<p>What were your SSAT’s? Are you a Male ballet dancer? Yes crew helps if you have the potential of being over 6’ tall by Junior Senior year if Male. If not you can be a Coxwain.</p>
<p>Sarum, I have zero knowledge about crew. Is height an important eligibility criterion? I would think few middle schoolers have had crew experience. Is it good sport to start in BS?</p>
<p>Sure it is…for both questions.
I know a Paulie who was a LAX player until he got to Berkley then did crew there. He went on to great success, narrowly missing qualifying for the Olympic boat. Btw he is 6’4" and looks like a Greek God. Well not so much anymore as he is in his mid 40’s.
Doesn’t SPS throw everyone into a shell (crew boat) for inter dorm matches at some point in their careers there?</p>
<p>I’m female (8th going to 9th next year), 5’6" (hopefully I’ll grow over the summer). And my SSATs were in the 99th percentile… I really enjoy crew, and I’m sure I’ll continue in BS. Am I too short?</p>
<p>No, not for the female strokers! I’m sure they would love to have you:)
Do you think the muscles you will put on doing crew will adversely affect/effect your ballet form?</p>
<p>Wow, I really didn’t think of that too much… I guess it would definitely affect my ballet form, as I know I will put on a lot of muscle as I continue to row, but hopefully not too much. What are the changes in one’s figure as a rower? Thanks!</p>
<p>"What are the changes in one’s figure as a rower? "
I’m afraid I’m not qualified to answer that question:)
But I would defer that one to my son the SPS freshman, maybe can figure that one out for you.</p>
<p>Thanks Sarum! :)</p>
<p>Like a few other people said, pick one or two things you like and become really great at them. I had one super strong EC (plus good grades, test scores, and recommendations, which it sounds like you already have) and I got into both schools I applied to- Andover and Exeter.</p>
<p>Sorry, to add to that last post:
I spoke with some admissions officers earlier in the year (while I was applying), and they said the worst thing you can do is to send them a huge stack of papers describing all the things you do. They do NOT want to sort through your art awards from 3rd grade and your student council position from 5th. Don’t add things that you don’t devote a lot of time to/aren’t exceptionally good at just to make a big list. It actually hurts you, rather than helps you.</p>
<p>Thanks boarder56! I’m going to work on that. :)</p>
<p>Any time. Good luck!!</p>
<p>I have a similar question to that of “lollipopluvr” relating to my son. As an aside, I am bowled over by lollipopluvr’s accomplishments and think referenced schools missed enrolling a terrific student. My son was waitlaisted at the one school to which he applied for 8th grade as a day student. Said school is top-notch so very competitive for admissions. Son fell in love with school and was crushed by denial. Son is currently 8th grade student at a public school in a suburb famous for quality of public schools, not sure appropriately so. We only applied to super-top private school because public high school is supposed to be so good. Anyway, SSATs (without test prep) were 95%, all As except B+ and B in extremely difficult math class. He will be one of the few kids from his school in Honors Math next year. ECs weak – plays football, loves it, not great at it. Sails, loves it, but doesn’t sail competitively. Has attended well-known science school for children (in summer) for 7 years and likely will be counselor last 2 years of high school. Son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at 5, had aid through grade 4, and lots of extra stuff paid for by parents. He is now “cured”, has friends, etc…, but still does better in small group environments with support. Hence the problem with public high school – 2000+ students, large class size for “honors” classes. Looking toward next year, we are considering trying again, but want to make sure son gets in this time. He would be applying for grade 9 since he is eager to use the transition to repeat since he is young for his grade, and small. We will need lots of FA, in large part because we spent so much money up-front on therapies. Looking for suggestions for schools near Boston. Son loves sports, but isn’t gifted athletically.</p>
<p>aspiemom2- I think your son’s ECs are the problem. At Andover, the admissions officers say that every year, 75% of applicants are academically admissible (this could be a bit off, but it was somewhere around there)- so basically, good grades and test scores are sort of a given. What really makes a strong candidate is that they’re well-rounded; not that your son isn’t, but they look for strong, all-around students who also have something extra that they will bring to the table. Encourage him to find his passion and really work hard and excel in it. Best of luck to you and your family.</p>
<p>aspiemom2 – I think you will get better responses by starting a new thread. Right now, your question is buried in this thread.</p>
<p>I think you would benefit by hiring a Secondary School Consultant who specializes in academic, not therapeutic, boarding schools.</p>
<p>Burb Parent,
How do I start a new thread?</p>
<p>boarder56,
More and better ECs are undoubtably desireable. Issue is that aspie kids have to work very hard just to keep up socially and academically so all mental health advice has been to go easy on ECs. Truth is that son’s acheivement in overcoming adversity is pretty big EC all by itself. Still, good advice. Thanks.</p>
<p>Aspiemom2, on the “prep school admissions” page, there’s a button near the top of the page, labeled “new thread.”</p>