What are my chances? comments please!!!!

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hi there, my name is Lynn. I wanted to know if i have a pretty good chance at getting into some of the elite boarding schools. I am just starting the admissions process ( i havent taken any of the ssats or gotten recommendations from teachers or anything like that) and i just wanted to hear some feedback as far as what kind of shot i have getting in. My main goal right now is THe Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticuit. I visited and fell in love with it, and it seems like a pretty good fit for me. I go to what is considered an extremely rigourous and elite day school in my area, it is basically like Hotchkiss in Pennsylvania. The academics are the same, theres a sport requirement, very similar to a boarding school money wise and kids wise. I am applying for ninth grade and i want to go SOO badly. School and grade wise i think i have a chance and i really love and have talent for art but athletics i pretty much fall short. Please comment!!!<br>
Hear is most of what will go on my formal application tell me what you think:</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Ceramics and clay forms - my main one, im pretty good, been doing it for about three years. </p>

<p>Cross Country and Track - im just ok at this but i have alot of determination to do better and i have shown alot of improvemt. (I run all year round at my school)</p>

<p>Student Council President/Class president - BIG responcibillity at my school</p>

<p>Middle School Newspaper and Spanish Newspaper - front page journalist, i cover the news of the school</p>

<p>Handbell Ensemble</p>

<p>Japanese Club</p>

<p>Developing leaders club</p>

<p>Debate Club</p>

<p>Cook and Baking classes - ive done a couple of these and i spend alot of time cooking at home</p>

<p>Book Club</p>

<p>About myself and my achievements:</p>

<p>Im known as a pretty good writer - Ive won a school wide writing competition in senventh grade and got honorable mention when i was in sixth</p>

<p>Social studies prize</p>

<p>ive gotten all A's in pretty much everything but math where im always stuck in the B range :( - besides that ive had the occasional B for a term</p>

<p>Ahtletic improvement award </p>

<p>Third place in a school wide public speaking competiotion</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins talent search participant</p>

<p>Completion of childrens hospital of philadelphia cardiac volunteer program</p>

<p>Honors Spanish - i dont really know if this belongs here</p>

<p>Elementary School "Conundrum" winner</p>

<p>I feel pretty ok about the application essay and questions and i think ill get pretty good recommendations from my teachers because im known as this SUPER hard working student and i ussually do well. Im a little worried about the interview and i am really worried about the ssat because of my weakness in math and im just not good at those tests </p>

<p>Id love to hear what you guys think and if you could tell me any tips that helped keep you sane during the admissions process thatd be really great.</p>

2

<p>I'm currently going through the bs admissions process. I'm also considering hotchkiss. From what you've posted, I think you've got a pretty good chance. Just stay calm, relax, and remember that it will all be over in a few months. Otherwise, you're from a private school, so you know what private school administrators are like, so the interview shouldn't be a problem. Express an interest in everything you are interested in at the interview. Hey, maybe I'll see you on campus next year :).</p>

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<p>If you know you want to go to Hotchkiss, why not research it a bit so you can tell them on the application why you want to be there and not at some other place. If you read, have some interest in languages, music and art, the relatively low score in Mathematics will likely not mean all that much. Don't worry about it. The only sure way not to get in is not to apply, so make the best application you can. A place like Hotchkiss thinks of education as a a love affair with ideas. Tell them why you fit there. How your presence there will contribute to the community. Don't worry about the SSAT. Since you are at a pretty decent school already, admissions is most likely more interested in how you compare to your fellow students and will weigh your teacher recommendations much more heavily than the SSAT score. If you are sitting in the top third of your class overall, your chances are pretty good provided you don't need financial aid. If you do need significant financial aid you probably would need to be in the top 10%. That being said, there are however no guarantees. The admission rate at these schools now hovers in the 20% range so it is in your enlightened self-interest to look at some peer schools--I would suggest Deerfield and SPS, Lawrenceville, Middlesex and SGS. These are about the same size as Hotchkiss and have the same campus feel. You will probably end up at Hotchkiss if your love for the place shines through your essay. 'Americans believe in green lights'. Good luck</p>

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<p>Just don't bomb the SSAT like I did. No matter how smart YOU think you are, you have to prep for it. Swallow your pride!</p>

<p>This really is going out to all, not just you lynn. </p>

<p>Honestly, I don't believe that I am disadvantaged in the college admissions game by going to public school. I made everything I could out of it, and saved my parents a boatload of money.</p>

5

<p>You can avoid 'bombing' the SSAT by investing in a preparation book that contains at least three representative sample tests. If you you take the first test for diagnostic purposes without time constraints you will have some idea of the mechanics of the test. Take the second test under time constraints and then figure out where your weaknesses if any are. Take the third under time constraints a few days later and you will probably be within a few percentile points of the real test. You owe it to yourself to prepare but you don't have to turn this into a scholastic form of mortal combat.</p>

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<p>You should look at concord academy.</p>

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<p>i'm not going to tell you if you have a good chance or not, because i'd be lying if i said good or bad. the schools are often unpredictable. i've seen great kids get rejected and mediocre ones accepted. while you should be optimistic, dont get too sure of yourself. you seem to have a lot of ET's. some schools will like that, others will prefer a few with top positions. remember, your interviews will be one of the most significant factors, and your geographic location and race will also count as well (ridiculous, i know) for example, you will have a much less chance of getting in if you're say, asian in living in new york or connecticut (like me). if you are african american and living in the midwest, then your chances will have improved.</p>

