<p>I was wondering if someone could give me some insight into this... I applied to boarding schools this year (8th grade) but didn't make any of them (waitlisted at DA and Choate). I'm going to apply again in 9th grade, but I was wondering if I should be applying for 9th grade so I repeat it when I get accepted, or just go straight to 10th?</p>
<p>I was thinking 9th again, because that'd offer me more freedom on courses and such, but what are the admission committees' views on that? Do they count it as a negative trait? Any tips would be appreciated.</p>
<p>You have your entire life ahead of you, don’t put so heavy of a brushstroke on this short section of your life. </p>
<p>That being said, it depends on your circumstance. What is your goal in applying to boarding school? If you’re dead-set on having the experience, then applying for 9th grade might be worthwhile. If you don’t have such a strong desire to go, then just apply for 10th grade. It also depends on whether your chance of getting in is high or not; if you think you can improve sufficiently to be accepted for 10th grade, go for it.</p>
<p>if you feel your school will prepare you enough for BS in 10th grade, then do not repeat. A lot of people start boarding school as 10th graders, so you wouldn’t be alone. Also, at most schools it is actually easier to get in applying 10th grade then 9th. Whatever you’re comfortable with.</p>
<p>Talk to the school; some will be willing to discuss your transcript and maturity and give you advise, or at least info and statistics.</p>
<p>Sometime including a letter with the application, telling that you would be open to either 9 or 10, depending on how they see you fitting in, can be helpful; but check by phone first.</p>
<p>Tons of kids, really smart kids, repeat to BS. The average age is definitely older. But really it depends on how YOU fit in.</p>
<p>Could you check out my thread called “applying for 10th grade”</p>
<p>Please comment on that. I’m planning to also go straight to 10th. And at my current school I’m actually getting 19 High School credits. So I think I’ll be reading for BS</p>
<p>But I heard its harder to get accepted in 10th grade. Specifically Peddie.</p>
<p>If you are serious about Deerfield, you should consider repeating. With the larger than expected 9th grade next fall, especially of 9th grade girls, it will be very difficult to be admitted to 10th grade next year.</p>
<p>I’m not as concerned with the whole experience thing (10th would be fine) as much as I am with the actual chances of admission. I’ve seen conflicting sources saying it’d be easier/harder for 10th grade, especially this year’s overacceptance of 9th graders. I’m applying to tier 1 schools (had an 99%SSAT, 4.0 GPA, just no sports, which I think was the problem). </p>
<p>Do those tier 1 schools (Applied to Lawrenceville, Deerfield, Choate, SPS, Exeter, Andover) give advise or insight as to why I was rejected/waitlisted after June 15 or so?</p>
<p>You might get an answer or advice on why you were rejected/waitlisted. I dont think the no sports situation was the problem, there are plenty of people applying that are not that much into sport. Are you full pay or fa? Unfortunately this year that determined a lot of admission decisions. Wont be changing for next year either.
Are you on the younger/older side? You may not want to repeat 9th grade if you are already on the older side since by the time you are in 12th grade, you will really hate being a 19 yr old confined to BS rules. You may want to give a school the option – indicate to them that you will go either grade and they will let you know what they think.</p>
<p>I’m going to SPS as a new tenth grader this year and for me i never even thought of repeating because i’m one of those people who was born in the fall so i’m like the oldest of my grade…so in a way i kind of already “repeated a year” if you repeat just make sure you don’t get held back in math and stuff. Also my interviewer at SPS told me this year that it might be easier to get in as a repeat? there’s more competition but a lot more slots too. idk if that’s right though because i applied for tenth grade to a number of schools and got a lot less rejections than my cousin when he applied for ninth. However, that is not a very good comparison. I really should stop this competitive thing i have with my cousin!!!</p>
<p>In my opinion, the biggest things to consider regarding whether to repeat or not are: your age/birthdate, and whether you are male or female. While there are some girls that repeat, it is most often a male thing—particularly with the top tier schools like Deerfield. You have to have a reason to repeat, which you will discuss at the interviews. It can be about maturity, being young for your class, needing more time, etc. But saying that you want to do it just to increase your chances of admission, or having no clear reason why you want to repeat, could count against you.</p>
<p>Your profile is good—are you an international student?</p>
<p>9th grade is a big entry point into BS’s so right there it increases your chances of getting in.
Another reason to repeat is that you can take high level classes in HS, ex:ap classes. When you come in as a 9th grader, they dont make you repeat math, science or a language for example so it will give you the oppertunity to take advanced classes in 11th and 12th grade.</p>