<p>I'm going into ninth grade right now. I've been going to a small private school all my life with no extracurriculars, no organized sport teams. For high school, I'm going to a good public school in my area.
Last year, I applied for Hotchkiss, but my dad wouldn't let me go and I didn't get accepted anyways. This year, I really want to try again (for tenth grade). I've gotten straight As my whole life and the things I need to work on the most are extracurriculars, sports, and teacher recommendations.
What kind of extracurriculars should I do when I go to high school? And sports? Also, how do I get good teacher recommendations in a big public school setting? It's going to be hard to do everything, because I've got so little time to adjust to a new setting.
By the way, is it weird to go to boarding school in tenth grade? Will I be the outcast?
Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>It is the norm for students to enter BS in either 9th or 10th grade. In many school systems, middle school is completed in the 9th grade, rather than in the 8th ; consequently, at many BS’s the sophomore class size nearly doubles vs. the freshman class size. So, no, you will not be an outcast for entering in the 10th grade.</p>
<p>For applying to BS, you are already thinking about the right things (i.e. EC’s, sports, teachers recs). The kind of EC/sport you select is not as important as how passionately you apply yourself in it. For teachers recs, the 2 most important teachers will be your current English teacher & current Math teacher. Make sure to make a good impression on them.</p>
<p>The biggest challenge you have not addressed is how to get your dad to support you in this endeavor. The top BS’s, like the one to which you applied late year, are very expensive and tend not to give FA based solely on merit, but on financial need. Therefore, you will need the support of your parents to either pay the tuition, or to fill out the documentation to apply for Financial Aid.</p>
<p>Thank you! And exactly how to make a good impression? Never being in a big class setting, I don’t have a clue on how to stand out to a teacher in the midst of 20 other students.
And my parents are going to support me on this this year. They’ve decided I’m mature enough I guess.</p>
<p>Also dont forget that in addition to the new HS references, you may also ask a teacher from your old school to send a reference, since presumably they will have known you for a long time and can really speak well to your talents.</p>
<p>To make a good impression on your teachers, you need to make yourself visible. Raise your hand to answer questions. Speak up in class discussions. Get your assignments done on time. Put out 110% effort. Be courteous to your classmates.</p>
<p>I havent thought of that! Thanks for suggesting it. I may end up asking my junior high advisor to send in a recommendation since he’s known me for two years.<br>
And thanks for the advice GMTplus7. I’ll try that.
Does the position in a particular extracurricular activity matter, or how long I’ve been doing it? Since I’ll be new to the school and everything, no matter what I do (newspaper, yearbook etc.) I know I won’t reach a high status or be able to say I’ve been doing it for a long time. I’ll give it my 100% and throw myself completely into what I’m doing, but I just don’t know how to prove to the administrators in my application that I do have a passion for the things I’m doing when it shows I’ve been doing them for such a short time span.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why they want math and english recommendations. I haven’t been able to develop as strong of a relationship with my math teacher as my science or history teacher mainly because his class is basically a 50 minute lecture. I understand that math tests ability to reason, which they do assess, but if they are looking for character assessment then why do they want math teacher recommendations?</p>
<p>They want Math & English teachers to comment, because the questions that are asked of them are about Math & English. Here are some sample questions from a Math rec form:</p>
<p>Please check those courses or list others which the student will have completed by the end of the current school year.
- Basic First Year Algebra
- First Year Algebra<br>
- Geometry
- Second Year Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus (an introduction)
- Calculus (Advanced Placement AB)
- Calculus (Advanced Placement BC)</p>
<p>Rate the student:
- One of the top few I have ever encountered
- Excellent (top 10% this year)
- Good (above average)
- Average
- Below average
- No basis for judgement</p>
<p>Knowledge of the Basic Skills
Accuracy in the Use of Basic Skills
Problem Solving Ability
Reasoning Ability
Understanding of and Appreciation for the Underlying Ideas and Concepts
Effort
Overall Performance
Willingness to Accept the Challenge of the More Difficult Problems and Exercises
Command of Mathematics When Compared to Other Students Whom You Have Taught
Academic Potential
Academic Achievement
Intellectual Curiosity
Effort/Determination
Ability to Work Independently
Organization
Creativity
Willingness to Take Intellectual Risks
Concern for Others
Honesty/Integrity
Self-esteem
Maturity (relative to age)
Responsibility
Respect Accorded by Faculty
Respect Accorded by Peers
Emotional Stability
Overall Evaluation as a Person
Overall Evaluation as a Student</p>
<p>I’d like to echo GMT’s words that, “The kind of EC/sport you select is not as important as how passionately you apply yourself in it.” Finding an EC to get into high school is not the best strategy, because you won’t – you can’t love it the way you would in a more natural situation, and the A/Os can see through that. You can use the fact that you have an application to fill out soon to stimulate yourself; but ultimately you have to find something that you truly love, no matter how obscure (probably even better if it’s obscure!), and just delve in.</p>
<p>I also would not obsess over the EC’s. You are entering 9th grade. There are not that many things you could have accomplished on your own without even minimal parental help (driving to activities comes to mind). Get involved in one or two clubs that are truly interesting to you, or sign up for 5 to see which one or two works best for you (but dont list all five it makes the adcoms eyes glaze over). Similarly with a sport - if there is one that you truly like - go for it. If you do it all year long - great. Or you can be a 3 season athlete - also great.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the great advice! I think I’ll be joining a couple of clubs for now and doing cross-country for my fall sport.</p>
<p>When you get to boarding school you are going to have to-probably-participate in three seasons of sports, but lots of kids try new sports for the first time. You will have your varsity athletes, but there will also be JV and thirds (for those who are just trying out something and learning the basics). If you don’t want to do sports, some sort of option is usually available like sports trainer or possibly drama or music at least one term.</p>
<p>I would expect on the application side though, many kids are in the same boat having not a huge laundry list of ECs. Don’t get freaked out by the “chance me” threads where everyone has been accomplishing steadily since birth. It’s the exception, not the rule. (And believe me, these achievers impress me too.) But these schools want to develop their students, and if they see potential for growth, they will want you not for what you have already done, but what you can be.</p>