I'm pathetically desperate. Help...?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Sorry, I know everyone hates chances threads, but I kind of need to know them because I might not apply if I have no chance and I'm terrified of not getting in and I'm in a... unique situation here. I need to go to boarding school. Thank you SO SO SO much! :) You're all lifesavers!</p>

<p><em>deep breath</em>
Background:
I go to a really good private school in New York and I'm applying as a repeat 11th grader. I'm a hispanic girl. I'm applying to Milton, Deerfield, Cabridge School of Weston (safety), Andover, Exeter, and Hotchkiss. Maybe Taft as well. I'm also applying to a few schools in Australia, but if I get into one of my boarding schools in America, I'll probably leave the one in Australia to go one of these. Or something. </p>

<p>Grades/Scores:
I have an A- average and I only got a 200 on the psat's (no sleep the night before) but it is the 96th %ile. I took the ISEE's as well (99% Math, (97% QR, 95% Vocab, 88% Reading) but I don't think the schools are going to see that.</p>

<p>Possible Hooks:
I speak five languages fluently and mostly understand 9 (includes the 5 I speak).
I'm an excellent writer. (Portfolio)
I'm two years ahead in math.
I'm hispanic.
I play hockey.</p>

<p>EC's:
Science Research Program (had to apply to go)
Girls Hockey Team (possible captain this spring)
Math Team
Tutoring Underprivileged Students With Learning Disabilities (got an award for it)
Girls Write Now (writing program, had to apply to go)
School Magazine (78) (editor in chief)
School Newspaper (Rampage)
Chinese Club (captain)
Piano (since age 5)
Chorus
The Debate Team
French Magazine
Helped run carnival at the Hamilton-Madison House
Art Club
School Drumming Club (don't ask lol - I did it in 9th grade)</p>

<p>Summer Programs:
Sleepaway camp: Fernwood Cove
Columbia High School Summer Program: Advanced Creative Writing</p>

<p>Negative Factors:
Terrible Attendance. Like, dismal attendance records. Really.</p>

<p>What do you think? Do I have a chance at any of these places? Please be honest! Is my schools list good? Should I add/take away any of those schools? </p>

<p>Thanks SO much!!!</p>

2

<p>this is a confusing post</p>

<p>questions and comments regarding post:</p>

<ol>
<li> none of your possible hooks are hooks except for maybe the languages (depends on the level.. eg, if the 5 languages you speak are english, spanish, french, portugese, and german.. then it wouldn't count as much as swahili, arikaans, dutch, korean, and english..).. list the languages and the level and how long you've been studying and by what means</li>
<li>why would the schools not see your ISEE scores? were these from a few years ago?</li>
<li>do you need financial aid?</li>
<li>do you have an art portfolio?</li>
<li>is hockey the only sport you play?</li>
<li>something you did in 9th grade does not count when you're in 12th grade</li>
<li>your grades are okay, but keep in mind that many applicants have like, straight A+, but theres not much you can do there.. how many AP courses are you taking?</li>
<li>what level of math are you on?</li>
<li>have you done any interviews yet? how did they go?</li>
<li>how are your teacher recs? (eg, "she's a very good student and works hard" or "this is the most brilliant girl i've ever met. she's amazing.. she has an amazing appetite and is the best student i have ever had")</li>
<li>help running a carnival is NOT an EC</li>
<li>for the french mag and school newspaper, what do you do? write a piece every now and then? or do you have a column?</li>
<li>piano is played by sooo many of these applicants that i doubt it will even count.. just a personal, subjective opinion-take it w/ a grain..</li>
<li>you went to sleepaway camp? or you worked at one? going to sleepaay camp is not an EC..</li>
<li>community service? just the tuoring?</li>
<li>are you a recruited hockey player? Eg, are you 6’’2 and 210 pouns and you have killed three opponents just by you rbrute force? Lol, otherwise, it’s not a hook.</li>
<li> how many of these EC's do you do on a regular basis? it seems like only the newspapers and debate team you do on a regular basis.. everything else seems to be like a one-time jaunt</li>
<li>portfolio: is it your newspaper magazine pieces? or is it poetry? is it stuff you did at school? Has any of it been published in a real newspaper (not school)?</li>
<li>why are you choosing to repeat 11th grade? .. this is serious, you know.. that’s 5 years of high school!</li>
<li>is the school you go to highly renowned by top colleges?</li>
<li>being hispanic is not a hook</li>
<li>coming form new york might be a disadvantage because they have so many kids from there</li>
<li>and the absenses will be a huge disadvantage.. it shows you're not dedicated (if you are or you aren't that's what that says).</li>
<li>from what i've heard, the columbia writing program isn't that competitive to get into.. but that's just what i've heard.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>wow long post.. i have so much energy right now hahaha.. jesus christ.</p>

