Desperate to get into a somewhat elite boarding school, is it too late?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Cafe
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This may be a lengthy post, thank you to those that choose to read this entire thing, grab some popcorn and a drink

Good morning/afternoon/night to you all,

I have a strange situation for you guys, I’ve searched far and wide for someone with a similar problem to mine and found nothing. So, hopefully this will prove useful to anyone out there in a pickle like the one that I have found myself in.

A profile of myself is quite necessary, to help others, and to give you a summary of my scenario. I will try to make this concise.

Current Grade: 10

Gender: Male

Grades (wish I could provide a GPA, sorry!): About 90% A’s, the occasional B, one or two C+'s in my entire academic career

SSAT: Unknown as of now, practice tests hint at the 90th percentile (the boarding school that I am currently applying to has their own admissions test)

Extracurriculars: M Club (a volunteering group), Leo Club, Student Council (was excited to join Chess Club, Speech and Debate, Student Council, invited to join National Honors Society this year, however, all of my plans were thwarted for reasons you will soon discover)

Sports: Cross Country, Varsity Track and Field (once again, these were during freshman year, I was unable to participate in clubs and sports this year)

Additional Information: Enjoy volunteering, had a 1600m time of about 5:12 during my freshman year, 3200m - 11:40, father is a public figure, one side of my family is black (I’m about 1/4), earned several presidential awards for standardized test scores in elementary school and participated in Extended Learning Programs (I’m curious, is information this far back even useful?), no clubs were offered during middle school except for student council, which I immediately joined, went to summer enrichment courses every year they were offered in elementary school, was taking advanced math throughout middle school and am currently one year ahead in math, taking Algebra 2 this year, went to regionals for the play that I created with a group for National History Day, group didn’t take it seriously and I did most of the work, but we could have gone further if they were motivated, love writing, especially poetry

So, here is my situation.

My freshman year was somewhat complicated, but somewhat stable, nonetheless. I entered freshman year optimistic. I joined all of the clubs listed above. I practiced for cross country the summer before ninth grade with the team, I ran the season, and everything was going rather decent. I passed my first semester with all honors, earning A’s in each course (except for Biology, which was lead by an instructor who was a notoriously tough grader, I believe I got a B). Going into the second semester of my freshman year, I transferred to the fifth ranked school in the state that I currently reside. This was rough, emotionally, and academically. I couldn’t join any clubs, I realized just how poor-quality my old school district was and was scrambling to cram all of the information that my old teachers had neglected into my brain, I knew no one. Despite the odds, I managed to maintain my position on the honor roll, reach the varsity level in Track and Field, and finish the semester with A’s and a few B’s in my again, all honors classes (all that were available to me, at least).

This, is where it starts to get interesting.

The summer before my sophomore year (this school year, 2016-17), I was hospitalized for about two weeks. I was severely depressed and it was recommended to me that I seek help. I got out after those two weeks, but I was still extremely sad. I went back to school in August and toughed it out for until October. At that point, the pain was unbearable. My entire family could see right through me and I was once again admitted into a psychiatric care center. I lived there for the entire month of October. There was no school there, I tried to educate myself as best as I could, but the staff there wanted me to focus on myself. When I got out, most of my missing work was pardoned, and I’ve since taught myself most of what I missed during that month. However, about a month after getting out and participating in regular classes (decided to go with accelerated Algebra 2 and Chemistry this year, no real other accelerated courses) again, the school decided to put me on their online program. This program was TERRIBLE, no one to turn to for help, the most brutal grading that I’ve ever witnessed, vague instructions. I pretty much had to educate myself. I have no idea how I still passed first semester with honors and was invited to join NHS (which I couldn’t participate in because I was not physically present at school). I’m still participating in these online courses, and will complete my 2016-17 year using it.

Now that that my life-story is out of the way, here is where I require your advice.

It has always been my dream to attend a boarding school. Even more so, a boarding school held to a somewhat high esteem, somewhere up in Connecticut, Massachusetts, you know what I mean. Being surrounded by motivated, sedulous, studious, creative individuals, the academic rigor, the ivy-covered walls, college matriculations, certified instructors, school spirit. It’s all so appealing to me. I want to make this dream materialize, so I am applying to a school with an acceptance rate of about 60% for this upcoming school year. I am relatively confident that I will be accepted. However, I don’t want to be selling myself short. This school is the top private school in it’s state, but it’s no PA, Deerfield, Hill, or Hotchkiss. If it came down to it and I had to stay at this school for the rest of high school, I would be grateful and accept it, but I’m greedy and want to get out of it what I put into it. So I’ve been hatching some plans. I would be applying to the schools I listed above at this very moment but, application deadlines. So, I was thinking, maybe I’ll put in as much effort as possible at the boarding school that I can get into for the 2017-18 school year and apply to those schools for my senior year. I mean, already attending and performing well at a not-too-shabby boarding school as it is would be sure to grab the admissions officers eyes, right? I would have a chance at getting in, even with the terrible acceptance rates for incoming seniors, correct? Another plan that I have devised would be to repeat my sophomore year at this school, as I’m not terribly satisfied with my sophomore year as it is and there would be no harm in repeating it. I may do that either way, give me your opinion. Anyways, if I repeated sophomore year and did the same thing as I mentioned earlier, but applied to those “Ivy League” boarding schools for junior year instead of senior (because I would be repeating sophomore year at the fore-mentioned school of a 60% acceptance rate, not my first choice in schools), would this increase my chances of acceptance? Is this idea any good? Should I just stay at the school that I’m getting into for the rest of high school and forget about getting into these more prestigious schools? I could really use any input, experiences, advice available, as I am quite lost right now.

