<p>I'm pretty sure I could get into boarding schools based on my grades, recs (well i think they will be good since my teachers like me), and SSAT score. I'm not a legacy, but I have a unique background and qualified for S.E.T and C.T.Y from Johns Hopkins.
My problem: ECs, awards, and community service
This year I got sick and have had to make up so much school work that I've been out from soccer almost the whole season (I'm not the best at soccer), had to quit some of the few clubs I was in, and am becoming behind with violin, which I wasn't to great to start with anyways. So, I'm in travel soccer, orchestra, select orchestra, stage crew/set design, and take art class and private violin outside of school. I might quit art enrichment because I feel that I have become too behind in other areas due to the illness. (used to be in literary magazine too but not anymore)<br>
My main concern is the community service. I haven't done any community service whatsoever except a bit of girl scouts until last year, which should i count because I quit girl scout and wouldn't that look bad? I volunteer at the library in the summer but that's only a few hours for a few days...it isn't regular or anything. Other than that, nothing.
As for awards, I haven't gotten any major ones. Will it help if I make it to the state Geography Bee this year? Math counts?
Ugh. Has anyone else had this problem? It's obviously a little late to start anything new. </p>
<p>In general, is it worth it to apply to a HADES with these weaknesses? That's what is keeping me back. Thanks!</p>
<p>Beatlesforever, don’t worry! Be happy! Don’t take the “chance” threads on this site too seriously. Even with the illness, you’re describing an applicant who has good grades, good recs, good SSAT score, a travel soccer commitment, numerous musical commitments, and artistic talent. If you manage to do all this at once, that’s impressive! </p>
<p>If you worry about your community service hours, you can always be on the lookout for any way to help others. I don’t think the schools expect all their students to be plaster saints. Remember, you are heading into high school, where most students need to learn to focus on their strengths. </p>
<p>You’ll never know if you might have gotten in if you don’t apply.</p>
<p>Well, my personal view on HADES is, while they’re great schools and I’d love to go to Deerfield and SPS, they’re just not the type of environment I’d like for high school. I’d feel too pressured.
I had that problem too. My middle school kind of stunk when it came to ECs, and I had no motivation to do volunteer work or community service of any kind. I think what’s really gonna save me is my interview - I’m very charming 
So you kind of just have to work with what you’ve got. If your heart’s not in what you’re going, don’t keep doing it for applications’ sake. Find something you DO like. I’ve been going to French club, journalism club, ballroom dance club, etc recently and I really like all of them. Just find clubs YOU like instead of thinking “What’s gonna look good to HADES?” If your SSAT is good, your interview goes well, your essays are good, and so are your gradesrecs, and you show passion for the school, I’m thinking you’re good as gold. You’ve just got to focus on what you can do instead of what you haven’t/can’t do.
Hope this helped!
P.S. There are lots of lovely non-HADES schools. PM me if you’d like my personal opinion on a few of them :)</p>
<p>Most middle schoolers haven’t done much, or any, community service. It’s not a deal breaker. If everything else looks good, you could have a legitimate chance.</p>