<p>I am applying to the Lawrenceville School for my 10th grade year. It is honestly my #1 goal to get into the school. However, I heard it is harder to get admitted in 10th grade. Please let me know if I have a chance.
My current grades are: ( I am in all honors courses)
Biology- C+
Geometry- A
History- A
Algebra 2- B-
English- A+
Spanish- A
Art- A+
In 7th and 8th grade, I had straight A's
Also, I am nationally ranked in speech and debate. My poetry has been featured in a book 4 times. I am on the school basketball team and started playing golf a few months ago. Also, I am on the science team in my school. I am a good artist as well. I am sure I will get above an 85 percentile on the SSAT. Please let me know if I have a chance to get into Lawrenceville. Don't be afraid to be honest, I want opinions. Do you have any tips on the interview or essays? Please let me know. </p>
<p>Hmm. You wanted honesty, right?</p>
<p>I don’t think an 85%-ile and a C+ on your transcript are going to position you too well at an extremely selective school like Lawrenceville. Unless they value debate and need an “impact player” for the team.</p>
<p>As for tips on interviews and essays, use the search tool…there have been numerous posts with advice on the topics for which you seek guidance.</p>
<p>Finally, can I be so bold as to ask why your #1 goal is to get into this particular school?</p>
<p>I live in New Jersey and I love the feel and environment of the school. It seems like the right environment for me. Do you think that if I get say, a 98 percentile I have a chance? Or at least get my Algebra 2 grade to a B+? Thanks. In general, what more do I have to do to get in to a school like Lawrenceville.</p>
<p>You know, I didn’t even see that B-. It was the C+ in Bio that was more of a red flag for me.</p>
<p>A couple of thoughts:</p>
<p>A) I live in NJ too. I’m a parent, btw. With two kids at boarding school, neither of which is Lawrenceville. And the advice I’m giving you is no different than that I’d give to my own kids.</p>
<p>B) I do not believe that there is a “magic formula” that gets one admitted to Lawrenceville — or any other of the most selective boarding schools. Thinking there is something “more” you have to do to make yourself more attractive to these schools is a dangerous mindset, IMO. Especially at this point in the application process.</p>
<p>C) Getting a 98% (or even a 99% or a perfect score) on your SSAT is NO GUARANTEE that you will be admitted to a school like Lawrenceville. As I’ve shared on the forum before, my older daughter was one question away from a perfect score (think of it as a “high 99%-ile”) and still was rejected (not even waitlisted) at one of the more selective schools…though she was admitted to two others. Do not put undue pressure on yourself if you do not score a 98%. However, you might want to take a practice test under timed conditions to see where you might end up on the real thing.</p>
<p>D) I don’t believe in “Chance” threads at all…and never posted one for my kids, nor encouraged them to post one. The only person who can really predict if you will get into a particular school or not is an Admissions Officer from that school. Who knows, I could be completely wrong…but my gut is that your chances are not great. Keep in mind that you are competing against kids with straight As, excellent scores, and most likely some other “hook” (like your debate skills) that might appeal to a school.</p>
<p>E) Seriously consider widening your scope of “apply to” schools, ASAP. If you like L’ville, check out Peddie, George, Hun, Solebury, Blair, etc. (I picked these only because of geographic proximity.) You say that Lawrenceville “seems like the right environment for you”…can I ask what you are basing this on? Have you visited, toured, interviewed? Read the school paper?</p>
<p>I went on a campus tour and I really loved the feel of the school. My friend got a 91 percentile on the SSAT had two B’s, and was on the school soccer team and was admitted to Lawrenceville. What more, from your knowledge, do you think I would need to get into a more selective school. I appreciate your time.</p>
<p>Sorry to butt in here, but I agree with SevenDad. The reason he is giving you this advice is because the top tier schools expect you to be excelling at your current school. You are applying to this school
,I assume, because you want more academic rigor, or their programs, but if you are getting C’s at your current school, how would you deal with the amount of work Lawrenceville has to offer? </p>
<p>As for the interviews, do not think about them too much. They are important, but if you think about them too much you WILL get nervous, no question. Sounds generic, but be yourself, know why you want to go to their school and make it apparent you will be a positive addition to their school.</p>
<p>Lastly, Try to keep your grades up, turn that C+ into a B+ or even an A, get extra help if needed, too. C+'s are not good enough for Lawrenceville, and I may be in 7th grade right now but I definitely know that much. Take SevenDad’s advice about looking at other schools too if you really want to go to boarding school because no matter how perfect you are, you can always get wait listed or rejected. Good luck</p>