I skipped a grade but am willing to go back into 9th. Would this help me?
Currently taking all honors and one AP (APWH) besides Spanish.
-4.5 gpa
-Honor Roll since middle school
-Taekwondo, Black Belt
-Lacrosse
-NJHS
-Just started debate club
-French Horn with District Awards
-Theater for 4 years. Main roles in some performances
-Haven’t taken the SSAT yet
Do I have a chance of any of these schools? What are some SSAT Study Tips? Is there anything I can do to improve until the deadline?
If you skipped a grade and still manage honors, I don’t think that it’s something to worry over. If anything, I think many of the schools you aim to enroll in will be more likely to accept you because of it.
For your other activities, you seem almost too qualified to be admitted into at least one of these schools.
There’s just one thing.
You haven’t mentioned anything about interviews or essays. Schools care about more than just high academic performances or awards in areas such as athletics or sports. That’s not to say that they’re not incredibly influential, but they’re still only part of the application.
These schools also want to know ‘why/how are you such a high achiever?’ ‘what kind of a person are you?’ If you’ve had straight As since primary school, but your only motivation was to glance at them on your report card, then you won’t be likely to be admitted.
So my advice is to flesh out your reasoning/motivations for what you’ve done and to make sure you have a grasp of who you are. Be sure that you don’t come across as shallow (this might seem uncourteous to you, but I’m only implying that you didn’t put a lot of depth into this post).
I’m not sure about all the schools you listed, but I do know that Phillips Andover Academy isn’t using any standardized tests to evaluate students this year.
I would suggest you follow the schools you’re applying to on social media, which is a good place to stay updated on important information. I use Instagram, but other platforms like Twitter are okay.
For the schools that do require standardized testing still, I would suggest getting guidance books. I would argue that they contain all the advice, rules, practice tests, and answer keys you would need to get a good score. If you struggle with standardized tests (and if you can afford it), there are a variety of online tutoring programs specifically designed to help students improve there scores on SSAT, PSAT, etc.,
This is unlikely. Unless OP goes to a well known school, known for it’s academic rigor, all this info tells an AO is that they are likely able to do the work. BS are filled with kids who took all honors classes and got a 100 on everything only to enter BS and be an 85 average student. OP, if your family can afford it, I would talk to AO’s about repeating only because these schools are set up to be a 4 year process. Entering at 9th grade gives you the full experience and allows you a year to get your footing. (Unless you are coming from a JBS - different story and you should rely on your JBS placement counselor). Additionally if you are a year younger know that many kids will be 2-2.5 years older than you. You’d be shocked at the number of re-classed kids at many top notch schools. Many do it for sports (which for boys makes even more sense) or to ensure a smooth academic transition. If you are a boy, 3 years younger than your class and want to play a varsity sport, that age difference makes it less likely.
This is totally incorrect. I am sorry to come across so strongly but I think perhaps other kids need to read these threads and be realistic.
The GPA and honor roll simply tic off “can do the work” - this isn’t something that puts kids above other applicants.
Black Belt - says disciplined and committed, good character attributes, but nothing that will help the school shine
Lacrosse - you don’t mention if you are good enough to be a varsity level impact player your first year. If you are this is your biggest win yet on your application.
French Horn and theatre - you are well rounded! This is great. Do any of these schools need a French horn player or are they already 4 deep in that instrument and therefore will give that spot to a cello player because they will have no cello next year.
OP - You ARE a great candidate! But that means you have a 15% chance at some of these schools - maybe a little more because there are always kids who apply “just to see”. I’m assuming you are thinking that St Georges is your “safety?” I don’t know it well enough to comment on that but with an admit rate between 17 and 25% that isn’t really a safety… Again, you are a good candidate, even more so if you are a full pay kid, but I want other people to read this and not think that this profile is a sure thing to schools that you have listed.
I also agree that for you flushing out your personality in essays and interviews will be important. You want to jump out to an AO as someone who will be a great fit for their school. You want them to be able to picture you in the orchestra or on the lacrosse field. Research the schools and figure out why you would be a great member of the community and make sure to get that across! Good luck.
ETA: OP, excellent job creating a clear picture of your ECs versus putting everything you have ever done in an effort to look impressive. When I read your list it is totally believable. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to pad it to seem more impressive - it’s good right now.
You don’t and can’t know what the school needs. The school could easily need something completely out of your control, e.g. they need a 10th grade girl day student and you are a 9th grade boy boarder. You might be 10x better than the girl day student they accept, and it just won’t matter.
My kids weren’t musical, so I don’t speak from knowledge, but I don’t believe most boarding schools have “band”. They seem to have orchestras and various ensembles. Perhaps someone who knows more can chime in.
Most schools have a variety of music ensembles. They may be particularly excited to admit a kid who plays a particular instrument they need. Or they may just be interested in adding instrumental talents to the class. My kid’s class had 5 cellists in it so not all schools get super hung up on numbers.
A lot of the ones I’ve chosen, my list has changed, have a symphony-style band where they need a lot of French Horns like the symphony has. I’m just not sure if they have too many and don’t need more.
For SSAT study tips:
Memorize the dictionary.
I got a 800 on my vocab and my overall was the 97th percentile even though Math was only 91 and reading was 92.
If you fall a little low on other categories like I did, vocab will make up for it. Getting a great score on the vocab also proves your determination.