<p>Hey guys I'm an international student from Azerbaijan ( it's a freckle-sized country in Eastern Europe), and this year im gonna apply to several U.S. boarding schools such as Andover, Milton, Exeter, etc. I can't take the SSAT in my country, so i was recommended to take the PSAT instead. Hopefully, the prep books will help me to score higher. Right now I'm a sophomore, my GPA is 4.0, i speak four languages, and try to be involved in sports as much as possible. I've also been to four MUN conferences. So far I haven't personally met anyone who attended a boarding school in the U.S, that's why I'm a bit unsure about my chances of being accepted. Do you think I'll be able to get in? Thank you.</p>
<p>Hello (:, </p>
<p>I am also applying to a boarding school in the U.S.</p>
<p>It’s hard to tell with just that information (and the admissions process, no matter what other people might say, is still very much based on luck), but I think you have a chance. Those schools love international students and diversity, and Azerbaijan is definitely underrepresented. (Correct me if I’m mistaken.)</p>
<p>Do you have any hooks/ anything different about you that sets you apart from other students? What is your main strength academically?</p>
<p>Are you an international student as well? Where are you going to apply?</p>
<p>Yeah I’m sure that no one from my country has ever been to those schools. In fact, I couldnt request a catalog from one school, simply because they didnt have Azerbaijan in their database. the fact that there are no Azerbaijani students in most of the American boarding schools is actually a huge advantage for me…</p>
<p>I guess I don’t have any special talents. I try my best in everything, and perhaps my diligence helps me to succeed. There’s definitely not many extracurriculars at my school, which lowers my chances significantly. Academically, I get high grades in every subject, but history (along with other humanities) is my favorite. As a freshman I finished Geometry and started Algebra 2, hence I think math isn’t my main strength.</p>
<p>I want to hear more about you! Which grade are you in, do you play sports, and what are your favorite activities?
:)</p>
<p>Nope, I live in the US.</p>
<p>It could definitely be an advantage…History is my favorite subject as well! Just be sure to do well on the entrance exam and the TOEFL if you have to take it, because many times they reject people (especially east asian international students) for reasons to do with English. Your English seems very good though, so shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>I’m applying as a ninth grader next year. 
I actually don’t play many sports, but I used to figure skate to a fairly high level and some minor sports like soccer, etc. My favorite activities are mainly writing and debating, I have a high interest in history, philosophy and religion also.</p>
<p>It’s going to be my second year in an international school, so my TOEFL score should be satisfying…But yeah English seems to be a problem for me as well, since I’m not a native speaker, which makes me slightly unconfident sometimes… But the fact that I’m fluent in 3 languages and half fluent in french will help me…
Honestly, I wasn’t strong athletically until freshman year, and beginner’s luck helped me to achieve relatively a lot for 1 year. Figure skating sounds amazing, I tried it in middle school, but then I realized that I’m too clusmy for such kind of sport.
oh I love debating, I’m actually going to take a debate class this year (it’s an elective). In one of the threads I’ve read that you attended some MUN conferences? I enjoy them so much, especially the ones outside of my country.
I also love drama & theater, and once I had a main role in a professional play that was later shown on TV…
By the do you know if I should mention the presidential award for academic excellence in my application? Does it actually mean something to boarding schools?</p>
<p>I see. I’m fluent in 2 languages myself, and learning French. (:
Cool, I wish my school had a debating elective. And I’ve never attended an MUN conference (must be a different person) but I wish I could (esp. in a different country), it sounds amazing + I love traveling.
Professional play? That’s impressive.</p>
<p>As for the Presidential Award it’s up to you…In my school over 20 kids got it so it wouldn’t be particularly impressive, but maybe for your school it’s different.</p>
<p>vouz parlez francais, oui? j’aime cette langue aussi !
oops sorry i probably read too many threads today xD Travelling is awesome, it gives you so much life experience in general…
Yeah that’s the reason why doubt it’s gonna impress them somehow, but i’ll give it a try. After all, it should be o.k. for me since I’m an international student…
So, are you in 8th grade this year? I wish I applied earlier in high school, since it’s harder to get in when you’re older. But two years ago I hardly spoke any English, so no school would accept me for sure :D</p>
<p>@Yazmie j’adore cette langue. A mon avis, Francais est la langue la plus belle sur la terre :)</p>
<p>I’m an international student living in Hong Kong, I think you saw my question about Middlesex chances. In our city, SO MANY kids apply for boarding school each year, it practically becomes a small talk conversation :\ I went to the doctor’s in February last year and she asked me if I was applying or not. lol. In our grade at least 15 students applied to be rising 9th graders, and all of them apart from one (I think?) got into some really good schools like Choate, Lawrenceville, Groton, Exeter, Hotchkiss, etc. While the international pool of students applying is reputedly a very tough market, most of the people I have known that have applied have gotten in. Don’t worry too much about it :)</p>
<p>(Rising9th grader, looking to apply for 10th grade)</p>
<p>Salut @StacyR ! Oui, vraiment francais est maqnifique mas il ya une langue que je prefere plus. Peut-etre russe est ma langue favorite parce que j’ai etudie russe pendent neuf ans… I really want to become more fluent in French, I’ve only studied it for 1 year and that’s certainly not enough…</p>
<p>If I’m not mistaken I even commented on your thread, you seem to be an outstanding candidate 
Is Middlesex your only choice, or do you plan applying to other schools? Andover is my first choice, no wonder. I also have a strong favor for Milton, but they will only accept 15 people applying for 11th grade. 
The odds of getting in 10th & 9th grade are much higher rather than in 11th grade… </p>
<p>lol the incident with the doctor shows the prevalence of boarding school applicants in your city ! yeah in my situation it’s definitely the opposite. In fact, I only know one person who studies in U.S. boarding school, but he doesn’t attend a very decent one that’s why that person can’t help me much I really need help & reviews from people who either study in boarding schools, or at least apply there… The vast majority of high school students I know who study abroad usually go to the U.K., Swiss, or Austria. Some might say that’s simply because the European countries are closer to Azerbaijan, but in my opinion they’re merely looking for places with less expectations… </p>
<p>P.S. thanks a lot for your support ! ^_^</p>