Mom request - Chances at selective BSs

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Mom posting here because the suspense is significant right now. Also, not sure if there are so few spots for Ontario applicants that our chances are slim. Does being from Ontario help/hurt or neither? If anyone has any thoughts or observations it would be great to hear from you.

My son has applied to 6 of the most selective BSs.

  • Canadian (Ontario)
  • Male, Caucasian
  • Current Grade 9 applied to repeat Grade 9 (he/we wanted him to have the full 4 year BS experience)
  • GPA 3.88 unweighted
  • Attending well known Toronto private day school with SSAT average of 86% (according to Admissions Office)
  • School doesn't rank, but he would be in top 15%. Top 10% in Science & Math
  • SSAT 91% (99% Quantitative, 79% Reading)
  • 8 years advanced music instrument training (wish not to specify)
  • 4 years advanced Mandarin
  • Strong racquet sport player (tennis or squash, wish not to specify). Probably would make varsity at some of the schools. Have been in touch with BS coaches.
  • Started a non-profit (incorporated) - can't be too specific, but it has funding and has received media attention and participation from government/other non-profits.
  • Several academic/school and city awards in Science and Art
  • Have submitted an Art portfolio to Admissions
  • Strong interviews and essays
  • Expect recommendations were good
  • Full Pay

Thank you.

2

Toss up.SSAT is a tiny bit low for the top schools --the reading is perhaps a flag for the most rigorous schools. Look a 91% is still excellent dont get me wrong but without a real hook the score could be higher.

3

There were lots of kids from Canada at my kid’s boarding schools, I don’t think that is an issue. Stats look fine just depends on what “hole” the school needs to fill. No one here can tell you for sure…

4

Any hook is better than any stat or EC in my opinion.

5

Hi @preppedparent apart from the hooks commonly referred to (legacy, sibling, faculty kid, development, URM, underrepresented state/country, star athlete/musician) , what kind of hook might you be referring to? Would 2 sport varsity athlete apply? Thanks for taking the time this wknd.

6

That’s not a hook; it’s an EC. Unless one is a recruited athlete, a varsity sport to 2 is no better and not worse than any other EC, in general.

Also not a hook. It might be a “nice to have” for the school, but a hook is more of a “need to have.” Subtle distinction, but a valid one, IMO.

7

@skieurope Thanks for clarifying. In that case, there are definitely “unhooked” kids at top prep schools, because we know of quite a few who were simply FP, good scores and SSATs, good athlete, no legacy/no sibling, and interviewed well. I can’t speak to And/Exe, but we are acquainted with several of these at other top preps.

8

I never said there weren’t. There certainly are plenty of unhooked kids.

I can, though. :slight_smile:

9

Most Canadians at my kid’s BS are 2-3 varsity athletes. I think that your son has a strong profile and good chances at several schools. Bon chance!

10

No doubt your student has good things going for them. Music ability esp if they need his instrument in the orchestra is a good thing. Geodiversity is a hook esp if you are looking in the NE, and student is from the West etc. Canadian might help as international esp if FP. Good Luck! All you can do is put your best foot forward and all you need is one out of the six! S/he can only attend one!