<p>Can you repeat a grade at will? i.e. If you're a 9th grader now, can you apply to a BS for 9th grade admission? Is there any rule, or are you just free to do so?</p>
<p>It's okay to do so. Most likely the schools won't ask you why =)</p>
<p>Your free to do so. Its encouraged if your young for your grade also.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's ok, but why would you want to do that?</p>
<p>So you can enjoy the full 4-year experience. It doesn't "hold you back"; in many cases you are able to keep moving forward and take the next level of courses. Colleges do not frown upon it; it is very common in prep schools to do this. It is also not unusual for juniors to repeat their year. I think schools also like athletes to do this.</p>
<p>In the admission process wouldn't it be a little unfair for the regular 8th graders? As a 9th grader, you'd have taken more advanced classes, had more opportunities to get an award, more EC's, etc. Has that been a concern?</p>
<p>Ya....but life isn't fair :). Seriously speaking, I think the admission officers take that into consideration. I doubt they will take someone whos old for their grade and is trying to repeat. But if you have an 8th grader and 9th grader...that are about the same age and the repeat has more qualifictions.</p>
<p>Then I think you accept the repeat....its not fair but thats how it is. My interviewers all tell me that being young for my grade means that if I apply as a repeat 10th ill have a 10x better chance.</p>
<p>i'm gonna.</p>
<p>is it necessary to include something in the application stating why i am choosing to?</p>
<p>and does it really not have any effect on college decisions??</p>
<p>Nope, no affect on college decisions. If anything it is looked at positively or at least you get to reap the benefits. Extra year to build up that college resume and mature.</p>
<p>i think most of the problems from repeating link to you, not college (what mpicz said :) ) in terms of maturity. you might feel like your classmates in your grade are immature since you're repeating (and i don't think age really factors in on whether your maturity would be ok with skipping/repeating a grade. the fact that you went through 10th grade in itself is the only factor in this, in my opinion. i don't think anyone got what that meant XD)</p>
<p>i think there's a check box for some schools that ask if you're a repeat. or maybe im mixing that up with something else. it's not a big deal for the admissions officers, point blank :)</p>
<p>You are wrong about a school not taking someone old for their grade who is trying to repeat. That really doesn't matter. What matters is what is the best fit for the particular student. If an older junior is entering a school, there is no problem with entering as a repeat junior to have two years at the school.</p>
<p>From what I see, this could become a trend if the admission into top tier BS's continues to be so competitive. If repeating a grade can give you a clear advantage without any down side, I bet more and more applicants will do so. Of course, cost of an additional year of BS would be a deterring factor, but for people who are qualified for FA or come from a public high school, it's a no brainer.</p>
<p>Repeating a grade is already a trend at many top tier BS. However, the admission committee would be interested to know why you are applying to repeat a grade. It usually comes up in the personal interview, but, if you already had your interview and the subject didn't come up then, then I would include an additional note in your application explaining why you are interested in the additional year.</p>
<p>Looks like many of them would simply say they want a "fuller" experience (3 yrs. vs 2, or 4 vs. 3) while in fact some are doing this simply for a better shot for admission. What other explanation could you give? academic indeficiencies, maturity issue? - all seem to me are factors that could leave you out of the game right away.</p>
<p>im not too sure about the whole repeating thing.. I've asked EVERY SINGLE admissions officers how much i'll be missing a full year. they answered none at all. sure, i'll be missing out a full year of the X school experience, i would have the 9th grade experience of no other. i would also get the credit from my old school, and have no trouble fitting in (if i have the right personality). you'll probably be older than most of the kids and friends you'll make in your grade, and somewhat you may feel you're too mature for these kids. also, if you repeat for the 9th grade, then you'll be in the same pool as those 1,000 8th graders that are trying too... alot of probably talented kids. thats jst my input, but really, if you feel repeating is good, shoot for it! the 4 year experience does sound good :)</p>
<p>ps wouldnt it be easier to get in by sophomore?</p>
<p>One reason might be to fulfill prerequisites. If you enter as a sophomore, you might not place into sophomore level courses, if the school is strict about qualifying for upper level courses. So, (hypothetically!! only an example!!) you want to take a level 4 Geology course as a senior, but that course is only open to students who have taken Geology courses 1,2,3 in previous years. This may be difficult to argue, as it calls for an in-depth knowledge of the course catalog.</p>
<p>Another reason could be a hole in your preparation. Let's say, you're a ninth grader this year, but you were in a car accident in the last two years, or had a bad case of mono, and were frequently absent. Both these reasons could be documented, and would be reflected in your admissions file.</p>
<p>god i would love to take upper-level courses. i really want to do AP Euro/World/"History" next year as a sophomore. bleh.</p>