It's not too late...

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>It's not too late if you want to:</p>

<p>1) Add updated grades to your application file. Especially if that B in the first quarter went up to an A- in the second quarter. If the A- went down to a B, though, that's another story....</p>

<p>2) Apply for financial aid or withdraw your application for financial aid, whichever might be applicable. However, if you are applying for financial aid, get your info in quickly. Really quickly. As they say where I grew up--"get it in right quick."</p>

<p>3) Apply to a boarding school for September 2009. Check the SCCA list here: <a href="http://www.ssat.org/publicsite.nsf/ssat/info/SCCA+List%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ssat.org/publicsite.nsf/ssat/info/SCCA+List&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>4) Thank your teachers, guidance counselor, coach, neighbor, band director, etc., for the lovely recommendation letters they wrote on your behalf. You have no idea how important these recommendations are when we read your applications. I continue to be amazed at how supportive your teachers are of your candidacy for admission. I have read comments like "the most promising student I have taught in 38 years" and "if I had a son, I would want him to be like _______." Especially if you attend a public school--it is nowhere in your teacher or guidance counselor's job description that he/she needs to fill out private school recommendations--so please take the time to thank them for their time and effort.</p>

<p>5) Thank your parents for their time and effort, the sacrifices they have made for you, and their unconditional love and support. If your parents are a little hard on you (as mine were when I was your age), remember that they mean well, they just want the best for you. Keep in mind that this is a stressful time for them as well. They want to see you succeed, but a big part of them doesn't actually want you to leave home at age 14 or 15. :)</p>

<p>The letters will go out soon. But it's not too late.</p>

<p>Best of luck,
Gemma Vee</p>

2

<p>GemmaV I have a quick question. This question has been tossed around CC quite a few times and I was wondering. In Need blind schools-- ie. Exeter, SPS, Andover, etc.;-- does withdrawing FA help in anyway. </p>

<p>A certain parent once said that he stopped receiving the attention that he used to once he put in his application for Financial Aid. </p>

<p>My other question is, not really relevant to my status (for my friend) if he had around 91 SSAT, OK grades (healthy mix of As and Bs) but amazing reccomendations (I am not sure how amazing, but I saw most of the teachers tell him good luck and that it was easy writing him an amazing rec.) will it be important for him to bring his grades up.</p>

<p>Oh and thanks for everything you have done for us this season, I have learned a lot and I am sure this community has also.</p>

3

<p>Gemmav, you must from the southeast. n.c. or va?</p>

4

<p>Possibly, why do you say that?</p>

5

<p>GemmaVee, thank-you for the wonderful thoughts and reminders. You have been very helpful and encouraging as I've read your posts. I like to think that you work in any of the schools that my daughter has applied to...because in the end, you seem very fair.</p>

6

<p>Is it helpful to write to your first choice school to let them know that it is your first choice? I have always heard that it is a good idea so that the school will know that you will accept a position if offered. Or does it send a signal that you are a little concerned (or in some cases desperate) about getting into a specific school? Advice please.</p>