Need Help!!!

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>So far, I’ve only been applying to Choate and Andover, but I’m getting worried as they are very competitive schools. Here are my stats; I’d appreciate any comments on what boarding schools I could think of.</p>

<p>I want to be in the New England area; not in New Jersey. I’d like the school to be academically focused (SAT score about 1300, probably, just as a yardstick)… and I want some small classes, some large. I don’t want to go to a place with less than 300 students … or even 350. I want to be in a competitive environment, but one in which I won’t be the bottom of the class and not yet at the top.</p>

<p>Here are my stats.</p>

<p>Academics
SSAT - 97 (98 Verbal, 96 Reading, 90 Math)
GPA - my average is usually around a 93. </p>

<p>Last mid-quarter report:
English - 90
Math - 90
Science - 94
History - 88
French - 95 </p>

<p>I’m in Honors English and Math, and I’m on Student Council. I have High Honors and here are my awards:</p>

<li>6th Grade Spelling Bee - 1st place</li>
<li>7th Grade French Award</li>
<li>7th Grade Short Story Prize</li>
<li>First annual Pi Award - entire school competition, first place</li>
</ol>

<p>ECs</p>

<p>Soccer - JV, if I get on Varsity this year I’ll notify the schools
Youth Group - weekly
Humane Society - volunteer, donator
Duke TIP
Employee at Green Market
Student Council</p>

<p>Interviews

  • mediocre at Choate’s - felt I did not have enough room to portray my personality
  • amazing at Andover … she told my mom that she doesn’t say this to many people, but that I was perfect for it. I have the feeling she’d be the kind of person who’d fight for me in the decision.</p>

<p>I’m looking for a picture-esque campus, not in the middle of a city. Out in the countryside, co-ed. Good dorm life - not very strict dress code, no formal dinners.</p>

2

<p>Choate may have some formal dinners. You might want to check this out.</p>

<p>Did you consider Loomis? I think they have some formal dinners too. </p>

<p>Stay in touch with your Andover interviewer so she remembers you. She interviewed you a long time ago and has interviewed many since. Send her any important updates like awards, etc.</p>

<p>While there are many boarding schools in New England, your casual dress code and size requirements rule out many possibilities. You might want to consider how important these plus the possibility of not being in New England, are to you.</p>

3

<p>I don't want formal dinners, and I like bigger schools. Not the other way around. :)</p>

4

<p>Don't apply to Loomis Chaffee. They're pretty good academically, but you pay >30,000 and they make you clean the school and do like, major chores every day. If you want to vaccum hallways, you don't need to pay that much to do it lol, imho.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, Pal.
any others??</p>

6

<p>What does imho mean, btw?</p>

7

<p>I always thought it meant in my honest opinion but then I looked it up and it means in my humble opinion..</p>

<p>but I guess it could mean both.</p>

8

<p>Oh, thanks Jonathan. :)
Do you have any recommendations for me?</p>

9

<p>What are your interests? What do you like to do? You seem very well-rounded. :)</p>

<p>How are your essays?</p>

10

<p>St. Paul's School.</p>

<p>If I were still applying there I wouldn't recommend it to you. lol jk</p>

11

<p>Are you looking to add a safety school? I would be a little nervous if I were you--I think you have good chances, but two schools is cutting it a little close. Trying to find schools without formal dinners is really hard, I think. You may have to just deal with that. Sorry. :( No dress code is easier, but do remember that girls' dress code is usually not strict, and probably not all that limiting. I'm not sure if they all have dress codes, but St. Mark's, St. George's, Blair, The Govenor's Academy, etc. are schools you might look into. I looked at a few of them, then saw St. Mark's and thought that would be a good match/safety for me. I'm having my interview there tomorrow, and I'm excited because there are going to be students there. :) If you're just nervous because you have such a small list, you could look at the top schools and see which ones don't have dress code or formal dinners (Boarding School Review is a good tool for this), and apply to one or two of those.</p>

12

<p>Many will have some formal dinners. I think Choate may do this now for dinner and/or lunch. I think most dinners there are casual.</p>

<p>Take a look at Taft.</p>

<p>Good luck tomorrow Kitty!</p>

13

<p>Thanks. When are the interview deadlines and app. deadlines for most of the schools you've mentioned?</p>

14

<p>lol.. I like how you said, "not in New Jersey".
formal dinners aren't so bad, you know. they instill a sense of tradition and purpose. but to eacher her own. what about SPS?</p>

<p>glad i read that note about loomis. and they don;t have a good boaridng environment either.</p>

15

<p>Haha. I don't like New Jersey, sorry. Just a stereotype.</p>

<p>Formal dinners I wouldn't mind, but not every day, constantly. I also don't like when you can't sit with your friends (i.e. a "rotation" schedule).</p>

<p>I was thinking about SPS, I guess. That rhymes. :o</p>

16

<p>Ah, you mean formal dinners every day. That I could see. Makes it easier to find schools. Good luck if you applying St. Paul's. Then again, I'm applying there . . . :D</p>

17

<p>Milton. Large number of day students. Awesome academically. Suburb of Boston.</p>

18

<p>that is good school. about 500/600 people if I'm not mistaken.
It might get lonely on campus though, most people are day students.</p>

19

<p>Milton is, I think, 50% day and 50% boarding. They have a house system - you stay in the same dorm for all of your years at the school.</p>

20

<p>I wouldn't like Milton, I don't think. I want a lesser day student population.</p>

<p>Any ideas?</p>