Do I have a chance of getting into a top boarding high school?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I am a female Asian student currently in 8th grade and entering 9th grade in the fall. I have applied to Exeter, Andover, Middlesex, and Hotchkiss. I am also in need of financial aid and will definitely be boarding if I get accepted.

My current grades so far are 100% and higher in all but a 93% in math and design and a 96% in science. I have only gotten one B+ before and the rest of my grades are A’s. I skipped kindergarten and skipped 3 grades of math in total. I am in Honors Geometry and Advanced ELA.

I have yet to take the SSAT ( any tips?I often struggle with vocabulary and some math), but all my scores on the standardized tests so far have been excellent( 90th percentile and up).

Because I am new to my current school, I didn’t get a chance to sign up for activities that I would’ve signed up in, like Marching Band or Student Government (all the sign ups were pre-school year). But I was in Jazz Band, Art Club, Tech Crew, and Junior Teen Institute at my last school.

I haven’t been very active in community service, but I have helped out at school events and once in 6th grade made gift bags for homeless children with patients from a nursing home.

I have a love for art and photography, and I attended an art camp this summer and majored in visual arts. I draw all the time at home as well. I also know how to play the piano and alto saxophone (was in Jazz Band for alto sax). I’m partially fluent in Chinese (can speak very well, write little, and read okay) and I’m taking Spanish this year. I also have an interest in math and environmental studies.

In terms of athletics, I have never been on a team but I have learned how to play tennis( somewhat well) and swim ( although not very fast). I also know/ play well at badminton.

I consider myself as a very independent being (from living in a household with immigrant parents overwhelmed with a new baby and a 9 near old girl) and hard working if I put my mind to it.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for me? Do I have a chance?

2

Hi! Are you living in the US? Because international students typically are not eligible for FA. Regardless, because you need FA, you might want to think about adding some schools to your list. If you have your heart set on boarding school then you should cast a wider net. What is it about those 4 schools that you like? If you talk a little about what you’re looking for, then people here can suggest other schools. For example, if you’re interested in Environmental Studies and Studio Art, then Choate should definitely be on your list.

3

@GMC2918 Thank you so much! Yes I live in Ohio and I’m looking for schools that follow the Harkness Method and will give me the support I need to do my best in high school. I’m deeply interested in the arts but also want vigorous and supportive core studies to push me forward( because I tend to proceasiate a lot)

4

OK got it. You still need to add more schools however, because you’re applying for FA and all of the schools on your list are very competitive (with acceptance rates well below 20%).

5

I’m also a 8th grader and I’m applying to Hotchkiss and Choate! And I’m Viet (Asian). And I don’t think u should where u live online because even though most people on CC re good people some are not.

6

It’s hard to predict chances with this info, but I agree with @GMC2918 that you should expand your list. If you go back and look at where people applied last year and where they got in, you’ll see that even very strong candidates didn’t get in everywhere they applied. Take the SSAT – that will help you figure out whether you’re in the category to be seriously considered. After that, it’s really about fit. Figure out what it is you like about those schools and then see which others also offer those things.

7

@gardenstategal @GMC2918 Thanks for the tips ! I’ll start a new thread after I take the SSAT and ask you for suggestions afterwards :slight_smile: the only problem is that my mom isn’t in the best shape for traveling and when interviewing time comes around I don’t want to drag here everywhere… which means I think I should just settle on 5 schools. Do you guys have any school suggestions that have an acceptance rate that’s higher than 20%?

8

You can apply to schools without visiting and interview by Skype. Then you can visit ones where you were admitted and have enough FA. Sometimes, they have adcoms on the road, so you may be able to meet them near you.

Also, because of the small class sizes and most schools, you’ll be involved in the classroom whether the method is explicitly Harkness or not, so that could open up possibilities.

With your interests, I would look at George. Very strong arts, music, stagecraft. Many students who like that one also like Westtown and Mercersburg. They are all in PA so a little closer to you (but still far!) They are all great schools, give FA, and less selective than those on your list above (but even then, none are a slam dunk!)

9

@gardenstategal tysm! I’ll look up your suggestions and talk with my parents about it.

10

@HhopefulFforSsuccess2021 You should also check out St. Andrews School in Middletown, DE. It has everything you have described above and a very well funded financial aid program.