Hi! I am a current eight grader applying for a few top boarding schools next year. I was wondering whether half asian half caucasian is less common than full asian? Because I know a lot of Asians apply to prep schools and are an ORM. Also, I got my ssat score back today and I was in the 93rd percentile overall. Is that high enough for it to not be an issue? Do schools look at your overall score and gender score? Would already attending one of the best day schools in the country hurt or help my chances? Also this is a kind of weird thing to say but it seems like all the kids applying to these select schools are superhuman and have 99% SSATs and have cured cancer or something. I’m a fairly smart person who plays a few sports well and is good at art but I don’t have a lot of community service or a specific hook. Do kids like me tend to get into these schools? This is getting kind of long but does being able to pay full tuition help my chances?
No one has cured cancer in 8th grade. Look at the the admitted student statistics for the schools you are considering-an SSAT score in the 93rd percentile is a good score. Attending a great middle school has probably prepared you well for the rigors of high school. Being able to pay full tuition will help your chances at schools that are not need blind.
Have you finished writing your essays? Have you interviewed yet?
Regarding the Asian and Caucasian question, I can say at least at my DD’s there are just at many Asian/Caucasian students as there are Asian students. Not sure if its unique to her school but there are many - like a lot.
What @MAandMEmom said. I’ll also add that the kids in my DD’s school (not a completely even mix of Asians, Caucasians, Blacks, and Hispanics, but considerably more balanced than I’ve ever seen) are mostly just regular smart, good, fun kids. Some excell in this or that, or have their own interests, but it’s not some weird menagerie of superhumans. Your SSAT score is great and shows the AOs that you can handle the academic work. But they will also want to know what kind of person you are: will you make friends, will you be happy there, will you engage in the school life’s outside of the classroom, will you enrich the school community with your talents or interests, will you be kind and helpful and a good team member? It’s like a large family, and they want to make sure that you fit in, for your own good as much as for everyone else’s. Good luck with your application!
Hi @swimmer223,
I can speak to the part where you mention “I’m a fairly smart person who plays a few sports well and is good at art but I don’t have a lot of community service or a specific hook. Do kids like me tend to get into these schools?”
Firstly, I think you might be underestimating yourself a bit. Like @GoatMama says, I would agree that board schools tend to be compiled of bright students who are good kids. They aren’t all superhuman, they are just kids who are driven, curious, and love to learn.
About sports – you say you play a few sports well. If you are good enough to make a considerable impact in your first year, then that could be your hook right there. If you haven’t already, it might be good to contact coaches and let them know about you as an athlete and a few of your accomplishments. I take it you’re a swimmer, so telling coaches your times is an easy way to get on their radar without even meeting them in person. Some of the schools’ websites have results listed from meets so you can easily see if your times are competitive. Also, shameless plug: I can say that being part of Andover’s swim team was one of the best parts of my boarding school experience. So I would just say, don’t count sports out – that can definitely be a hook if you’re good and also a defining part of your time there!
Also, art is unique talent and shows that you are well-rounded. I think prep schools love to see incoming prospective students who they know will appreciate and participate in art/theatre/dance classes and clubs. This can also be counted as a hook. Depending on your experience with art, I would consider sending in a portfolio. That being said, I didn’t participate heavily in the arts during my time in BS.
All in all, to answer your question, YES, kids like you do get into these schools and these are the type of kids that they look for.
Best of luck and Happy Holidays!