<p>Hi everyone, this is going to be a little long so buckle in.</p>
<p>I am currently 13 and am a year behind on studies (I'll explain why later) I came up with the idea of getting into a boarding school then applying for financial aid. I didn't know it would be this hard.</p>
<p>I'm far from what you would call an academic genius. Sure, I learn fast, but my dad wouldn't let me go to school and insisted on homeschooling me. After that he made no effort to educate me. So my mom signed me up for a cheap online learning site and got me through my first few grades.</p>
<p>I didn't start reading until I was 7-8 gets old, but now I excell greatly at reading comprehension and all thing literature. In a way being pulled out of school at such a young age was a blessing in disguise, it taught me to think for myself, to not have to rely on a teacher. My family was always moving from home to home, hardly ever staying in one place for over a year, dipping below the poverty level several times. All the while my mom tried her best to keep me educated. Although lately couldn't handle teaching me and trying to study and start her own business.</p>
<p>I went through a rough patch in my life where I could not bring myself to study. I just kept myself numb in a disbelieving state. (That's why I am a year behind on studies) remarkably I am still managing to catch up, albeit slowly. </p>
<p>I haven't taken the SSAT or any test. I never attended a school for a full year, so I can't aquire any teacher recommendations. I was wondering if could have a spot amongst all the overachievers willing to go to a prep school for a better shot at college.</p>
<p>Listed below are my strengths.</p>
<p>Maturity- having to move and never having a proper childhood made me grow up faster then any child should have to</p>
<p>Independence- my dad is gone now and my mom is working a lot of the days so I learned to take care if myself</p>
<p>Logical thinking- I think of things logically and very quickly. I will asses the situation and create a solution as fast as I can</p>
<p>Literature- Like I said above, I'm just good at it.</p>
<p>Fast thinker- My brain is always running on overdrive, allowing me to take in a lot if information. (It can be problematic when faced with simple tasks but can be really useful when learning)</p>
<p>Confident- I don't know why, I just am.</p>
<p>Now here are some of my faults</p>
<p>No leadership skills- Being isolated all my life I never learned to lead. I do feel a leader inside of me that is waiting for my moment to take command, but I don't know if that is creditable.</p>
<p>Work ethic- By having almost complete freedom of what I want to do with my time I never developed a school-like work ethic, hence my want to go to a boarding school.</p>
<p>I'm sorry if I missed some vital information but I tried my best.</p>
<p>I am working really hard to catch up in the two years I have before I enter freshman highschool.</p>
<p>Your educated honest response would be appreciated.</p>
<p>P.S the reason I chose Andovers is their need-blind policy.
If you know of other boarding schools in the US that also have a need-blind policy please state that in your reply as well.</p>