Well, I believe that covers everything. Thank you so much for reaching the end of this post, I understand that it is terribly long, but I think that a complete look at my situation will prove to be useful. I could really use your advice. Once again, thank you!

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Please know that I’m not trying to be mean or rude when saying this but I think the idea that you go to a boarding school for one year, and then apply to a harder boarding school for junior year is not a good idea. It will raise the attention of the AO but probably not in a good way, as they will want to know why you left.

If I’m being completely honest, boarding school isn’t always good for mental health. I understand that the idea of boarding school sounds appealing but it really isn’t for everybody. Boarding schools (especially schools of academic rigor) are very hard on you emotionally, socially, and mentally. You won’t have the same mental health care that you would at home. BS can be very stressful and especially if you get homesick, it could be very easy for somebody to relapse into depression.

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Getting into 11th grade is notoriously hard for the “elite” boarding schools.The struggle you went through for high school could be a hook of some sort.I agree with cababe97 100%. In my opinion you should just stay at your local public school for sophomore year but still apply as repeat for 11th grade.You have a okay chance though like said earlier getting into 11th is hard and many highly qualified applicants get rejected each year definitely for 11th.You should also if you have time,read chance posts from 10th grade applicants to see what your competing with and get a feel of how hard it is to get into boarding school. Are you applying for financial aid or are you full pay?

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Thank you for your reply!

I understand your concern for my emotional health, thank you. However, I, personally, am not too worried about it. All psychologists/psychiatrists that I have seen prior to my stay have since disbanded me, decided that medications are no longer needed and I, myself, am certain that mental health is not an issue. There were certain circumstances that would cause anyone to experience what I went through, and it really was not as bad as it may seem. I should have clarified on that. The school that I am currently at has a good deal of competitiveness in itself, and I’ve been through much worse than stress from academics. What I’m trying to say, is that my mental health should not be a reason for concern here. I’m not one to be sensitive, and my stay at the hospital was implemented because of my parent’s concern. Some may consider them overly-concerned. I was sent because of social withdrawal, which was only because I chose to spend my time studying, to reach my goal, other than with friends.

Studying, academics, being a part of a school that I can be proud of, learning, education. These are all the things that make me most happiest. I would welcome whatever challenge thrown at me with open arms, I mean, studying is already one of the only things that I choose to do, so it wouldn’t be much of a change. And if it does require change, I’m willing to take it on.

Again, I appreciate your concern, but you mustn’t be. Any further advice looking past this issue would be much appreciated, and thank you for your insight.

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“The struggle you went through for high school could be a hook of some sort”

No, it wouldn’t. @CottenCandyTrill I don’t think you understand the concept of a hook.

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@doschicos I know what a hook is >:P,after looking back though I guess my presumption was inaccurate about if his situation could be a hook.His past experience could help though either way.

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Definitely going to need some FA. I was actually in contact with the school earlier today, it looks like I’m going to be accepted. So whether I choose to repeat my sophomore year or not, I’m doing it at this school. The question now is whether to repeat or not, and whether to pursue a more reputable school for my junior or senior year, depending on my choice to the former. I would be applying to various schools, a few with acceptance rates as low as Andover and Exeter, and a few that are selective, but a bit more possible, such as The Hill School. No need for a safety, as I’ve already been accepted into this school. I was thinking that there may be some advantages to my previous situation as well, especially if they were to hear that I repeated sophomore year because I wasn’t satisfied with my first go.

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Do you really want that many different schools on your transcript for college?

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@CottenCandyTrill Yeah, no. I don’t think that schools will see that as a hook no matter how you twist it.

To the OP: You have quite an interesting story! Here’s my advice: repeat, because junior admissions is ** extremely.cut.throat. **. While I don’t think that it’s a great idea to switch from one bs to another, you do you. So you’re aiming for schools with 19-13% acceptance rates… I’m guessing that you’re already set on applying to Exeter (19%), and Andover (13%). I would recommend Choate (18%), Deerfield (16%), Saint Paul’s (13%), Hotchkiss (21%), Middlesex (16%), and Milton (14% this year).

I know that this seems extremely cynical, but it is absolutely likely that you won’t get into most of these schools if you apply for junior year no matter what you do.

