<p>This is driving me crazy... I didn't study much for the past few weeks because I've been reading past threads here... :)</p>
<p>Questions:
-Is it really easier to get in at some schools if you apply for 10th grade? Particularly Andover and Loomis?
-What are the benefits/loss of repeating 9th?</p>
<p>I don't know if it is easier. Some schools admit about 1/2 - 2/3 of the total class in 9th grade and the rest in 10th grade. Some of the school's web sites break down the student numbers by grade. At least you can tell from that if they have a significant number of openings. </p>
<p>Repeating 9th - if you are young for your class (birthday in June or later) it is something our school recommends almost all the time. But also it depends on your current school and what kind of classes you are taking. </p>
<p>Sorry, can't be more of a help than that.</p>
<p>I'd say it is; I heard competition is less easier. But maybe that's just because some people who apply for 10th are people who applied for 9th and were WLed or rejected. But I think it would be easier because even though they don't let in as many people, that's in proportion to the demand, which isn't that great at that point</p>
<p>I think it really depends. The applicant pool can be just as competitive because many private schools go through 9th grade. There are still top students that are applying for 10th. If there is a difference between 9th and 10th grade acceptances, it is probably small.
I don't feel repeating 9th grade is beneficial unless you are academically behind the rest of the class.</p>
<p>10th grade is generally a harder grade for admissions. It is easiest in 9th, gets harder in 10th, and is hardest at 11th. In fact, many top schools are still considering 9th grade apps in the summer. It's also the level with the highest number of "i've changed my mind" kids during the summer, thus opening up spaces. But if you are applying for 10th, just do your best.</p>
<p>Thank you ed consultant. That has certainly been our experience as parents having done the process three times with different grades.</p>
<p>edconsultant:
Would you advice repeating 9th? I was born in September, so I guess I am young for my class. I'm taking mostly basic courses (Algebra 1, English 1, Religion-Old Testament, Foundation Science-kinda like a mix of physics, biology and chemistry, Philippine History, Chinese, Filipino, Visual Basic, Foundation Music...) and since schools have so many different courses that I want to try, I'm fine with it.</p>
<p>drnancie:
Which schools? And what grades?</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone! :)</p>
<p>I don't think it's a wise idea to repeat a grade in order to improve your chances for admission. What will you do when you apply to college? Mislead them and fail to disclose your first freshman year? Be forthcoming and tell them you were on the five-year track for high school?</p>
<p>And then what about sequencing? If you're a bright person, you could very well find yourself in a position where you lose continuity in a subject, by exhausting the options at your high school for math or a foreign language. You wouldn't want to create gaps like that.</p>
<p>Here's a link to consider:</p>
<p>D'yer Maker
The main reason I'm considering repeating a grade is because I want to be more familiar with the system of a US school (how it works, grades, papers, etc.) and for most internationals, this happens during their freshman year. I might have a difficult time meeting the expectations of the teachers if I have no previous experience and yet everyone around me is already so grounded on the system. Also, I don't think I will be able to take the courses I want without the foundation courses or prerequisites that is usually taken as a freshman. There are a lot of courses I want to take, and for some areas (i.e. science and history), 3 years is not enough. As for math and foreign languages, the schools that I am considering (Choate, Andover, etc.) has a lot to offer. But you do make a great point. </p>
<p>Do you think joining a summer program is enough (for adjustment)? </p>
<p>Thanks for the link.
"St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, 22 percent of the freshman class have transferred in to repeat the year, as have 6 percent of sophomores." Wow, 22%. That's more than a fifth of the incoming freshman class.</p>
<p>cate_intl -- Have you looked into getting a scholarship at one of the American International schools in the Philippines? Just a thought.</p>
<p>My son is going in as repeat 9th grader...he did very well at his public school in 9th grade, it was the school's request and suggestion that he come in as a repeat; they prefer a four-year student. I think it will be a good thing for him and not hurt one bit for college. It will give him a chance to take a wider selection of courses, including AP's and more than one language (an area he is particularly interested in). Who knows, he may even get to explore some electives....something many four-year students have trouble fitting in!</p>
<p>My international school only accepts students with a non-chinese passport...so I suppose it works the same way with the schools in the Philippines...</p>
<p>Yes, repeating 9th grade is common. Just like that link someone posted above says---it's so common that as many as 1/3 of new students at boarding school are repeats. </p>
<p>Here is a controversial thought for you all: Without the repeats and the PG's, the boarding schools might be hurting for students. Many families only consider boarding school because it enables them to do another year. They call it " a gift of the year".</p>
<p>But anyway, back to Cate's issue. If you are a boy, I would recommend a repeat since you are a September birthday. That means you will be turning 15 sometime during Sept of 10th grade? Even if you repeat, you certainly won't be the oldest, turning 15 in Sept of 9th grade. If you are a girl, I'm not sure I would recommend it---sort of depends on how you feel about it.</p>
<p>Burb Parent-
At the international school in my country, there is only one scholarship for Filipinos, and that is for incoming 9th graders who will be asked to repeat 8th. So it is not really an option.
edconsultant-
I'm a girl. Why would you not recommend it?</p>
<p>God, I wouldn't want to do another year, though I'm born in May, so it wouldn't make sense to do it anyway. I wish I'd skipped fourth grade (would be been a good year to skip, actually.) I've got so much I want to do and not enough time to do it.</p>