<p>I've recently decided to repeat 10th, but now I'm having second thoughts about it. Academically I think it would be the better option, but I'm scared of being the oldest one (April birthday), looked at weirdly, etc. </p>
<p>Do you think it would be worth it to send an extra letter or something to the schools I'm applying to telling them that I'd be open to both 11th grade or 10th grade, or would that just sound like I'm desperate to get in (which I actually kinda am :P)?</p>
<p>I'm applying to NMH, Blair and Emma Willard. </p>
<p>I've also heard from some friends also looking into boarding schools that since NMH isn't that competitive academically or as selective that applying for repeat wouldn't benefit you much either ways, which has led me to doubt repeating some more... </p>
<p>Any insight, comments...??? :)</p>
<p>Well I think honestly, being a repeat isn’t a problem at all… and I can promise you there are others who repeat, as it’s a very common choice. A lot of my friends were repeat freshmen, and I know several kids who are turning 17 before the summer—while I just turned 15. </p>
<p>Repeating 10th grade is a much better opinion, IMHO, but I’m not a repeat myself so I can’t be sure.</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>it seems as though it’s only in the really top schools that you get a lot of repeats though… I know the schools I’ve picked are pretty good too, but does it seem maybe like I’m overdoing things by repeating? </p>
<p>but in terms of academics, how much homework do you usually have every night, and do you think it would be much harder to adjust to bs work coming in from an average public school even with working really hard?</p>
<p>and do you think that saying that I’m open to both 10th and 11th grade be a good way to go?</p>
<p>I’m applying as a repeat 10th grader. From the current students I’ve talked to on tours and around campus, they say that the age varies widely amongst grades. I have an October birthday so I’m going to turn 17 a couple months into my sophomore year. </p>
<p>It gives you an extra year to adjust to the academics and extra-curricular schedule at a school before the intense 11th grade year. You will also be able to take more advanced classes/electives senior year because most of your credits from your first sophomore year will transfer. </p>
<p>A few of my interviewers said that they could consider me for entry into both the 10th and 11th grade so that’s another way to go.</p>
<p>2010hopeful did you put down 10th on your application forms?</p>
<p>I did put down just 10th because I decided that repeating would be the best decision for me. But the interviewers that I talked to said that I could mark off both 10th and 11th if I wanted. If you do, make a little note that says something like: “Open to either grade for admission” so they know you just didn’t make a mistake and bubbled wrong. You can only do this on paper forms since I believe you can’t mark off two bubbles on the online applications. You can also be able to just send an e-mail to the admission offices if you already submitted your application stating that you would consider offers for both grades.</p>
<p>There are a lot of repeats at boarding school. And it’s not something that is obvious. Because students are coming in with a wide variety of backgrounds, and because schools put you in the appropriate class (as opposed to public schools were courses are based on grade level) you’ll find classes with a mixture of ages in them.</p>
<p>You should be fine. In fact, you’ll graduate with a more advanced set of courses than someone following a traditional path.</p>
<p>Be assured - what you are doing is not uncommon.</p>
<p>I go to Emma Willard and I can assure you from expirience that there are plenty of repeat 10th graders. One lives directly across the hall from me. She’s doing wonderfully. Most students don’t even guess they’re repeating the grade. On the other hand we have a handful of new juniors too, who get integrated just as smoothly. The only thing is junior year is an intense time and it’s especially hard to be thrown in randomly without the background from the previous years. It does work out though.</p>
<p>I personally would suggest reapeating, as that seems like a smart plan to get ahead achedemically. i wouldn’t worry about the age difference, we’re all really varied ages anyway and it’s pretty normal here. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Pretty much everyone who comes into NMH from a public high school repeats the year. They are not as selective as some of the tippy-top schools simply because they receive fewer applicants, but the academics are rigorous and the course selection broad. There ae many, many repeaters. My son repeated his ninth grade year, and he has a March birthday. He has lots of friends his age…and older. Remember, they have PG’s.</p>
<p>My son went to Blair for 4 years. Two of his close friends were repeaters. There is no stigma. The only negative I can think of is that you may be ready for the kind of freedom college offers by the time you are 18. If you repeat you will not be the only one. 11th grade is challenging academically.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! It’s helped out, and I guess I’ll try for repeat, but still put open to both.</p>
<p>can I ask just some more thing: while it would seem to be the best option to repeat at Emma Willard, would it seem as though the academics at NMH are not rigorous enough to have to consider repeating?</p>