Uhh... what prep schools do I honestly stand a chance at?

Prep School Admissions
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<p>LONG POST IS LONG.
Sorta.</p>

<p>I've reallyreallyreally wanted to go to a prep school for ages, but never really bothered trying until now. My parents weren't ever going to fly with it but now that my brother's out of the house, I guess they'll be able to afford it after financial aid.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm wanting to apply for 11th grade, and I'm quite under qualified.
Yeah.
Right now, I'm third in class (of 100ish) because I got a 95% in PE last semester. My teacher hated me. I mean, I tried, but I just sucked. I can't run for the life of me. The rest of my classes were >95%.
Don't know what my current grades are now, but I imagine they're all >95%. I'm taking the most advanced classes my school will let me, and this year I'm in Honors English II, Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II, and World History. Sucks, the advanced classes aren't really available until 11/12th grade years. I was in Spanish II last year, but our teacher quit. There's a retired teacher teaching I and II, but she can't teach III. I was basically... screwed.</p>

<p>I'm taking the PSAT on Wednesday, so I don't know my results from that... haven't taken the SSAT and can't since it isn't offered around here, plus it's too expensive.
But I did take the ACT in 7th grade and got a composite score of 24. Anddd a 23 composite score on the Explore.
I got one of those President's Education Award things in 8th grade. And 4-8th grade I got some shiny pins from my teachers for top-in-class. But I don't think that really counts since those aren't official. >_></p>

<p>My English and math teachers barely know me since I've only had them for two months now, but I imagine they'd whip up something good.</p>

<p>I'm wanting to use my enrichment/gifted class teacher for my personal recommendation because she loves me and said she'd be "super awesome" at filling out recommendations.</p>

<p>Sports? I suck.</p>

<p>Extra-curricular? Almost nothing here. I live in the middle of nowhere. I'm in TREND (some local thing? that replaced SADD), and we do <em>some</em> volunteering. I'm trying to get more involved but I can't seem to find anything. I'm also in scholar bowl, but it's my first year and I know we go to some meets but we haven't gone to any yet. I'm also in mathletes, but they do absolutely nothing. Seriously.</p>

<p>Ohohoh, I'm planning to go on a trip to New Orleans to volunteer and help build houses for 4 days. But I don't really know if I can include that on an application because it obviously hasn't happened yet.</p>

<p>I was in Girl Scouts from kindergarten to 6th grade but I quit because, again, we did pretty much nothing. Dumb idea to quit. I was also in band, but I had to quit that in order to squeeze in visual arts classes into my schedule. I personally don't think I'm amazing at visual arts, but I'm honestly the best in my grade. </p>

<p>And uh... well, don't know how well I'll be with the whole essay thing or the interview. D: I'm not really too passionate about anything, other than my love of animals. I honestly care more about animals than humans. If that's something I shouldn't tell interviewers, warn me. Hah.</p>

<p>I don't honestly know what sets me out from everyone else.
I'm half South Korean and left handed?
I live near a field of corn and a many small pastures of cows?
I live in Missouri, home of meth labs? Fml.
I really want to get the heck out of here, away from all the underage drinkers and druggies. My entire family pretty much sucks and I want to go to a nice prep school, then a nice college, and then get a vair nais, successful job.</p>

<p>Buuuut, yeah.
I don't know what chance I stand with good boarding schools.
Anyone got ideas?
The applications must allow for PSAT in lieu of SSAT, and have a personal recommendation instead of extra-curricular recommendation.
And, uhh... financial aid is important.
Oh, and they must allow phone interviews. I can't go to the campus.
Would like to go somewhere with 300+ students.
Don't care where, as long as it's in the continental US.
Non-denominational is an absolute must.</p>

<p>I pretty much know that it'd be worthless to try to apply to all those nice schools like Exeter and Andover. Mmph.
But there must be some less-than-awesome schools that'd take me, right? D:</p>

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<p>Oh, jeez.
There’s a whole 'nother section for chances.
/facepalm</p>

