<p>I will be applying for eleventh grade at different "top" boarding schools. I'm homeschooled but most of my classes are taken online (and they are scored, graded, etc. by other people.)</p>
<p>Grades: 95-100 range</p>
<p>SATs: I got over a 2100 on the SATs in 8th grade. This year I will probably get higher scores.</p>
<p>Diversity: I'm from NC, so I'm not sure if that is geographical diversity or anything.</p>
<p>Financial Aid:</p>
<p>I will need full financial aid. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>Duke TIP Summer Camp</p>
<p>I am actively involved in theater and I have been in several local commercials. </p>
<p>Most of what I do is volunteer work because it is free for my family. I volunteer for roughly 1-2 hours per day and I generally get 10 hours per week. My recommendations will come from these people/live online teacher. </p>
<p>Volunteer positions</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The youngest docent with a local historical home (I direct tours). I also work in the gift shop, answer phones, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>I volunteer in the children's section of the museum where I lead crafts, different activities, etc. and I run the sunday activity cart. </p></li>
<li><p>I volunteer with my favorite librarian at the local library shelving books, working with the children for school trips, etc.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Also, at the historical home I led/came up with the idea a “going green” activity day where over 200 people showed up. </p>
<p>11th is tough. Like, really tough. </p>
<p>Just try to be as sincere and yourself in interviews, flatter your teachers next year, especially math and English, and write good essays. </p>
<p>To significantly increase your chances, consider applying for repeat-10th. Many people apply as repeats. You’ll be in good company. </p>
<p>You look great, but maybe applying for a repeat 10th would be a better idea, since junior year at BS is super tough. You could maybe add some sports in as well! Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve considered repeating, but I have family responsibilities that will not allow me to take a whole extra year out. I suppose my situation is different than my bs applicants in that regard, but it would be very selfish for me to take off another year since I’m already leaving for two years. </p>
<p>I didn’t see any sports listed - it might me a good idea to start one or two, especially with summer coming up. North Carolina is somewhat under represented among some schools, but it depends on which schools you’d be applying to. Also, needing full financial aid puts you in an extremely competitive applicant pool for kids needing financial aid. Plus you’re applying for 11th grade, which is even more competitive. The odds are against you (they’re almost always against you in the boarding school application process) but load up on more extracurriculars if you can, add some sports! Keep getting great grades, take some advanced classes if you can. Do your best on the SSAT or SAT and complete the application carefully while answering the essays to the best of your ability. Interview really well - the interview is arguably the most important part of the process.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you! I am taking swim team this year (it’s just a summer thing, but I train during the winter) but I did not take it last year because of family issues. I’m sure there are people applying who are better than me, but I researched Andover’s swim team’s timing at meets and my average times meet up with the girls on their swim team, so that’s something. I hold literally every single team record for the girl’s division, except for the age group I didn’t attend.</p>
<p>Although, to put it in context, my team is at the community pool and we are pretty horrible. </p>
<p>It’s a good EC to put down regardless, but it definitely helps that your times are about the same as the girls at Andover.</p>
<p>I disagree about the suggestion to begin a sport just to put it on your application. I think your volunteer work is really interesting and shows a sincere “authentic” interest. Your involvement indicates a passion that you have and is something that you can talk about continuing at boarding school. Some schools (Andover) have their own museums and you could ask about volunteer activities there and many schools have community service opportunities in local school districts. The schools are interested to know what makes YOU different from all the other students applying and they are looking to see what you will add to their community. </p>
<p>I meant that swimming was a good EC to put down, regardless of whether the club as a whole is good or not. It’s good that her times are around those of the girls at Andover. If her times weren’t, that’s still okay as long as she enjoys swimming and has fun with it.</p>
<p>You can try out different sports over the summer, too. There’s potential to find one you really like. If you do find one or two you like, that’s awesome. They have the potential to look good on an application.</p>
<p>Ironmom is right, you shouldn’t do something just to put it on your application - do things you’re genuinely interested in. Sorry if it came across as “just do it to put it on the application.” ^#(^ Definitely not what I was trying to say. :)</p>