It's time to stop chancing each other and give back to future applicants...

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
21

Here’s one thing that I think can really help you stand out in the applicant pool: do UNIQUE community service activities.
Rather than going to the soup kitchen every day of your life, find a way to contribute to your community that shows your passions! For example, I really really care about equal educational opportunities, so I travel to Jamaica every year to hand out learning materials to underprivileged kids in the public schools system! Another example: I am really passionate about sustainability/eco-footprint minimization, so I organized a food donation system in my school where leftovers in the cafeteria are donated!
If you have something that you are passionate about, try to find a way to share this with your community, or to service your community utilizing this skill! Collaborate with principals, teachers, music instructors, etc!

Andover’s motto is “non sibi” meaning “not for self”! DISPLAY YOUR NON SIBI SPIRIT!

22

In addition to the above…

Its equally important to demonstrate dedication to community service… Showing dedication to one service for a long duration (in regular intervals) is impressive. It shows dedication and persistence to do something throughout the year…
Doing a community service (unique or no) for just a couple months is not the same…

23

In addition to above…

I live in the countryside. My family doesn’t have enough money to take me to Jamaica every year, although I wish they did. I am not exposed to as many opportunities as many other applicants are. I don’t have any unique service activities I can join in the small town I live in. The most I can do is shelve books at the library (which is a lot more tedious than it sounds.) I’m not mocking or trying to be mean to anyone who is able to do more, and if anything I encourage you to keep doing that if you can!

I know some applicants are like me and they read about other people who have a lot more EC’s than them and a lot more experience in, well, anything and everything. However, never use your situation as an excuse. The Ao’s know about your situation, and now they want to know what you did with it. Go out and make the most out of your situation. I reached out this year to volunteer work. I joined clubs like Mathcounts and participated in the Science fair-- this year was my first year for all! Not only will this look good on your application and to the AO’s, but it’s good for you in general. I made it to the Chapter competition! I’m going to the District science fair next week! And the best part is, I’m going to continue doing science fair-- it’s really fun for me! I’m want to keep working at the library-- it’s really fun and I get to work in an environment I love.

Do anything you can, and if your school doesn’t offer volunteer opportunities or clubs, do things yourself that you feel passionate about. Again, make the most out of what you’ve got. I promise there’s more than you think you can do.

Sorry, I’m not very good at conveying ideas clearly, but basically…never give up, regardless of your situation.

Also, the points above by Nico and Atria were wonderful.

Also…remind me any grammar or spelling mistakes if you find any, thanks :slight_smile: .

24

Since we are on this topic:

When people say community service, you envision food drives, helping poor, rescuing animals, etc. The fact is, community service can be anything; as long as you goal is to help someone else. It doesn’t need to be large or extravagant. Any effort counts. You don’t have a community service program? Create one, gather a group of friends and organize a food drive, build a fence, etc… Or even simpler: help your elderly neighbor with her grocery bags… Take her dog out for a walk… What are your interests? Perhaps you are good at art or dance. Organize a intro class (it doesn’t have to be somewhere special… a local community center, or even your house) for the kids in your neighborhood…Yes some of these things you can’t account for in your app… But you know what… The application doesn’t decide you life… The experiences that you will get and the exposure that you will receive is invaluable…

So yea that’s my mini spiel… Go help someone… :smiley:

25

I, for one, volunteer at the Ojai Raptor Center (I’m into birds)!

26

Really nice posts, everyone! Thank you so much!! There is always room for more !!

Convalescent Homes ( as an example ) are always looking for volunteers. I imagine a young musician playing for the elderly on a quiet Sunday afternoon, or a young person reading to someone who can no longer see… those are just a two lovely ways ( off the top of my head ) that someone anywhere can share their time, talent, and make a difference in someone’s life .

It never needs to be grand… just meaningful to you.

27

@HhopefulFforSsuccess2021 You should be immensely proud of how resourceful you’ve been, coming from the countryside… Seriously: no matter the outcome on Friday, just realize all of the amazing thing’s you’ve done! :)>-

28

Identify what makes you awesome and ask those close to you who know you best, and focus on that! Don’t try to be anyone else, that’s already taken, (to paraphrase Oscar Wilde.) Make your own contribution to your communities and realize you are good enough for any of these schools.

29

I second @HhopefulFforSsuccess2021 . AO’s are looking for creative innovators who know how to use different situations to their advantage. When I lived in the rural south, I didn’t have half the opportunities that I currently do in the city. I applaud you for taking the initiative to contribute to your community! I also second what Nico said about devoting yourself into community service opportunities you care about. Doing community service for the sake of looking good to AO’s seems sketchy to me, and taking action for causes you love allows you to expand on your interests. AO’s will get a better idea of what you stand for.

