<p>I am actually really surprised by some of the posts... I think you would be a amazing candidate. In my opinion, you have the best chances of anyone on the prep school forum (this is coming from someone that has ACTUALLY gone through the admissions process for competitive schools in the Washington D.C area, although I admit I don't know as much about the boarding school process..) </p>
<p>If the school you really go to is one of the elite ones in New York, like Dalton or Horace Mann etc, then A minuses count for ALOT more than say someone that has A plus pluses but home schools.. Also, if it is one of the top schools than the boarding schools that you are applying to will have heard of it and know that getting A minuses is a huge accomplishment. </p>
<p>I agree with some of the above posters about the attendance record thing. Is there a particular reason why you missed so much school? If so, definetly write a little note on your application and mention it in your interviews. </p>
<p>Blairt- I'm doing all of my interviews over the phone. And I'm visiting after I get in. You only fall in love with a place after you see it (for the most part) and I don't want to fall in love with a place that rejects me.</p>
<p>Biffgnar- I ice-skate really well. I could learn to play ice hockey.</p>
<p>Blairt- I didn't ask if Miss Porter's and Emma Willard were safeties. I asked if they were matches.</p>
<p>soccerprep, pls look at the calibre of the schools he's applying to....the top 6 most prestigious (well milton is not really as prestigious but they are actually at the same competitive level) in the country and a safety.... dont give him unrealistic hope...PSAT 200 doesnt cut it, it's just a fact..it's below average compared to the student body...
"competitive schools in the Washington D.C area" is not AESDCH ....</p>
<p>Soccerprep- Thank you! That's really nice of you! lol I just had my interview with Milton, and I mentioned it and I'll write a little note. I think it might be okay.</p>
<p>A) I definetly NEVER said that competitive schools in the D.C. area are AESD. I understand that they are different and that it is more difficult to get in to AESD.
B) I believe that the he that you are refering to is actually a she.
C)200 on the PSAT is not amazing, I agree. However, you have to remember that she did it on zero sleep or whatever and that getting around 96 percentile is around enough to be in the lowest group for the National Merits. Which does cut it.
D) also bearcats, if you think that a hispanic girl that speaks 5 languages fluently, tutors children, plays hockey and might be the captain, and goes to a very competitive school in nyc with A minuses has a high reach for all of those schools minus her safety, than what exactly CAN get you in to Hotchkiss? Perhaps you can post your stats?</p>
<p>You should absolutely consider taking up ice hockey if you skate and understand the principles of the game from playing floor hockey. Might not help you in admissions at this point, but could be a fun thing to do at school. Whether you do it at a varsity or a JV level probably depends on the school. Varsity is pretty serious at some schools and is usually girls who have played for 5+ years and who have potential to play college hockey. That isn't true at all schools though. NMH was mentioned above. They have a good boys ice hockey program, but I think their girls program is relatively new and is potentially attracting a different level of player than say Taft which was also metioned above. At many schools I would think you could play JV if you skate and understand the game. Most schools (even the most serious) have open tryouts for hockey before Thanksgiving. The coach usually has a pretty good idea before the tryouts as to who is going to end up where, but nobody is promised anything. As I mentioned above, the pool of girl hockey players is limited so coaches, players, parents, etc. all welcome and encourage new participants.</p>
<p>Bearcats, you'd be surprised. Competitive schools in the DC area are actually comparable to top boarding schools and NY day schools. And I'm a girl. Read the background information I posted at the top. I didn't do so well on the PSAT's, but the curve is lower this year (as in, 96th %ile was a higher score last year) and I got no sleep the night before, so as long as I write a little note explaining the score and I attach my ISEE's (which they would like to see if it describes my abilities a little better- I took it in August) I should be fine as far as that goes. And going to a top private school actually does count for a lot. If it counts for college, then why shouldn't it count for high school? If people with lower grades and scores than mine have gotten into UPenn and Columbia, then why wouldn't I get into a top high school?</p>
<p>Haha your welcome :) I think some of the juniors also applying to boarding schools on CC right now are just being ultra competitive and therefore feel the need to be as negative as possible about another junior candidate..</p>
<p>P'Pal, you say you are an A- student at prestigious NYC high school, speaks five lanuages, take advanced math, tutor students with needs, are editor in cheif of a school magazine, are on the debate team, and are otherwise involved in a plethera of school activities.</p>
<p>OK, so...</p>
<p>You want to apply under an extremely tight timeframe to a list of boarding schools, sight unseen, for a highly competitive slot as a repeat 11th grader with a poor attendance record and no outstanding athletic abilities, WHY???</p>
<p>Seems to me you are doing very well where you are. Why not stick it out where when you are so close going to college?</p>
<p>I am, I do, etc. But I hate my school. Just because I do well, everyone thinks I must love it or something. I don't, and I'm miserable. I can't stay here next year. Plus, I go to a Jewish school, so I take 5 extra classes, and they give as much work as the regular 5 do. And I'm not even religious! And then, there are personal reasons for wanting to go. Reasons I won't even go into on CC. But they're very good reasons. </p>
<p>I can't stick it out. </p>
<p>But do you think I won't get in? Just because I'm not really into sports doesn't mean I won't get in, and yeah, my attendance sucks. But it would be better at another school! The school is kind of part of why I don't really go all that often and... yeah. I need to get out.</p>
<p>96% Means Nothing Becaues It's Psat, A Wide Range Of People Take It
and attaching a note saying the score's a fluke really means nothing, everyone can do that..if everyone does that, the score really means nothing and there's no point for standardize tests</p>
<p>Sorry that you are so unhappy where you are. Of course it's worth trying to go to a different school if you are unhappy. I would think, though, that the admissions at any school will ask the same question I did. They will expect a forthright answer. If you are going to undertake the challenge of applying late for a selective spot, just be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. I am not qualified so answer the "chances", nor is anyone on this forum. In my opinion, however, you appear to be a highly motivated student with as good a shot as anyone.
Best wishes.</p>
<p>Sorry about the repeat post. My daughter is applying to boarding schools. A question that comes up in interviews and in applications is: tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you faced and how did you turn it around? Think about it.</p>
<p>bearcats- you have got to start reading what I/others actually WRITE.</p>
<p>I did NOT say attach a note explaining the psat scores, I said :</p>
<p>I agree with some of the above posters about the attendance record thing. Is there a particular reason why you missed so much school? If so, definetly write a little note on your application and mention it in your interviews.</p>
<p>That is completely different, unless you have another reason about how Hotchkiss won't take a kid that just writes a little note about why they missed school....?</p>
<p>Also, bearcats can you post your stats? I am really intersested to see what a Hotchkiss worthy student must do to get in..</p>
<p>Blair, it doesn't matter WHAT sport you do. I keep trying to tell you this. Just because LOADS of applicants play piano (which they don't) doesn't mean that it doesn't COUNT. You don't have to play the oboe to get into Harvard, and you don't have to play croquet to go to Groton. </p>
<p>It doesn't MATTER what you do; it's just that you DO it and HOW you do it.</p>