home before? I know admissions officers seemed reassured when my kid talked about having attended a 7-week sleepaway camp on the opposite coast for several years…

11

Here’s a couple of questions with answers that might get you knocked out quickly:

• Q: Why do you want to attend boarding school?
A: My mom/dad thinks it’s a good idea.

• Q: Why are you applying to XYZ Academy?
A1: It will help me get into HYPMS.
A2: In case I don’t get into Exeter.

• Q: Do you have any questions for me?
A: No.

12

ahh thank you! i will make sure to write a letter to the admission officers!

13

i’ve been to many camps over the years by myself, even some as school trips, the shortest being about a week and the longest being about 4 weeks, i do think of myself as a pretty independent person- my most recent trip away from home was my european tour when i was across the globe for 2 weeks, dunno if that rlly means anything since your kid was gone for 7 weeks…

14

hahahahaha i see, thanks! my answers to those questions are pretty much the complete opposite, so hopefully that’ll help me a bit in the interview

15

Given your mental health history, I would be very careful about choosing the right school. Some schools have very competitive, high-pressure cultures that could exacerbate your anxiety. Schools also vary in terms of the kind of support they might offer to encourage mental health (mindulness? support groups?) or to assist those who are struggling. Your mental health is MUCH more important than the “prestige” of a diploma from a well-known school.

If I were in your shoes, I would look for a school with a nurturing culture, not a hyper-competitive one. You want excellent teachers who can challenge you intellectually because you are very intelligent and motivated. But that does NOT mean you need a hyper-competitive, high stress peer culture. In fact, I would avoid all schools with hyper-competitive peers and cultures!

Go somewhere where you will be nurtured, supported, and encouraged to shine. Good teachers will find ways to challenge you the way you deserve and crave. Do NOT be blinded by prestige or reputation. Given your mental health history, your life could depend on it. Please be wise. :wink:

Putney might be an interesting choice to consider. (I went to an Ivy league university and some of the smartest, most interesting students I knew there were Putney grads.) Instead of traditional final exams, students work on in-depth projects that they then present, which is much more like the real world! ANd there is music everywhere there. Working on the Putney farm (especially with the animals) can be incredibly therapeutic and calming, too. Millbrook has a zoo where kids can work, in case working with animals is something your therapist or psychiatrist recommends. (Many inpatient programs for kids with anxiety have patients work with horses, for example.) Middlesex is no walk in the park, but has a strong mindfulness program that could be very helpful to you in your journey toward high achievement without a mental health relapse. There are other schools to consider…

Don’t get caught up in the admissions game, trying to gain admission to highly-selective schools to prove you can. Look for a place where you can be nurtured and supported, where you will shine and thrive, and where you can invest in your own mental health. Learn to distinguish between schools with healthy school climates and those where they are investing in mental health as a corrective measure because their cultures are NOT generally conducive to mental health.

Be wise!

16

Brewster might be worth a look, too?
Dublin?

17

wow, thx! i’ll be looking into more schools for sure, i’m thinking of adding nmh, putney, and brewster to my list!

18

being young is not good for your application. was 13 by march tenth this year and deerfield said that was partly why I didn’t get accepted.

19

@muchanxieotea I wouldn’t let age be a deterrent. Both our girls skipped a grade and were accepted by PEA. Our youngest DD will graduate in June from PEA at 16. Good luck on your journey.

20

thanks ! i hope i can make it !