<p>Hello. I am applying for exeter for my sophomore or "lower" year. I will be going into ninth grade this fall.</p>
<p>In seventh grade, I was a slacker and I didn't do my some homework for any of the classes that I found too easy. I had a few C's but most my grades were A's and B's.</p>
<p>In 8th grade I was on honors all year.</p>
<p>I have been in gifted and advanced classes since 4th grade.</p>
<p>I have a passion for learning and I love it.</p>
<p>I will try to get all A's in 9th grade and be in many EC's.</p>
<p>Do you think I would have a chance at exeter, andover, choate, hotchkiss, peddie and other top boarding schools if they saw my desire to learn.</p>
<p>My family doesn't make a lot of money so I am not as fortunate as the kids on this site that take like 4 different instrument lessons.</p>
<p>I have always been trying to help people and be kind and my community really knows me as the person who will lend a helping hand to anyone.</p>
<p>I want to change the world. Do you think that these schools would take me just because the fire I have?</p>
<p>i think the only way you’re going to be able to show this ‘fire’ is through the interview and essays, because that’s purely a subjective thing. and no, they wouldn’t take you JUST for that because there are hundreds of applicants who’re ambitious and driven just like you.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>agreed with tuesdays.
i was like you.
i didn’t stand out a lot, but my essays and interviews made the difference.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not to put you down but most everyone who applies to these schools have that. What they lack, however, is conveying that in a meaningful manner towards whichever officer takes care of your application.</p>
<p>From what you have written, unless you perform a scholastically exceptional job next year, you will have a hard time. You, until now, have not developed on any ECs. Even if you start in ninth grade you will not be able to (or who am I to judge… it will be difficult for you to…) catch up to a reasonable position on the team/club for it to offset anything but excellent grades and scores.</p>
<p>I understand that family income can seriously hinder your extra curricular activities, but the best people (the ones that get in) do the best they can with it. I cannot judge whether you have done that or not, and someone who can doesn’t have the insight into your life that would allow him to do so. </p>
<p>My best suggestion for you is hold of next year, go to tenth grade at your public school, and apply for the last two years. Moreover, if you are willing to do so, you could repeat the year at boarding school. If you perform well in your school and do what I just recommended I believe you will be in good shape.</p>
<p>Boarding schools don’t look for students who have a passion for learning but never had that real chance (as in with the arts and etc), unless your fire is ‘flaming white’ and you really show your community service and passion for learning in your interview and essay. You always can get into any school you want if you work your h-a-r-d-e-s-t. </p>
<p>What will make you really pop, is how passionate you are. Your family can’t afford music lessons and those things; well, maybe you were so passionate about something that you saved up enough money to buy an old guitar/violin/whatever and taught yourself how to play. Maybe you were so passionate about art that you saved up enough for supplies and always drew and/or painted, and you can send in some of your artwork to the school. And if you have top-notch grades, a great inspiring essay, lots of community service, and you show your bright, eager personality in your interviews, you can get in any of those schools.</p>
<p>Oh great, actually now that I read my previous post, yes, boarding schools do look exactly for students who have a passion for learning, but everybody has a chance – sometimes the situations are a bit harder, but there’s always the chance.
You really can get into those schools, I think. But don’t take that for granted.</p>