<p>I really want to attend Andover, but I'm not sure if I have a chance of getting in because it's 11th grade...and there aren't many spots to begin with. A lot of people have been telling me that it is not good to switch schools in junior year, but I do not mind, because all I want is a better academic education than I have right now. I have a 4.0 GPA, but I am not sure....</p>
<p>So...any good boarding schools for a "B" kid?</p>
<p>Wouldn’t a 4.0 make you an “A” kid?</p>
<p>There are a number of schools where you can get a great education. However, some of them enroll far fewer students for 11th grade than for 9th grade. For example, my kids’ school (Concord) had 49 applications this year for 2 spots in 11th grade. Other schools may have more openings for 11th, so it’s something worth checking on this summer. While many schools won’t know their target number until March of next year, they should be able to tell you how many they typically enroll.</p>
<p>More than grades perhaps, schools will look into extra-curriculars, your essays, teacher recommendations, and how you do with your interview. </p>
<p>Besides Andover, I would also look into other GLADCHEMS schools, as well as “hidden gems”, which would give you just as good of an education, but may fit better. </p>
<p>Even without boarding school, I’m sure you can still get a good education. Exhaust your school’s opportunities, and maybe take up an academic extra-curricular? Or, see if there are other local schools that may be more appealing. </p>
<p>Either way, good luck! :)</p>
<p>There’s a lot of great school out there and doing a lot of research would help you. A lot of people in boarding school repeat a year and so can you. It’ll give you more time to prepare for college and everything. Good luck :)</p>
<p>Wouldn’t applying for 10th hurt my chances though?</p>
<p>*his</p>
<p>sorry lol</p>
<p>Westtown is a ‘hidden gem’ and use to have a mandatory boarding policy for 11th and 12th graders. So, not only do they end up getting new students in 11th, they also have day students who transition to boarding and making and adjustment. If the mandatory program is now ending (as rumor has it) then some day students will remain so and that may open up boarding spots. Bottom line…11th can be a reasonable time to enter.
I think many Friends/Quaker schools have 11th grade entry students just because of the nature of those schools.
One issue with 11th grade entry, however, is making sure that over the course of that one year you can get to know your teachers, counselors, etc. well enough for solid college recs and that you can engage pretty quickly in sports and activities (you don’t have time to try a lot of things and figure out which groups you like if you really want to be active or hope to lead).
Agree also that if you are applying to a highly competitive school where the academics might be totally different than what you are use to, applying as a repeat 10th grader might be wise on several levels.
T</p>