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<p>see yah…</p>

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<p>Uhh… eh? D:</p>

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<p>What about a study abroad program like AFS instead?
You sound like a smart student who is bored out of her mind and wants an adventure.</p>

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<p>Looks like AFS programs are pretty short… I don’t want to come back to this awful place.
Plus, I only speak English, so I’d only be able to go to countries speaking English. Right?</p>

<p>And the times for those programs are weird.
Really would rather go to a prep school.</p>

<p>But no one is recommending any schools to me. D: Poo.</p>

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<p>Emma Willard
You could probably get in
it is all girls</p>

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<p>Emma Willard requires a campus visit. No can do…</p>

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<p>You could apply to be a Senate page during your junior year. It’s a paid position, students live in a dormitory in DC during their term, continue taking typical junior year classes and have the insider experience of a lifetime.</p>

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<p>One more idea for this summer: you may want to investigate the Missouri Scholars Academy. It’s a 3 week summer residential program held at the University of Missouri, Columbia. It’s for rising juniors, which you will be during the next summer. Each public and private school in Missouri nominates one sophomore for consideration for the 330 spots.</p>

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<p>Apply for the Nobel Peace Prize…</p>

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<p>Kay, now really, supply some decent answers, or get out.</p>

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<p>

I’ve heard Harvard has a wonderful undergraduate program.</p>

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<p>Sssarah there are many great schools. It is all about finding the right fit for you. Check out the website [Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5DBoarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com) and narrow your search. You have good grades, and you’re from Missouri which is a plus. If you love animals, you might check out the Millbrook School in Millbrook, NY. It has its own zoo. Many of these schools will do phone interviews. What you need to do is start contacting the ones you are interested in and ask them about testing, financial aid and interviews. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Emma Willard requires a campus visit. No can do…</p>

<p>Actually all the schools say they require a campus visit but if you really can’t make it they will interview you over the phone. My son did some of each last year and was accepted by 3 of his 4 phone interviews so it is possible.</p>

<p>Pick the schools you like and start calling.</p>

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<p>you are right scotland
I couldnt visit sps but i had a telephone interview</p>

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<p>Scotland45, I guess each BS applicant has his own story to tell. My son applied last year to 10 prep schools. He was accepted at every school for which he had an on campus interview (3) , but he was waitlisted (5) or rejected (1) at every school for which he had an off campus or telephone interview, except one (at which school he was accepted). Our lesson learned? Interview on campus, by all means!</p>

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<p>It sounds like you are looking for some serious answers – so I will give you some suggestions and some feedback you didn’t ask for.</p>

<p>my son successfully applied to boarding schools two years ago (he is a sophomore this year) and he also needed financial aid and was not able to visit the campuses to interview in person. There were a number of schools where that was perfectly acceptable.</p>

<p>I would suggest you take a look at Andover, NMH, Mercersburg, St Paul’s, Asheville, Blair, Peddie and Lawrenceville.</p>

<p>However – don’t pick your school based on who doesn’t require an in person interview. Many schools list on their website that an in person interview is required – and will waive that requirement for those who live a long distance and can’t afford the visit. Look at boarding school review and make a list of schools you are interested in – do they offer the language you want to take? What about the arts, sports, extracurriculars? What if you don’t want to do a sport – do you have to? What about the dress code? size? rural or urban?</p>

<p>I highly recommend Northfield Mount Hermon – but I may be biased since my son attends.</p>

<p>One point of feedback that is really important – your parents must support your desire to go to a boarding school. This is a question that will be asked by the admission staff – and your parents will need to write their own essays.</p>

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<p>@hsmomstef: Actually, NMH is one of the schools I’ve been looking at. They’ve got a work program and I really need some work experience, so I’m actually looking forward to that. It also has a nice amount of visual arts classes and Spanish. \o/</p>

<p>My parents know that I’ve always wanted to got to a boarding school, so I sure hope they support my desire. D;</p>

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<p>More importantly, you need to have some more self confidence…</p>