<p>I want to apply this year for 9th grade. My grades last year in the core subjects were good, but my grades this year aren't the best. Will they give me some lax on the grades because I attend a school were I am taking high school courses? My attendance record wasn't good either because I was got sick a lot last year. I know that I will do well on my SSATs, but I know that the schools look more at grades than the SSATs. I also don't have many ECs. I'm applying to Taft, L'Ville, Hotchkiss, Deerfield and Cate. What are my chances?</p>
<p>My sense is, that you’ll do better applying as a 10th grader. That would give you a year to bring your grades to a solid “A” and fix the attendance issue. SSAT scores only count for a fraction. </p>
<p>You are competing against straight A students with high test scores, perfect attendance and EC’s. So you need to ask the question - why would an Adcom select me in a pool where they have to turn down 90% of the applications?</p>
<p>Know that almost everyone in that applicant pool is taking some degree of high school course work. Some are even showing college level credit. The school is looking for those who can do “that” level of work now. </p>
<p>But you won’t know the answer to your question unless you apply - or at least talk to Adcoms at the schools.</p>
<p>That is a solid plan, I think the above post’s explanation is spot on. You may want to wait until next year.</p>
<p>It’s competitive, but I’d still encourage you not to wait and throw your hat in the ring. You’ll learn a lot from having gone thru the process if you don’t get admitted to your choice schools which can help you if you need to apply a second time. Try to find things that make you unique and stress those in the process.</p>
<p>The schools you list are extremely competitive. If you go through the app process just to gain experience, you’d still feel upset when you get turned down. if you’re a legacy or have a significant hook, it would be different. Apply as a repeat 9th grader.</p>
<p>If OP is not applying for FA, these schools except Deerfield are not “extremely” competitive. They are not likely safeties either of course.</p>
<p>apply apply apply. one of my biggest regrets was not applying to boarding school when i really wanted to go. qualms with the parents combined with people on here discouraging me, i decided to wait a year and reapply. regardless of what happens on march 10, youll learn a ton of valuable lessons to take with you to reapply next year. apply to a wide range of schools and just see what happens.</p>