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<p>Yes, DAndrew, and if you’d read my post above (#9), you’d see that I already mentioned that. But despite parallel admit rates, it is still easier to get in as one of 100 new admits, rather than as one of merely 10. The schools simply have more flexibility when they’re admitting a whole new class. They can take the quirky kid who isn’t necessarily much of an athlete. Once you get to grade 10, the schools are looking more for the kids who fit specific openings the school might have (for example, the soccer goalie or flute player). And by 11th grade it’s even harder. In other words, it doesn’t help that the admit rates are the same if the school’s requirements have become more stringent.</p>
<p>karategirl2005 - Placement depends entirely on your demonstrated competence or prior completed coursework when it comes to math, language and science. English and history placement will be with your grade level. However, keep in mind that not all schools have the same humanities sequencing - so your 9th grade class at Andover might do something entirely different from what your local 9th grade history class did. And even if you end up covering some of the same material, I can guarantee that the coverage won’t be the same! Since you’re sleeping through your current classes anyway, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go over the same material again with a teacher who can keep you awake!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I am contemplating, but I most likely will go for trying for my own grade. I know that repeating a grade has it’s benefits, but overall it seems like it would be more challenging and sort of worthless to me. I am a varsity runner at my school now who actually has a very good team ( a boy from my town is #2 in the state), and my state is NJ which is VERY populated so I have some very good competition. I am not trying to go to the school mainly for sports, but they definetely will play a big role in my time there. I have a feeling that somehow one of my many awards( service projects) or sports or hobbies will help me get excepted… :)</p>
<p>100 vs 10? I thought it’s more like 100 vs 50. And you may be right but it’s not my experience. I see grade 10 admission is not so different from grade 9 admission.</p>
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<p>Oh goodness, that’s going to vary from school to school . . . and I used those numbers as an example only. Sorry for any misunderstanding. My recommendations in this thread are based on what I was told by AO’s at two different schools, but you don’t have to rely on what I said . . .</p>
<p>When you interview, karategirl2005 and others, ask the admissions officer if you should consider applying as a repeat 9th grader. The AO should be honest with you as to whether, in your particular circumstances, it might be a good choice. For an accomplished athlete, it might make no difference at all. The best advice you can get is from the school itself. Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions . . . and this should be one of them!</p>
<p>Thanks! I will ask questions at my interview:) I have so many awards from sports, clubs, and community service that if they may only except people because they have a specific talent for my age, there is a good chance I have experience in it. I have tried almost every club out there, along with most sports ( and have been veryy successful… I could be a very good athlete in almost any sport other than soccer)</p>
<p>Dogersmom, I was not trying to correct your numbers but was making the point that grade 10 enrollment is not a very small one. It’s typical in almost all bs that a big number of new 10th graders join the community each year.</p>
<p>So, I submitted my inquiry form saying that I would be applying as a repeat, but after thinking it over, I decided to apply as a 10th grader to some schools. Do you think it matters if I change my application to applying to enter 10th grade when I wrote 9th in my inquiry form?</p>
<p>yongatilla - Just let them know when you schedule your interview. Might change whom they assign as interviewer and tour guide.</p>
<p>Karategirl2005
You should definitely look at St Andrew’s School which is not that far from you in Delaware. Great academics and need blind. Lots of people overlook this school since it’s not in Mass.or Conn. but it’s certainly one of the top schools in the country. At least visit there website and watch their admission videos. You’ll be blown away by the culture of the school, not to mention its beauty. Our daughter attends this school and absolutely loves it. Academics as rigorous as any of the biggies. They have an absolutely spectacular headmaster and faculty. When our daughter applied we found admission standards similar to Hotchkiss.</p>
<p>I currently attend a GLADCHEMS school. I was a new sophomore coming from a high school that I did not find challenging and I also faced some social issues. My advice would be to consider the repeat freshman option. When applying to schools I did not realize that repeating was a good thing. Not only does repeating give you a better social experience, it gives you a better academic experience. If you attend an elite boarding school you will not be left unchallenged. If you already took algebra 2 this year you will not repeat, you will instead be moved on to pre-calc or the next level. I slept through my courses at my old school, but regardless of the class there is no way for me to sleep through a class at my current school. Not only are the teachers superior at these schools, your peer group is superior. When I moved to my new school I was excited to find peers that could challenge me intellectually. I wish you the best in your school search. But just as a side note: Middlesex is the best :)</p>
<p>MXsRtg99 - Thanks for posting about your good experience! And for sharing your “if I had it to do over” advice. It’s always helpful to get a student’s perspective on this.</p>
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<p>Yes, we’ve heard that before . . . :)</p>