4

<ol>
<li>English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Hebrew. I understand Gallego, Ladino, Italian, and some Turkish.</li>
<li>They were from August, but I think they only see PSAT scores, because that's what they ask for if you're applying in 11th grade.</li>
<li>No.</li>
<li>I have a writing portfolio.</li>
<li>Yes. But I'm good. :p</li>
<li>They ask for it anyway.</li>
<li>I go to one of the best private day schools in the country. Nobody gets A+'s at my school, tons go to ivies, and we don't really do the whole AP thing. We can only take them senior year unless we're special in math (like me) or we self-study them. I go to school from 8-5, do ec's and get home at 7 or 8, so I don't really have time to do that. And I don't have to, anyway. Not from my school. </li>
<li>I'm taking AP Stat this year, but I took Honors Precalc and intro to Calc last year. I can do BC this year. It's not maniac genius, but it's fine. </li>
<li>No interviews yet.</li>
<li>I didn't read them, so I don't know. I have one amazing one that I did get to see from my English teacher from a few years ago (we keep in touch) but I haven't seen any others. My English teacher this year really likes me and raved about me on the evaluations (we get written comments instead of grades 1st and 3rd terms) and my Math teacher has told me in the past that I am an excellent math student.</li>
<li>Yes it is, if you're running it for a program that's specifically for economicaly disadvantaged inner city kids. It was part of their summer camp, and I got community service hours for it. So yeah, it is.</li>
<li>I write for the french magazine, I'm the editor in chief of the school mag, I was associate editor last year, the copy editor the year before and I'm a contributer as well. </li>
<li>That's fine. I just put it down anyway. I didn't say that I was good at everything, and it's not really my hook. It's just something I like to do. </li>
<li>I went to one, and I didn't say it was an EC. Columbia's not an EC either. Some applications ask what you do over your summers, so that's my answer.</li>
<li>Major tutoring. Three kids, six hours a week. And these kids are dyslexic, adhd, etc. These aren't regular kids who are getting tutored to get ahead.</li>
<li>I'm not recruited, but I'm a girl. We're not 210 pounds.</li>
<li>It's all on a regular basis. I'll go through it quickly for you: Science Research is every tuesday and thursday, Hockey is every wednesday in the spring, math team is every other week, tutoring is wed. and fri., girls write now is every saturday plus weekly meetings with my mentor (prof. writer), school magazine- we have meetings like once a month but I contribute several hours a week to it - I do layout and stuff as well, chinese club- every monday, piano- every friday (late), carnival was a one time thing, art club- every tuesday, drumming club- during lunch in the spring once a week (days vary). That's it. See? I don't really have very many one-time things.</li>
<li>poetry and short fiction. It's not published, but it's very good. People think I should get it published. I just don't know where to. And by people, I mean professional writers and teachers and people like that.</li>
<li>I'm choosing to repeat 11th grade because of my terrible attendance record. And I need to switch schools. And no decent school in NYC takes new seniors.</li>
<li>Yes. It is one of the best in NY and that makes it one of the best in the country. </li>
<li>It is. I'm a paying hispanic. That's a hook. Not many paying hispanics apply.</li>
<li>Okay.</li>
<li>Yeah, I know. That's why I put up the chances. I'm looking for places that won't care. </li>
<li>Yeah, it's not really competitive, but it's really good. And it's just something I've done. I wasn't bragging. lol...?</li>
</ol>

<p>You sound kind of vicious lol. Are you applying for the 11th grade, too? haha</p>

5

<p>Wow. I am not even going to try to address all of the opinions expressed above that I disagree with, but with respect to hockey I will say it absolutely can be a hook, particularly for girls. Girls hockey programs at many of these schools are serious and coaches can have input on admissions process for girls they expect to contribute to their programs. My daughter (applying for 9th grade) has been playing since she was 8, mostly with boys programs but also with older girls programs. Based on our interviews and interaction with coaches and adcoms we expect this to have an impact on the admissions decision at some of the schools she is applying to. Oh, and she is 5'2", 120 lbs.</p>

6

<p>blairt - be careful about giving out misinformation. Being hispanic is a hook. There's been discussion on this forum about URM.</p>

<p>Purpoisepal - I think you have a lot going for you but your attendance record could be a major issue. That is important to schools and tardys/absences are reported by your school on the school form that is required.</p>

<p>Are your parents supportive of you going to boarding school? </p>

<p>Why not give it a shot? You won't know unless you try. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>pPal-i have a link i'm trying to look for you, but i'm swamped with work right now.</p>

<p>i'm too busy to respond in depth to what you posted, but i will get back to you. i have to take 7 tests today and 2 essays are due.. so, i'm not really supposed to be on forums right now.</p>

<p>ps - i was being sarcastic about the hockey. my point was that if you're not RECRUITED it's not a hook, but a strong EC. your hockey is great, but it's not as great as someone who has been scouted or something.. that's what i mean by a strong hook.</p>

8

<p>all schools are high reaches, besides ur safety..maybe taft would be a lower reach but still kinda reachy matchy...but what not..apply anyway</p>

