Right now I am a 7th grader and would like to know what I can do to help improve my chances of geting into a top boarding school.I currently have straight A’s and A-'s.I have played the flute for half a year currently and I’m in band.Im also in my schools tennis team and I plan on starting a debate club at my school very soon.I also like to write short stories and draw a bit.I’m thinking of doing alot of community service and I also wan’t to start playing the harp.Ive read that top boarding schools like diversity so I would like to know if me living in california and being biracial helps improve my chances.Im going to apply for financial aid and I know that applying for it will hurt my chances of getting in.That’s all so please give suggestions on what I can do to improve my chances of getting into a top boarding school.
Also do i have a chance of getting into a top boarding school
Yes, you most definitely do have a chance of getting into a top boarding school! As a current Exeter student, I can tell you the number one most important quality in a student is being motivated and curious (two things which you definitely seem to be)! My biggest advice is to keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t stress about the small stuff. Get on writing your application essays and studying for the SSAT as soon as you can (but not too soon) and enjoy the process! P.S. I just started harp this year at Exeter, just because I felt like it and I could 
Thanks for the advice it was very motivational for me.Btw which kind of harp do you play?
Hi, is the SSAT the most crucial part of the application? I am applying to 6 schools (Hotchkiss, Andover, Groton, Deerfield and Choate) and I did very poorly on the ssat (61 overall). I have all A’s, I play goalie in soccer and lacrosse at the club level, and I have been involved in the National Team for soccer. I did extremely well on the interviews and everything has gone well except for my ssat. Do I still have a chance to get into one school?
@keneve6 , although the SSAT is not the most important part of an application, it could have an effect on your decision. For the schools you listed, your scores are quite low, so it’s possible an admissions officer would wonder if you could do the work. However, because you are a high level soccer player and your interviews went well, that might not matter as much. Anyway, no one knows until March 10th. Good Luck! 
I got into all six schools!!
@keneve6 quite frankly I am shocked you got into those schools with a 61.
As Abraham Lincoln used to say, don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
@Korab1 you are funny.
The OP is in 7th grade??
Thank you!
Eh…it’s not fair that someone latched onto my thread for answers and got more replys for thier question then mine :-w talking to you @keneve2
@CottenCandyTrill - yes you have a chance. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Keep it up, start looking at vocabulary list for the SSAT, and knock that out of the park. Yes, California and being bi racial will probably help. When it comes time to do your essays, spend a lot of time here for suggestions and really take your time and pour your heart and soul into them. Good luck to you!
At last someone paid attention to me on my own thread, thanks for the feedback @Korab1
Ha I ended up not learning how to play the harp and starting a debate club,though I’m definitely am doing other things.
Do you have a rough idea of where you’ll be applying in the fall yet? Just curious
I’ll be applying to Andover, Deerfield,Loomis chaffee,Hotchkiss ,Berkshire ,Idywilld ,Culver Academies,Choate,and Middlesex. I’ll probably cut a few of the schools on this list out and maybe add another school. @Nico.campbell
I’m a Berkshire student so if you have questions, feel free to pm me
If you like Idylwilde, you might consider Interlochen and Walnut Hill. Also: Is there a reason Northfield Mount Hermon didn’t make your list? What was the criteria behind your list?