My chance to get admitted?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1
  • My profile: Grade: 8th, applying for 9th (boarding) SSAT: 98% Age: 14, Male Location: Texas
  • Academics: School grade: straight A Admitted to TAG programs on Math, LA, social, history and science Languages: bilingual in English and Mandarin, taking French 1B at school. Orchestra: Honor Orchestra since 7th grade, holding Principal Second Violin
    • Leadership Student Council vice president in elementary school NJHS co-president in 8th grade
    • EC: Music: Violin, studied 10+ year. Won 2nd prize in American Protege violin concerto competition and played at Carnegie Hall. Math: - on school mathcount team since 7th grade, won top-4 at state level competition.
      - AMC8: won distinguished honor roll (top 1%). in preparation for 2020 AMC10, but will not be available in the application. Volunteering: - worked for local foodbank for ~3years. Accumulated ~150 hours. Won presidential volunteering community service award once. Most hours were earned in last two years.
  • Application: Schools: Lawrenceville, Exeter (dream school), Andover. Financial: Full Pay progress: still prepare for my essays. so many to write (that's one of the reasons to apply for only a few.)

Any suggestion to make my application package to stand out, given the extremely low admission rate? I really appreciate your advice.!

Thank you and happy Thanksgiving!

2

I think you have very good ECs and leadership examples. Do you participate in any sports? That could slightly better your chances, especially if some schools are looking for more athletes in a certain sport.
Interviews are also a very important part of your application, so I recommend that you practice, but be natural in your answers and engaging.
Good luck!

3

Very solid bio, stronger than most that are posted. Expect you will be strongly considered at all the schools based on what is written. As you note, it is now the odds game. In your case are they hoping to pick up a strong violinist? Are you looking to play in their formal programs and concerts in school? Make sure that is clear in essays and interviews. Aside from violin, you look similar to my own son’s bio and it worked out for him; he went 1-1-1 and fortunately the acceptance was at his top choice that is also on your list. Full pay is a plus too. He was not full pay.

If you are serious about performing, contact the head of the Music program to express your interest in a brief friendly email with a few school specific Qs…nothing over the top.

Have you interviewed?

You are in a good place. Now it’s just a fingers crossed waiting game.

4

@glittermango Thanks for your comments! As for sports, I have two years private lessons with my squash coach. I am also into road cycling and could ride 30 miles on highway. However, I have not got any major competitions like music to be highlighted as EC.

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@PrepDad2018 Thanks for your advice and congrats to you son for getting his first choice! I do want to audition into their orchestra program, but have not talked to their Music director yet. I did the interviews during the summer and Andover’s seemed the best conversation.

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@TexasTeddyBear I would recommend reaching out to the Music program as an FYI about your application and your interest to become involved. Nothing too over the top but brief, friendly, and factual re your musical resume. My son connected for athletics, as that was his EC specialty, so it was nice to have someone interested in his application “on the inside”. Do a little research about what you might be able to do freshman year so it shows you put in the time to know their specific opportunities so long as you are sincere about really auditioning and making that commitment. Good luck.

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I agree, talking with one of the administrators for the music program could improve your chances of getting in, especially because of your accomplishments.

I would also suggest to still bring up squash and cycling even if there haven’t been any major competitions because many schools look for prospective athletes with potential. It could be something to talk about, like the passion you have for growth and perhaps any lessons you’ve learned.