9

<p>becoz psat of 200 really doesnt cut it.. it is below average at hotchkiss, for existing 11th graders</p>

10

<p>I think you would be surprised what it takes to be "recruited" in girl's hockey. The pool is just not that big. A lot of JV girls are playing hockey for the first time or maybe have only played very developmentally for a year or two. If you have done much more than that you may have varsity potential at some schools. Yes, if you are not a high profile player playing with one of the superclubs the coach is very unlikely to know who you are make an incoming call to you, but if you reach out to the coach, make them aware of who you are, get them some references and maybe get them a chance to see you play (either live or on tape) you absolutely can be "recruited".</p>

11

<p>yes, but she hasn't even interviewed at any schools yet. she's not even sure she's applying. let alone taped herself playing, met the coach and talked about "recruiting". also, these teams already have their basic players by 11th grade. at this time, they're looking for serious recruited athletes and people to fill in the spots that are missing from drop out players, etc.</p>

<p>i just noticed your psat scores.. i agree w/ bearcats. it really is pretty low. i mean, the score the get recognized is around 220 or something (depending on where you live).. and this is competing against a wide range of high school juniors, not just a competitive group of kids applying to private schools, so percentiles don't count for much.</p>

<p>i still dont have that link..</p>

12

<p>You have been able to maintain high grades in a competitive school, so that is very good. If you are really fluent in all those languages, that might be of high interst to Admissions. Your hispanic heritage is a plus. Your leadership positions are good. Your attendence record is an area of concern, but I have no way of knowing how much concern. </p>

<p>If I were in your position, I would find at least one more match/safety and go for the others knowing that they are a reach for almost everyone, especially 11th grade applicants. Because of its proximity, Taft has many applicants from NY, but not as many as from CT.</p>

13

<p>do you think taft is a safety, Burb Parent? it's relatively competitive, i think..</p>

14

<p>No. Taft has become quite competitive, especially for people in or around NYC and parts of CT. It is not as far away as many other options. Their acceptance rate for the class entering fall 2005 was 27%. It probably dropped because 2006 was very competitive. At those rates I don't think it's safe to consider it a safety.</p>

15

<p>oh, ok, thought so. it seemed like you told her to apply there because she might have a better chance there.</p>

16

<p>taft is safety for noone, it's only a notch lower than the top 7 and 8 schools
they are also known for playing the number game...they know they are prestigious and selective but is just not as prestigious as AESD, choate, hotchkiss and milton but since they are competitive they share a lot of applicants with the previous 7 schools...very much like cornell's situation in the ivies...so they wont hesistate to waitlist or reject applicants whom they think are not commited to them...</p>

17

<p>Combining the thoughts in recent posts (hockey and Taft), I believe if you look at their roster they will have something like 8-10 open spots on their varsity next year so they will be looking for players at multiple grade levels. Given where Taft falls in the hockey world they are admittedly probably looking for players on the more experienced end of spectrum than some schools. We liked the coach there a lot. It is true that it is late in the process to start the discussions with a coach. Most people would have started them in the fall or even last spring, but if you are a decent player I would say still make the call if the schools you are considering have teams. The pool of girl hockey players out there is just not that big. It couldn't hurt and it definitely could help.</p>

18

<p>My parents are supportive this time (thank god! lol). yay!</p>

<p>About the psat scores- should I just submit my ISEE ones? They don't really specify which to submit if you're a repeat 11th grader.</p>

<p>About hockey- it's not field hockey. It's indoor hockey, which they don't play. I'm sure that I could adapt to it, though. And I can't tape it because we have no games until the spring. Indoor hockey's like ice hockey in a gym.</p>

<p>About another match/safety- Any ideas? I'd rather the school be mostly boarders and I like being close to cities but I don't have to be. The cleaner and prettier the school, the better. Could Emma Willard and/or Ms. Porter's qualify as a match for me?</p>

19

<p>..isee is for day schools. some schools accept the scores for their 8th, 9th, and 10th grade applicants, but definetly not for 11th grade and definetly not BY an 11th grader. esp. if you got more than one wrong on that test because really, what 17 year old should get anything wrong on that test? it covers elementry algebra and middle school vocabulary.. i'm sure they couldn't take it seriously.. you don't have any SAT scores?? thats what they want from people in their junior year. anyway, most boarding schools don't accept isee anyway (and the ones that do accept it as a vice for kids near by applying to mostly day schools.. i checked with adcoms on this one.)...you could take the SSAT in february.. you need to sign up now though.</p>

<p>northfield mount hermon</p>

<p>emma w and ms port are NOT safeties. they're not intense, but they're not safeties. have you been to any of the campuses? when do you plan on doing the 8 or so interviews and touring?</p>

20

<p>Sorry, I assumed you were talking about ice hockey. Obviously any sport they don't play is not of use and any sport played recreationally or intraschool is probably of only little value. Coaches are looking for serious club level or interscholastic play.</p>