<p>I only recently considered entering boarding school after one of my friends was accepted to Exeter. Since I am a competitive swimmer, I have emailed the coaches at Deerfield, Exeter, and Andover about perhaps applying late as a prospective athlete. Deerfield and Andover both replied and seem interested. I have been a straight A student all my life and have gotten honors. I don't have a lot of ECs due to the fact that swimming takes up about 20 hours a week for me. I am planning to take the SSAT on April 9 and am fairly certain I will get at least a 2200. I also need to apply for some FA. Do I still have a slight chance, or should I wait for Fall 2012? I don't think I should because I know that applying into 11th grade will be very difficult next year.</p>
<p>If you wait a year, you don’t necessarily need to apply as an 11th grader. You can also apply as a repeat 10th grader. Many students do it, so you wouldn’t be the only one who’s older!</p>
<p>Financial aid is what makes your late application more challenging. It’s very difficult (but not impossible) to get FA as a late applicant.</p>
<p>But, if you’re up for it, there’s no harm in trying. Just understand it will be a lot of work . . . with no guarantee of success. But, even if you don’t succeed, it will also be good practice for next year. And the schools won’t hold it against you that you tried once and didn’t get in. But don’t sabotage this semester’s grades by putting all your energy into late applications - that won’t help you this year or next!</p>
<p>Can you apply for both time periods? If you have the means and energy, that’s definitely what I would do. (:</p>
<p>If you’re only applying to two schools, the time commitment for applying should be reasonable. If the coaches are interested, I can’t think of a reason not to apply. Good luck!</p>
<p>You might also want to consider Hotchkiss. They have terrific aquatic facilities!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I think I will apply late, and if I don’t get in, I will next year. Now, whether to apply to 10th or 11th next year? Since I am a grade ahead for my age, I think I could apply as a 10th grader, but I feel that I’m more mature than current 8th graders (no offense of anything!). As for financial aid, I don’t exactly need it, but it would be greatly appreciated. Do schools not do the need-blind process for late applications?</p>
<p>Look, “need blind” only goes so far. Will a school make an initial determination of whether or not you’re qualified for admission? Sure. But if you need aid and they don’t have funds left, that’s the end of that. And, frankly, this late in the process they might not even look at the application if they know you need aid and they don’t have it.</p>
<p>If you can get by without FA, that would significantly increase your chance of late admission.</p>
<p>It would also increase your chances if you apply as either a 10th grader or a repeat 9th grader for this coming year. Yeah, I get it - you’re worried that all of your classmates will seem really young. But it just won’t turn out that way. A lot of kids repeat a year . . . in fact, you’ll probably find that even if you repeat, there will still be kids in your class who are older than you!</p>
<p>Having that extra year will also give you more time to develop as an athlete - and that’s good for both you and the school!</p>
<p>So, in answer to your question . . . if you don’t get in now and have to apply again next fall, give the school the choice of taking you as either an 11th grader or a repeat 10th. The more options the school has, the better your chances.</p>