I am a reapplicant this year for several schools.
Schools:
The Lawrenceville School - Reapplicant
Deerfield Academy - Reapplicant
Phillips Exeter Academy - Reapplicant
Phillips Andover Academy - First Time Applicant
The Hotchkiss School - Reapplicant
The Loomis Chaffee School - First Time Applicant
St. Paul’s Academy - First Time Applicant
Milton Academy - First Time Applicant
The Peddie School - First Time Applicant
The Taft School - First Time Applicant
Princeton Day School - First Time Applicant
North Mount Hermon - First Time Applicant
The Berkshire School - First Time Applicant
The Peddie School - First Time Applicant
The Groton School - First Time Applicant
Ethnicity: Asian American, Boy
Current Grade: 9th (Freshman), Public High School
SSAT Preparation:
90% For 9th Grade, which is around a 2250 Raw Score
School Scores:
Currently, I am taking all Honors at my high school. In the past, I have been a straight A student with only one B in Spanish. In my classes so far, I have a 4.0 GPA in Algebra II Honors, 4.0 in Physics Honors, 3.8 in Spanish III, 3.9 in English Honors, and 3.8 in History Honors.
Extracurriculars:
National Public Forum Debate - 2 years, School Team and Award = Winner of National Middle School Debate Tournament, #1 Speaker on National Circuit for Novice High School PF in 8th Grade, and #4 Speaker on National Circuit for Advanced High School PF in 8th Grade.
Tennis - High School Team - JV as Freshman, Winner of District Tournaments and Ranking in 12/14 Boys
Cross Country and Track - 12:49 2-Mile (8th), 5:59 Mile (8th), 21:24 5K Time (8th)
M.U.N. - High School Team
Band - Percussion for 5 Years
Community Service - Volunteering for Tennis (Teaching Children 2 Hours per week), Public Service Volunteering, Volunteering for Public Speaking (Teaching Kids to Find a Voice)
Questions:
What are my chances for getting into a prep school? In what aspects are prep schools better/worse than public schools? Would it be better to apply for 10th or 9th? (My birthday is in late August.) Are there any other recommendations for SSAT Prep? What do schools look for? (Either in general or specifically) Lastly, what are the “strengths” in the various schools I am applying for?
Thank you everyone. Wish you can answer my questions!
Hi @bluetoon! How great you are seeking advice and direction! You will have a substantially greater chance for admission if you repeat the 9th grade. It is VERY common at Prep schools–plus you have a late birthday.
I don’t know anything about your current public school. It sounds pretty awesome based upon the class offerings you mention. From my experience, and my child’s experience there are some substantial difference between public school and private school. First, classes tend to be much smaller in private school. There is more opportunity for discussion. In prep school, your classmates are almost universally bright. In prep school it is far more difficult to achieve all A’s on your report card. You can not expect to graduate with a weighted GPA above a 4.0. In prep school, your classmates tend to be very engaged. If you will be applying for Financial Aid, it will be a stress on your parents. The schools are expensive. Hope that helps a bit. Keep up the good work! :bz
Thank you @CallieMom! Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I had a lot of assessments and did not get the chance.
I am really glad to hear that it is very common to repeat 9th, because I feel that taking an extra year could help me further my education and definitely get the full prep school experience. I have 2 questions though, would colleges mind if I took 2 years of 9th grade? And would I have to send both 9th Grades results or only one.
Also, my gpa is around a 3.9 right now (Weighted). Our school adds 5 points to an Honors Class, so I have A- in Algebra II Honors and Physics Honors (A+ Weighted), B+ in History and English Honors (A Weighted), and a B+ in Spanish III. Also, I am pretty confident in my grades and SSAT Score, (90% - Will Retake), however I was wondering if financial aid would detriment the chances of getting into the private schools I listed. And if so, by how much?
Lastly, does your child miss his/her public school at all? Thanks @CallieMom! Your advice is very helpful
Hey @bluetoon! Let me see if I can answer your questions. If not, just shout out and I will try again. Colleges don’t mind if you repeat the 9th grade. It was not an issue for my child or any of her classmates who have done the same. To be sure, the admissions officers of the colleges you will ultimately be applying are familiar with the practice. Think of it this way, you will be extra prepared for college when you arrive! You will be better at writing and more discerning at reading, and will be more advanced in math and/or a language. Its all good.
Next question, yes, when you apply to colleges, you will need to submit your 9th grade transcript. No biggie. As a matter of fact, since boarding schools can be so competitive having your 9th grade public school grades may help boost your overall GPA. At my child’s school, there is no weighting.
As far as financial aid, I am only familiar with the practices of three schools on your list. At Andover, Exeter and St. Paul’s financial aid is rarely factor. Andover is need blind, so it is no factor at all. These schools are really looking for the whole person–not just good grades and scores. If they decide the candidate will help round out their class, they will take them. And, as I said in my last post, you by far have the best chances of getting into any of your schools as a 9th grader.
You asked if my child misses her public school. I would say she misses some of her friends and classmates and teammates and her coaches. She does not miss her former public school per se AT ALL. I like to think she misses her parents too. 
Her experience in prep school is so much more engaging she has instructed us to not just answer inquires about her as “she likes it”, she has told us to clarify to any and all concerned “It is her happy place.”
One more note, @bluetoon, I can’t help but postulate that with your interests, you would really thrive in prep or boarding school.
If you have the time, many of the schools have their own student-run newspapers. You can read them online and get sense of what is important at the school and get a feel for the students.
Also, you might want to reach out to the cross country coaches and let them know you would be interested in running for them. Again, if you look online, you should be able to find the results of recent meets and races and see if your times would be competitive and the email addresses of the coach.
Good luck and hope you have lots of fun with the process!
@CallieMom Thank you so much! Your insight has helped a lot! I am doing an interview for PDS, Peddie, and Lawrenceville next week. It’s great to know that some schools are need blind and thanks for all the help! It’s helped me clarify my questions/doubts!
My advice to you is not take SSAT again. 90% is good enough. It does not mean it will guarantee your acceptance but schools will see no difference if you got 90% or 95%. Your GPAs and classes look competitive. But again, numbers are not guaranteeing your chance. I would say your overall numbers (SSAT, GPA) will not push you out of the admission process. You are re-applying to many schools and I would recommend you to think about the reasons why you were not accepted into those schools last year. Are your ECs appealing? What I meant by ‘appealing’ is authentic. Your sports and other EC activities show who you are and whether you fit in the specific schools.
Yes I know that a major part was that I did not have many extracurriculars @patronyork However, this year I have a lot more to “pitch” such as national awards in speech/debate and a lot of community service. Also, my interview didn’t portray confidence. Hopefully I can change that tomorrow at PDS for my interview 
. Thanks @patronyork I’ll keep that in mind