I’m in 8th grade (applying for 9th) , I live in South East Asia I used to go to a top international private school for a couple of years, but now I go to a smaller international private school. I have gone to private schools all my life. I used to live in the middle east for 10 years and I’m an army brat (I can’t tell if that’s a “hook” or not). I’m also Asian American(Philippines) (Is that a URM). I’m also applying for financial aid ///
My extracurriculars include:
- Playing the flute (3 years) and violin (5 years but I stopped for a while so I lost touch…)
- I have been painting for a couple of years and I made a portfolio.
- I’ve spoken french for 6 years. (I’m in High school french)
- I used to speak Arabic for 4 years but I’m very rusty now.
- I swim a lot (but not very amazing at it)
- I read a lot of young adult books
-I was on my student council.
I have gotten silver and bronze in some international math competitions.
I have gotten gold and bronze in an online french competition.
I am on my school’s honor roll.
I am NOT a legacy of any school.
My grades:
- My seventh grade report card was not that great, I a lot of A’s but not a lot of A+'s, however in Art I got a A+++ (that has to count for something right ?)
- My eighth grade report card is mostly A’s but there a few B+'s.
,
But here’s the kicker, my ssat was horrible, downright trash. The percentile is in the low 70’s and my weighted score is 2099. And I can’t retake the ssat due to scheduling conflicts… However, Andover does allow the ssat to be taken in February so that might be something?
I heard that good/top boarding schools have average ssat scores of >85% and mine’s is clearly no where close so IMO I don’t stand a chance. However, I have some friends who were accepted to the “top schools” (exeter, andover etc) a few years ago that said that the ssat’s are not a HUGE HUGE deal… but I’ve seen conflicting things online.
My teacher recommendations were pretty good I would say, as I am liked by my math and english teacher.
I want to see what all of your opinions are on my candidate profile and what my chances are.
I need advice on how to impress the schools even though I have a mediocre ssat score.
Apologies if there is a typo/grammar error I wrote this quite quickly.
also I accidentally made this same post in the “College Admissions” side so I don’t know how to move it so I just made a new one.
Dear OP, I think you should review your list if you really want to attend a BS in NE that is not only serving your desire for a “top school”(as you stated) but ( more importantly) a school that will be the “best fit”. Given what you stated about your interest in art and your talent, be sure to inquire about how to submit your portfolio. It was our experience that some of the schools had their own process for portfolio submissions - also a different platform for submitting painting v. Photography, as well as performing arts video. There are ways to add it to your Admissions package online, but it was our experience that it served us well to contact each admissions office about A) how to submit portfolios and B) criteria wanted in each portfolio. Hotchkiss, when kiddo applied, had specific examples of art and photography. We also sent specific clips in the PA video to other “top schools”.
No. It’s an ORM.
It’s not.
Rampant grade inflation???
That’s just disingenuous. Yes, it’s below the median, but hardly trash.
I have to agree with @Golfgr8 ;you need to expand your list of schools. An international needing FA is going to be difficult.
My old school had a different grading system (it was weird, i know), and it that was the equivalent, I guess.
I have safeties, I know these are obviously reaches, I am just wondering what the chances are.
There are lots of amazing schools with teachers who are every bit as good as the teachers at the schools you mentioned… schools where you would thrive, shine, get a fantastic education, and be prepared to succeed at a wonderful college.
You need to broaden your list of schools. Check out Berkshire, Pomfret, George, Tabor, Millbrook, Gunnery, Governors, and my favorite, St Andrew’s School in Delaware. You might have a greater chance of admission and you will still get a top notch education at these smaller, less famous schools that are well known and highly regarded among boarding school insiders and college admissions officers.
If you are a girl, add Emma Willard, Ethel Walker, Madeira, and Chatham Hall to your list.
@skieurope I have a question if you don’t mind answering, what constitutes an international candidate? A candidate that lives outside of the states or is it a candidate that doesn’t have US citizenship? If it’s the latter then I wouldn’t be an international candidate because I have US citizenship.
That’s called burying the lede.
Yes, that does make a difference in your favor. An international candidate, for admissions purposes, is one without a US passport or green card.
@skieurope That’s great!
I have a follow-up question, although I’m not sure if you are able to answer it.
When applying to schools you have to pay an application fee, the prices are different for international students and domestic students. Does the same logic apply for this?
IIRC, the application fee is based upon home address, not nationality. That’s why I put the caveat “for admissions purposes,” meaning decision-making, not the application itself.
@poppyseedbagel If you need it you can also get a fee waiver for the admissions fee 
@cmbyn02 I didn’t know about that, but I think I’ll be fine thanks for the advice!
You don’t have that many extracurriculars outstanding extracurriculars that these top schools are looking for, but it’s too late now to do anything. Your grades are very high (seriously, you’re worried about not having a lot of A+s??!) All you can do now is work on your essays. Good luck!