Updated Stats

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hello again, CC! It's been quite a while since I've posted! I've updated my stats from before, and cut down my list to Hotchkiss, Exeter, and Andover. There are so many other wonderful schools out there, but I don't know if I have the time or resources to look into them all. I'll put the best effort into these schools, as well as Cranbrook, DCDS, and Greenhills. I will be booking my interviews this week, if I can get any more responses about my dietary needs. I sent some emails out this past Saturday, and haven't received much of a response.</p>

<p>In general, I'd like to get some opinions of what I should do and expect. My tours will probably be in Nov/Dec, though I have no idea how deep into the season the tours are booked already. My SSAT is scheduled for November, so I have (eep!) about a month to prepare. I'm both nervous and excited at this point.</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Race: White
Region: Midwest
School History: Public School gifted prmg., grades 6-8
Applying for: 9th grade
Classes for 8th grade: (all core classes are basic school curriculum, with certain advancements for the gifted program, in addition to AGSII (the eqivalent of 10th grade math in our public high school, three levels in all.)
ACT Scores: 22 or so in 7th grade, going in with no studying whatsoever. I wanted to get an evaluation of my raw skills. Take note that I am NOT a fast test taker, so I randomly bubbled the last few answers in every section.
SSAT Scores: Unknown. I haven't been all that optimistic about the practice tests scoring. With an ACT in the mid-twenties, what should I expect?
Interviews/Apps: Decent, I believe. I have good communication in general.
Recommendations: Probably as good as the average teacher who is inexperienced with recommendation letters would write. I have some absolutely wonderful teachers... I just hope that they'll convey everything well.</p>

<p>As far as Elective Classes (for the ones that matter, we have two, if year-round):</p>

<p>Band - Alto Saxophone (5-7) and Baritone (8) --- I might continue alto, or both, in HS.
School Choir (7)
Spanish I (8)</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS (which I have narrowed down and edited)
-- Scrapbooking Club (6,7,8)
-- School Newspaper; Writer (7) and Editor (with a partner) (8)
-- National Junior Honor Society (7,8, inducted at the end of 6)
-- 8th Grade Youth Leadership, 1 of 30 selected from school district (8)
-- Girl Scouts (currently a Cadette) (1-8)
-- School Yearbook Staff, 1 of 6 selected (8)
-- Solo & Ensemble Competition (performed a duet) (7, may continue)
-- Summer Computer Programming Course (8)
-- Supply (Sales) Manager in Band (7) and Band President (8)
-- Student Council Class Representative (8)
-- Tutoring an ADD friend before school, twice a week, in social studies and organizational skills. (8)
-- School Cross-Country Team (8) and Fencing (8th grade summer--- will continue, if I can find time)
-- Before-school prayer group organizer with a friend, if I can avoid having it conflict w/ tutoring (8)</p>

<p>No real, formal awards, more often I just get some praise, which is good enough for me. Should I aim for more formal recognition in the future?</p>

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<p>Should I also include that I was queen of the medieval feast in 4th grade? ;)</p>

<p>APPLYING TO:</p>

<p>CRANBROOK
DCDS
GREENHILLS
ANDOVER
EXETER
HOTCHKISS</p>

<p>Thanks for everything,</p>

<p>--- Cinnamon</p>

2

<p>"if I can get any more responses about my dietary needs"
what do you mean?</p>

<p>I would further winnow down your ecs - leave out the scrapbooking club.</p>

3

<p>Creative -</p>

<p>I have certain dietary issues (similar to allergies) that I need to make sure the dining halls and schools can accomodate. I sent out an email about this, and I need some certainty on the matter before booking interviews.</p>

<p>Scrapbooking club is a little corny, but it ties in with my art/writing interests, such as yearbook staff and newspaper club. Should I keep it on my list, or not?</p>

4

<p>you'll probably have limited space on most apps for ECs and won't have room for all you have above that's why I suggested leaving that one out.</p>

<p>Good luck hearing back re: dietary info. If you don't hear back via email, don't hesitate to call them.</p>

5

<p>Hey Cinnamon! Welcome back.</p>

<p>I know you've put a great deal of thinking and planning into generating your list. I think it looks good, pending (of course) your reactions to Hotchkiss, Exeter and Andover after visiting.</p>

<p>I would agree with Creative about leaving out the Scrapbooking Club. At least don't lead off with it because the "corny" factor tends to bring down the otherwise high-gloss quality of your other ECs. If you feel very committed to including it (and you have the room!), definitely place it down on the list with the summer computer course. I certainly understand the impulse to include it because it does tell the AdComs something more about you, but you are marketing yourself with this list, so you need to consider the impact these items have.</p>

6

<p>hey guys, how did you choose your ECs to put on the application form?</p>

7

<p>Usually people put down the ECs that they spend the most time doing or that they've been doing for the longest. It looks like you are more committed to those activities and not just doing them to put on an application. You should also put down the more prestigious ones such as honors society.</p>

8

<p>Cinnamon -</p>

<p>On the dietary restrictions, one of your parents (because there might be several calls back and forth) should call the admissions department at the schools (even the day schools, if they serve meals) and ask who to talk to about your food needs. Admissions may be able to answer your question, but might refer your parent to the food services director. This is a very basic issue that you should get out of the way now so that you know how to spend your time. Most schools aim to accomodate religious and health based (allergies, celiac disease, and so on) differences as long as it does not impact you ability to participate fully in the school. You aren't asking for any advantages. Many schools have lots of vegetarians.</p>

<p>On the EC's, group them. Put all your publications together, all your sports, all your music. That will be much easier on the reader. I don't know what junior honor society and 8th grade leadership are. If they are actual activities where you do things, explain what you do. If they are honors, put them with school honor roll.</p>

9

<p>Some of the larger schools will also have a nutritionist connected to the student health center as well - this would be a good person to talk to and get to know as an advocate for you. </p>

<p>I took the liberty of looking up a few names for you:
Exeter: Pamela Stuppy
Andover: Aggie Kip, ext. 4472
Didn't find mention of one for Hotchkiss</p>

10

<p>Maybe you should say co-editor instead of Editor (with a partner). It sounds more professional.</p>

11

<p>Why do you want to attend a boarding school? SSAT scores will be very important based on your posted profile. Culver Academies may be of interest to you. ACT score may not be as helpful in your case as would SAT results which are more IQ oriented than the achievement measuring ACTs.</p>