Which boarding school should I apply for? My chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a grade seven, going into grade eight. I would like to apply for a boarding school which I can attend in grade 9. Right now I'm having trouble choosing schools, as I can tell from the threads on this forum that my extra-curricular activities and achievements are simply not outstanding enough to get me into first-tier schools such as Exeter and Andover.</p>

<p>Grades:
-I have been a straight-A student ever since grade six, with the exception of Home Economics, Drama, and Technology Education. Before grade six I would always get C+'s in P.E, but now I've learned to try harder and is achieving straight-As in P.E as well.
-My school does not have AP or other advanced classes, so it is not possible for me to attend such classes.
-I have taken many practice SSAT tests and have received overall scores of 91% - 95%. My vocabulary was 87% the first time, so I am working to improve on it.</p>

<p>Extra-curricular activities:
-Regional swim team (not very good; never won any awards)
-Piano, currently in level 8; taking the level 10 (highest level) test hopefully in January
-Art classes (does this count?)</p>

<p>Awards:
Nothing basically, except for a virtual science fair award from grade six.</p>

<p>Extras:
-I speak fluent Mandarin...because I am Mandarin</p>

<p>Wow. That's it. Now that I think about it; I really am not quite an impressive applicant. :/
I was thinking about applying for Brentwood College School, Annie Wright Upper School, Choate Rosemary Hall (impossible), Westminster School, The Webb Schools, Ashville School, Blair Academy (though I am not religious and would prefer to go to a non-religious school), Concord Academy,The Loomis Chaffee School, or Ashbury College. Please tell me which, if any, of my choices are reasonable! I would appreciate some 'safe' schools as well!</p>

2

<p>Some of these schools that you’ve mentioned are pretty high up on the charts. Basically what that means is that the acceptance rates are low (10-20%), and the pool of kids that apply are super competitive. I’ve done literally so much research over the past three years of my middle school, and what elite boarding schools are looking for aren’t specifically kids that are really smart, but rather, people who are different. People who have a drive and a different thing about them (whether that be that they love dance, a certain sport, a love for a pursuitable career, etc.) They’re looking for special applicants that would bring their school something new, something unique that could add on a different style in that group of kids. This is what makes you stand out.
The interview and the essays are probably the most important, IMO. Because they can see really how they might want you or not in their schools. Although academics and transcripts do play a large roll in your chance of admission, be sure to pay attention to both parts- the scores and the personality.
Also, remember that there are TONS of other boarding schools out there that still offer quite a rigorous education and many great opportunities. </p>

<p>Find a school that fits you, not the school that everyone thinks is the highest and best. Because only you can determine which boarding school is the best- find your preference and have a great educational and personal experience there, rather than applying to ones you think are just rigorous, and then being uncomfortable and having to constantly catch up to the classes all four years.</p>

<p>Go to <a href=“http://www.BoardingSchoolReview.com%5B/url%5D”>www.BoardingSchoolReview.com</a> and see the full list with hundreds of schools to choose from! :)</p>