If you are still here when you are applying, feel free to ask me any questions. I’m going to Choate, but I also know a lot about Middlesex and Milton, so feel free to ask any questions specifically about those schools!

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Your dad is a public figure. That may help quite a bit with some schools, not so much with others… at the end of the day, it depends on you. If your name is extremely recognizable, that is a huge plus.

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@applejuice007 TBH I don’t think it will have a significant impact unless his dad is a billionaire, celebrity, or extremely prominent politician. But then again who tf knows anymore.

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I get it :frowning: .The past experience won’t help. I’m a nooblette at this stuff so best if I leave this thread to the pro’s.

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@CottenCandyTrill
Don’t take it personally. Hooks are a complicated (often a much debated upon) topic.
Feel free to still contribute to the thread… just be aware and realize when you don’t know enough about the subject to offer your opinion…

@ccxclife
I would refrain from overly mentioning the tough transition from your old school to the more academically rigorous one (esp. since you still finished with good grades…)

I agree with @CaliMex … Do you want all those different high schools on your transcript?
Attending a ‘top-notch’ BS for senior year WILL NOT help you in any significant way for college apps. You will be at that new school for a couple months before apps, so you will be in unfamiliar classes, with unfamiliar curricula, and with teachers that barely know you. Why do you want to do that to yourself?

Some students have been known to do this. But as @“Nico.campbell” said, junior apps are notoriously difficult to get into (As there are only a handful of spots left). Senior apps are even harder.

That (in my opinion) sounds like the best plan. Work hard and be the top academically as well as outside class. ‘Ivy League’ boarding schools do not guarantee good college acceptances. Your work does.

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I don’t really understand - what is wrong with the school that you plan to attend? IMHO, I think you should repeat sophomore year now so that you fill in the gaps that you missed while you were ill. Fully commit to the school, do well in your classes, make friends, participate. Don’t even think about applying to another school as it will prevent you from enjoying and fully immersing yourself at this new school.

If you do well in your new school, you will have positive recommendations from people who will have known you for several years. You should also have extra curricular activities that represent your interests. In addition to your grades, these will strengthen your college applications.

If you persist in transferring, you should realize that this may hurt you when you apply to college. Right now, you have a story to explain your performance in freshman year and your reasons for repeating sophomore year. Moving again, will require further explanation, will make it harder to show commitment to your extra curricular activities and may make it more difficult to obtain strong recommendations.

Also, if your dad is a public figure but you still need financial aid, you’re not likely to be a development admit so your chances of admission as a junior are slim. There are schools that take non-athletic senior admits, such as Hotchkiss, but again those spots are limited.

Think carefully about why you’re desperate to get into a somewhat elite boarding school. If it’s prestige, consider that by excelling at this new school, you will have a better chance at getting into a prestigious college.

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You’ve gotten some very thoughtful advice here from both parents and students. Has it changed your perspective on your situation and the best path ahead? I do hope that it has…

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I mean, no offense, but nobody on this forum really knows anything really about admissions that you or your parents won’t be able to figure out yourself. I certainly don’t. We are students, just like you, or parents, just like your parents. Take advice with a grain of salt, check in with a parent/tutor/consultant. Good luck.

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@Nico.campbell @applejuice007 @CottenCandyTrill (by the way, it’s cotton candy, I’d want to be corrected) @HMom16 @Atria @doschicos

Cannot thank you guys enough for your advice. Like @applejuice007 mentioned, I understand that there’s a very small chance that any of you guys are admissions officers or anything, and can only provide whatever information you know from experience. However, you guys certainly did help to clarify what my goals should be. It sounds as though repeating Sophomore year is my best bet, and I will probably be sticking to my current school, although, it couldn’t hurt to give some schools a shot next year. To end it off, I have one more inquiry. Nobody mentioned my racial background, would this not be considered a hook? I’m only one-fourth, but I hear that I can still consider myself to be multi-ethnic, which may look appealing to admissions officers.

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@Nico.campbell - I have no idea why this isn’t letting me tag you, anyways.

My father is not extremely prominent, but anchors for a news station in a decently well-known city.

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@ccxclife Hey,
I don’t really want to give advice on something that I’m not sure I am knowledge about, so I won’t go off into details pretending that I do know. That being said, I would recommend looking at schools, that are just as challenging and well known as Exter, Andover, and Hill etc, but have a smaller student body and could offer a more supportive environment.

Good luck with your application process and overall journey! :slight_smile:
~LNRHD

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About what you said in terms of your race being a hook: this is an extremely debatable topic, and is argued over regularly on this site. I will give my opinion, I just want to note to everybody that I don’t want to start a debate here.

My opinion: being a URM (under-represented minority) does help with admissions, BUT it will not get you in. You will still need to be qualified enough to get in, although being a URM will add some additional weight to your application. I’m not exactly sure if being 1/4 will have an effect… Even ** highly ** qualified URMs don’t get in, just like everybody else, so don’t depend on it or expect it to get you in.

Good luck! Hmu if you got questions.