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<p>I think you have a good chance as long as you are able to elaborate on things such as Japanese Club and Handbell Ensemble which right now are just interesting footnotes. And stress your experience with speech and debate; they take that quite seriously at Hotchkiss. I agree with paleozoic in that you should really research Hotchkiss and tell them specifically why you want to go there. A passionate interest in the school will really make you stand out.</p>

<p>Don't worry about the SSAT. If you qualified for CTY you will be fine. It's not that hard of a test anyways.</p>

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<p>just for you guys to know i'm a first generation american (my dad is from morrocco my mom is from isreal) im jewish and i live in pennsylvania. I have qualified for CTY and i have been researching hotchkiss for about a year, read books on it, visited it twice and i used to read the daily bulletin and visit the website everyday. ive done plety of research. thanks so much for all the posts. it was great to read your feedback</p>

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<p><b>mikenthemaddog66</b>:
LOL.</p>

<p>YOU ARE A LIAR MIKE. Didn't think I'd see you here.
I didn't prep for the SSAT's. I did phenomenal. You will too. I shouldn't be saying that but I just wanted to contradict Mike.</p>

<p>Anyway, why are you in SO many clubs? How are you doing so many simultaneously? Do you have no time constraints? A little can go a LONG way. I am not trying to downplay your achievements but your 2000 activities doesn't show you're a well-rounded person but rather someone who doesn't know what s/he wants to do (I know you're a she). You shouldn't include the baking/cooking classes if you've only taken a few. Cooking at home doesn't count as an EC. Only put the EC's you REALLY feel passionately about and can write about on your application. You also say you improved in track but that sounds pretty much subjective for me. Do you have an MVP reward to show for it? </p>

<p>Also, did you go to CTY or did you just take the SATs? (You said you participated in JHU's Talent Search) CTY qualifications are pretty low IMO (I don't know if I'm just being a self-righteous prick or if MIKE agrees also). Attending CTY would've been more beneficial since it demonstrates you can only learn at an accelerated level (I got FACE CRUSHED in one of my classes though)</p>

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<p>Well, Nixxi, first I will admit it was only a 1040 on the SATs in 7th grade. But for people who have never had a math higher that pre-alegebra, or don't really read alot the SAT it can be quite a daunting task. CTY in itself is a life changing experience, regardless of whether it helps you with your prep school admissions. I had done 2 years of it, but by not preping for the SSAT, I had my chances blown. Nixxi, you may be a bit jaded by going to that competitive prep school of yours, but at my large regional public school, only 4 people qualified in my class and the 3 classes below me.</p>

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<p>Her school doesn't seem that great. It looks like she's trying to impress us.</p>

<p>I don't think it's any Andover..</p>

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<p>Mike: You don't think there was another kink in your armor that had your "chances blown"? The SSAT isn't a big deal unless you bomb it. Your points are valid though regarding CTY; just taking the test isn't nearly as impressive as going to the summer camp, especially since the living away from home experience can let adcom know that you are ready to make the transition from home. </p>

<p>Lynn: After reading some additional comments I would agree that you should focus your ECs list. You should emphasize the following things:</p>

<p>1). Class president: That IS a big responsibility and schools will perceive you as the best from you school because of this title.
2). Ceramics: You said that was your main one, so I assume you probably have awards or at least samples to back it up.
3). Writing: Newspaper and literary awards plus your essay and perhaps a graded essay they ask you to submit will look quite nice.
4). Spanish: Honors class (by the way, does that mean the rest of your courses are regular level??)+newspaper
5). Debate+Speaking: You have experience and awards and Hotchkiss takes debate very seriously.
6). Track+XC: Always good to be an athletic recruit, and if even your not at that level at least you have potential with your improvement award.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>LOLOLOL JK.</p>

<p>Mike, do you remember me?? ^__^</p>

<p>I actually hate my school. I rant about it constantly since it IS called Bronx SCIENCE and the maths/sciences aren't exactly my forte.</p>

<p>But what gave you the impression I was trying to impress? I'm not exactly sure what I said but by no means was I trying to impress. Irritate Mike, sure, but impress, no.</p>

<p>I think setting the bar higher is better than setting lower expectations. Additionally I said that it's more impressive to actually GO to CTY rather than just 'qualifying'. </p>

<p>I gave many justifications and warrants for the things I said and wasn't just arbitrary disparaging. I wasn't being rude and that might've been the most constructive thing I've ever said to anyone.</p>

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<p>One more thing.
Mike.
Do you know what math I am taking right now? The lowest offered in my school.</p>

<p>I'm going to precalc because I studied hard and retook the placement exam but srsly. NO one is in Algebra. No one.</p>

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<p>Yes Nixxi, I remember you insane little asain. What have you been up to?</p>

<p>Yes I did bomb it. 70th percentile in math and 30th in verbal is what I remember.
EDIT: I like how the lowest math in your school cannot be attained in my school unless you take a math class outside of school. And all of them went from my school (two being my sister and I)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Yes I did bomb it. 70th percentile in math and 30th in verbal is what I remember.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That would do it.</p>

<p>I say this with love. I'm agreeing with your original point.</p>

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<p>Hey im not complaining too much, I'm in to .5 % in my HS and Student Body Pres. I'll look just as good, as if I went to prep school. But I was really arrogant back them, but if you want to do well, you gotta study.</p>

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<p>I'm not giving myself a pity-party but as you know NYC is swarming with Asians and other overachievers of different ethnicities.</p>

<p>I didn't go to CTY this year and I doubt you did too but I'm definitely returning next year.</p>

<p>I think our school has different conceptions of math. It's the math before geometry. I don't go to prep school? I don't believe I even said I go to prep school. Maybe when I was six or so.</p>

<p>Why didn't you return this year? Do you have anymore years left or no?</p>