Trying for next year. Any advice?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
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<p>Seems like boarding school ain't happening for me this year. Sad, but oh well. As an international student, my parents wanted me only to apply for the "HADES" league schools (if not it's not worth going all the way to the US they said). So that's what I did....and the result? 5 rejects and 1 waitlist...=D. </p>

<p>Yea...not really what one would be ecstatic about. Anyway, I figure that I've moped enough, and it's time to think about my application next year. This time, I've decided that I'm mostly going to apply for schools that are easier to get in(I am in no way implying that these schools are inferior. It is just statistically proven that they have higher acceptance rates, that is all) and maybe re apply for some of the "HADES" league schools again.</p>

<p>However, I do have a worry. This year I am absolutely certain that I will not have any time to do any mentionable items that would look good in my application. This is because I am taking the GCE "O" levels this year (the General Certificate of Education "Ordinary" level), and my school limits all the activities that we the graduating students can do, since they only want us to study in this crucial year. </p>

<p>For those of you who do not know (which would be the majority in this forum), the GCE "O" levels is used for admission to proceed to higher education in this country( not college, but 2 years of Junior college so to speak, before university). However it can also be readily used to apply to Universities overseas. That is to say, technically, I can apply to universities in the US next year after I have received my results. </p>

<p>What I am trying to say is that,my application will not look much better compared to this year. What are things I can do improve my chances? I am aiming for schools like Loomis Chaffee, Concord,Choate( waitlisted this year)....</p>

<p>I am planning to take the SAT this year. Do you think it will help me if I get like 1700~1800?
Please take into consideration that I am a 10th grader(by US standards) and am applying for 11th grade next year....</p>

<p>My report card from last year wasn't good, I got a lot of high 60s and a few 70s....
Where I come from there is no A+ or A- It's just an A. It ranges from F9 to A1. (A1 being the best of course). </p>

<p>A1= 75 and above
A2=71-74
B3=65-69
B4=60-64
C5=55-59
C6=50-54</p>

<p>Below C6 means that you fail. A1 is basically an honors grade already(it's because it's THAT hard...) . It's very different from the US grading system. So although I got what is recognized as Bs and As, it looks very low if defined by the US grading system. </p>

<p>Here's what I have going for me( I don't have a lot of extra curriculars...) : </p>

<p>-160 hours of community work over 4 years
-Member of Scouts, with leadership position
-Member of Media Production</p>

<p>Please, any advice would be helpful. I am determined to get into boarding school next year. </p>

<p>I apologize if I sound rude,arrogant or irresponsible in any of my posts, I will be sure to amend them and my attitude.</p>

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<p>It’s good that you are going to broaden your search. Have you even contacted any schools with rolling admissions this year?</p>

<p>For next year, I would research Mercersburg, Kent, Blair and NMH. They are all great schools, but you need to see if they feel right to YOU. I think M’burg has the most international kids. </p>

<p>Also, I would post this on the main forum. This isn’t really a chance thread. You’ll get more advice and more adults who may reply to you. Best of luck to you. The way you described your current school, I understand why you want to seek other options. It seems a bit…stifling.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much for the advice. I’ll copy and paste this to the main forum.</p>

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<p>did you go for the on campus interview? lol you from singapore too? just wondering, what school are you from? I’m applying for Deerfield Andover and Hotchkiss for Fall 2011. Am in sec 4 now:)</p>

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<p>whoa cometexpress… didn’t want to spill the beans xD. I’m from a school that’s REALLY REALLY GOOD in rugby. We were in the papers recently (because of a fight during the finals…). BUT WE WON AND THE FIGHT WASN’T OUR FAULT. I’m also in Sec 4 now. Tough trying to apply ain’t it? Furthermore, we’ll have to send our prelim results…which is usually meant to kill us.</p>

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<p>HAHA no kidding! you from ACSi? I’m from a girls school that’s really good in track&field. taking SATs this year? but arent you in the IB program? I’m hoping the o lvl results get released before the closing deadline so i can just send my O lvl results instead. it’s my first time applying so i dont rly know what to expect lol.</p>

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<p>CK-507, Look into the Hill School now for enrollment this Fall. They have rolling admissions, excellent academic program and are very supportive of international students. Very traditional school. If I wasn’t so adamant about the BS being within a four hour driving radius from home, I’d happily send my kid there.</p>

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<p>@ cometexpress. Unfortunately, no I’m not in the IB program (IB only starts from year 5).
From Sec 1 to 4, there are 2 streams. O levels and IP. If you’re in IP you’re definitely offered a seat in the IB program. Not true for O levels, but I’m sure you know that. </p>

<p>Yea I’m thinking of taking the SATs this year. Just maybe it’ll improve my chances…</p>

<p>Even if the O level results are released after the deadline, you can still send it to them as an update to your profile. So that shouldn’t be a problem.</p>

<p>@momb2k hmm…I’ll look into it…</p>

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<p>um, hi? haha nice to meet you i guess.
so you didn’t apply this year?</p>

<p>okay i’ll try to help you as best as i can but don’t take my word for anything because i’m not really sure about the admissions stuff anyway.</p>

<p>the application is pretty self-explanatory; just fill it in with what it asks you to. for extracurriculars i have piano, percussion, dance, volleyball, student council president. but you don’t really have to be overloaded. as long as you have sports and something you feel really passionate about you should be fine. my ssat was 99 and i’m a straight A student, but grades don’t matter as much as you think they do. most people i know are average students, like 85 on their tests and solid B’s and A’s in school. what really matters is your personality and to be confident, so the interview and essay are pretty important. i don’t know what my hook was… write about something you feel strongly about that also reflects the kind of person you are. </p>

<p>and don’t worry about too many awards or math class levels… i’ve followed the public school system my whole life and so have most people i know. for awards i have some for various instruments and stuff but what really matters is the kind of person you are.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

<p>and I go to PEA</p>