30

Another important note: Although test scores are an important part of your application, DONT OBSESS OVER THEM. If you are applying to Andover and get a 90% on the ssat, you’re in fine shape! going from a 90-93% really won’t make a difference (and it’s harder than you think to improve your score). Just get within the school’s range, and relax. If you don’t have enough EC’s or are lacking in another part of your application, great test scores can help fill that gap BUT again, a 2% change won’t make a difference in your application. Good luck!

31

One more thing: Be yourself. Love the school that loves you.

32

For the SSAT: I had the opportunity to take it 3 times, and the first time I took it blindly. I did not study at all. If you do have to opportunity to do this, it might help show you what areas you are strong in, and what areas you need to do extra work in. I also had a tutor that I met with once a week, and i HIGHLY recommend getting a tutor. At first I was a little stubborn and didn’t want a tutor, but once I went I realized how much of an impact the tutoring had on my test scores.
For the actual test, just be calm. I can’t stress how important going to sleep early and eating a good breakfast is for the test. You will feel so much better, and you will get a better score. Don’t go into the test freaking out, because it won’t be good for you. Be calm and confident, and you will do great!!

For the application themselves, pick a wide net of schools to apply to if you really want to go to boarding school. Applying for only HADES won’t always be the smartest decision. Don’t be afraid to look into second tier schools and schools you don’t hear about on CC, because you can still be successful even if you don’t go to Exeter. Remember to really be yourself in your essays, and be original. So many people have said this in the past, but you will really stand out to an AO if you really show your personality in your essays. Be sure not to procrastinate!!! I finalized EVERYTHING the day before all my apps were due, and I definitely rushed them.

For the interviews: Be calm and collected. The AOs know how nervous you feel, and they understand. Be sure to ask a lot of questions! I didn’t and I really regret it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the questions you are really wondering, or to just strike up a conversation with your tour guide. They have been in your shoes before! Most schools also require the tour guides to write something about you for your application. Try to have as much fun as you can. Really soak in the school environment, and try to picture yourself being a student. If you can see yourself sitting in those dorms, or if you can picture yourself in that classroom setting, that can help you when you have to narrow down your lists.

Advice for waiting for M10: I was a lurker before M10, and seeing all of these qualified applicants made me really nervous. I read about just about everything. I doubted all aspects of my application process, and I could picture myself being miserable and not succeeding at my school. Just remember, after you click submit on your applications, there’s nothing you can do, It’s all up to the AOs. They know what they are doing, and you will be accepted wherever you fit best. The AOs don’t only look for qualified applications- they are trying to make a class. They want everyone to succeed and be in a supportive environment. It won’t be good to worry about everything, because there’s nothing to do. Just try to calm down. I know it’s hard, but you will honestly feel better. Take a step away from BS. Don’t think about it a lot. Try to focus on your ECs, maintaining your good grades, and maybe pick up a new hobby! Those things helped distract me from M10.

Overall, you will be accepted wherever you fit best. Love the school you go to. Don’t go to a certain school just because it’s a good school with a good matriculation. Make sure you can see yourself thrive in that community. In my experience, my classmates and friends did not support me in my decision to leave my school district. I’ve been in the district since kindergarten, and not many people leave. Because they didn’t support me, I really doubted my decisions. Then, I realized that it doesn’t matter what they think about the situation. The only thing that matters is your happiness, and if you will be truly happy at BS, then go for it!!

I’m really sorry about the length of this, and there are probably many spelling and grammar mistakes. I did not get any sleep last night (waiting for decision emails!!) and I am exhausted right now! The main thing I wanted to say in this is to go with your gut, love the school you go to, try your hardest, and DON’T DOUBT YOURSELF. If you are even considering boarding school, that means you are extremely intelligent and talented. You will end up where you truly belong. Most importantly, have fun.FOr a lot of you, you are in your 8th grade year. Have a great year! Don’t be caught up in what you can’t control. :slight_smile:

33

I forgot to mention this about the SSAT, but please try your best to stay calm while performing it. Try some calming exercises/ breathing exercises. Stay focused. Tell yourself “I can do it, and I will do it.” I remember how anxiety lasted me halfway through the test and I really felt it impacting my performance on it. However, that may have been just me.

Also: Use your time wisely.

34

Thank you for all the wonderful posts! :slight_smile:

35

Hey, y’all! I’ve reflected more since my decisions have come in, and I’ve got more advice.

  • Show admissions officers your aspirations and passions. I talked extensively about my love of activism during the interviews for the two schools I applied to (both HADES) and it definitely stood out to my interviewers. In the notes sent in packages from A and E interviewers, both highlighted my passions and aspirations significantly. Every kid applying to BS has the general good stats and personality, but your passions will distinguish you from others. Tell them what you want to do with your life.
  • Be nice to the kids at the school you’re touring! My friend (who also applied to a HADES school) did a local alum interview, and her interviewer let it slip that sometimes, AOs might ask the kids if you were friendly. I assume everyone will be friendly no matter what, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind.
  • Don’t procrastinate during the app process- you may end up turning in some forms late to a school… (cough, cough, something I may or may not have done.)
  • Don’t be afraid to apply to “second-tier” BSs. Hidden gems are often forgotten because they don’t have the same name value as HADES schools, but their academics and social scenes are often very respectable. Your dream HADES school may not be a good fit, while that “second-tier” school you might have seen mentioned on CC could have been a perfect fit. My friend (the one mentioned earlier) was rejected from her dream school, and she’s seriously mulling in regret that she didn’t apply to Tabor or Emma Willard, schools she only began to look at later.
  • I cannot emphasize the “don’t be complacent” attitude ENOUGH! I know I mentioned this earlier, but I was shocked with a result last weekend, so I’ll say it again. My friend (who has a sibling at Exeter, does nonstop community service, has devoted ECs, had a 98th percentile SSAT score, applied with full pay, had a 5.0 GPA, and wrote amazing essays) was waitlisted at Exeter! If any candidate was ‘perfect,’ it would be her. Our entire community wasn’t worried about her admission (they were more worried about mine lol) and we were all thoroughly shocked upon her decision. Never assume anything! Admission seriously isn’t a guarantee for anyone, no matter what anyone on CC tries to reassure you. At the same time, don’t spend your days stressing in a nonstop flow of anxiety like I did- it isn’t good for your health. Que sera, sera- honestly.
36

I promised myself I wouldn’t, but I’m jumping in! Just for some clarity… :

First off : THERE ARE NO SAFETY SCHOOLS IN THE TOP 30 for ANYONE. Like my caps? These schools are the first choice for many exceptional students ( with rockstar stats ) who want to go!!! “Hidden Gem” applicant pools are insanely competitive, but they don’t attract the kind of traffic that the big NB/AWARE schools do. Think about that.

In other words : If you’re a super “gifted” kid… you won’t be gracing a “HG” with your presence. :wink: Got it? Good.

HADES " or “Tiers” , or some unholy BS Hierarchy ( made up long ago by some newbie CC kid ) doesn’t even exist . That’s just silly and you’re all smarter than that! All students, parents and schools ( in the Top 30 ) consider each other equals, and that goes for many all girl and boy BSs, too. So- if you’re only applying to a certain set of schools based on some ridiculous premise that they’re somehow better, or more prestigious than others… you’re in for a big surprise.

Here’s an interesting tidbit to ponder : If you’ve looked at JBS matriculation lists lately, you will see that many VII form kids/families are staying away from the schools most mentioned here on CC, and I can assure you that it’s not because they can’t get in! Keep in mind that most of these families have access to many SSs, and have already spent a minimum of 150K on their child’s education. Much, much more if they arrived at JBS via their PDS.

That’s not loose change that someone found in their sofa…

If you’re an applicant from another realm, maybe you should try to understand why that is, and see for yourself if this is just an aberration that doesn’t necessarily apply to you , or if it’s an actual trend that you can relate to and understand.

How? Dig. Do your research and look at all schools with an open mind. Make sure that all the BSs you apply-to make sense ( to you AND them ), and make each school earn your application. Otherwise, you’re just throwing darts at a dart board, and it WILL show during your interviews and on your apps.

The first question, after all , is always going to be : Why are you here? Find the answer and make your case for admission. You don’t need NASA summer camp to figure this one out.

I think a decision this big ( that will definitely impact the next four years of your life ) requires a little more branching out and in-depth research- don’t you? :slight_smile:

37

Sorry if I suggested anything I didn’t mean to! I totally agree with everything @PhotographerMom posted.

38

Just a simple clarification, @monica20 . No worries. :slight_smile: All the best and I hope you have an amazing year next year!

39

Thanks ! I love this thread idea, btw.

40

This has definitely been my favorite thread to post on so far :slight_smile: