<p>I am from China and my English is very pooor. so maybe i will have a lot of mistake in this ....(whatever you called)
First i want to introduce myself. I am a grade 8th student studying in middle school attached to Qing Hua University (it's one of the best schools in China) and I am a top 5% student. My math is really great that I have got over 20 prizes in math competition. What's more, I am keen on sports, and got the second place in hurdle race. I can play the piano and guitar very well. I learned ballet for 7 years, and singing as wellI found this website accidentally, and after look through it for many times, I found people there are really kind and I dooooooo need your help!!!!
I didn't even think about studying in America high school until I read a book called "from Andover to Harvard". The book is about a young boy as the same ages as me who accidentally got a ticket to an orientation meeting of Andover，he never dreamed of studying in Andover too, and it's only 3 months before the deadline. He worked very hard and got a very good grade that he got the admission and FA of Andover. After reading this book, I realized that American education is more suitable for me, so I desire to study in American high school. However, my English is really poor. The boy in that book has been stay in England for 3 years. But I havent. : (
And guess what else is wrong?
MOST of my mother's friends' children are in Canada or America. One of them is studying in Choate. She has been stay in Canada for 4 years and she didn't even prepare for ssat but she got a quiet excellent score. But one of them is totally a Chinese, he has never been to any count else. Before the exam he memorizes over 700 new words every day to prepare for the exam. Guess what? He got only 1900 in ssat and none of the top 20 school accept him. Because of this, I have the feeling that I can't be accepted by any school no matter how hard I study. And my English can't improve so quickly. But someone who has been stay in foreign country can get good grades whether he works hard or not. I feel unfair and a little bit jealous. I know it's bad but I can't control myself. What should I do????
Hotchkiss is visiting our school now; sometimes I even try to break into their rooms to tell them about my eagerness. I know it's a little bit crazy, but I don't know what else I can do to let them know me. I was sooooo small that they may absolutely never know me. What should I do????
And last, I don't have ssat score and I want to study in America in 2011 (grade 10). Is there enough time for me to prepare?? Do you have any advice for me to improve my English?</p>
<p>You don’t have to take the SSATS if your first language is not English. You can take the TOEFLS (if it is spelt like that) because it is meant for people where English is not their first language.
Also, many boarding schools have international students where English is not their first language.
Studying 700 vocabulary words does not help. Trust me, I have tried but you just forget it or confuse it at the day of the test. The best way to study is getting an SSAT book or reading books with complicated vocabulary. That way, you can get the meaning in the context.
It’s ok if your English isn’t as good! If Mandarin is your first language, then the admissions would accept that. When you have an interview (part of the application process), just be yourself. It’s all they want
If you really want to improve your English, I guess you can get a tutor to help you study or do English worksheets.
I am learning French so I read French books to help me understand the words in the context!
There is a lot of time to prepare. Trust me, you have all summer and the year to prepare. Just work hard and you will succeed!</p>
<p>HahaFailure, you are incorrect. Both the SSAT and TOEFL are required. SSAT is required of ALL applicants. TOEFL is required in addition if English is not you first language.</p>
<p>I agree with Neatoburrito. HahaFailure, from the language in your post, I guess you’re an international applicant too?</p>
<p>I am an international applicant myself so I know. Wonderigirl, are you applying for full financial aid? Because admission to the top schools is ultra competitive for international students who ask for full aid. I’d like to think of myself as a strong applicant; even though English is not my first language nor have I ever been in a predominantly English speaking environment, my TOEFL was >110 out of 120 and my SSATs were 99%. I was ranked in the top 5% of my class, my essays were decent, interviews went well but I was not accepted anywhere this year because I needed full FA (this was directly stated in the letters).</p>
<p>Wonderigirl, there isn’t a lot of time to hone your English before you apply next fall. Phillips Exeter’s prerequisite for international applicants is a minimum TOEFL score of 100, and based on my experience of taking the test, your current command of English shouldn’t be past 100. To be totally honest with you, I don’t think you will be able to significantly improve your language proficiency over the period of six months. However, if you study really hard for the test, anything’s possible . My advice is that you should hit the TOEFL prep book right NOW. I’d suggest you to start with a book for intermediate students. Make it a point to memorize 10 words a day, spend at least half an hour everyday listening to English tapes and keep a daily journal to improve your writing ability. Also, grasp every opportunity to practice your spoken English. You are lucky to live in Beijing where there is a large population of native speakers and innumerable language schools. I live in a small town in a small country and have achieved this level of fluency in English by self-studying. Also remember, DO NOT STUDY 700 WORDS A DAY. I strongly discourage cramming because the hurried coverage of material tend to result in poor long-term retention of material.</p>
<p>Another valuable advice is that you should apply to a mix of mid-tier and top-tier schools. Approximately 75% of the applicant pools to the top schools are academically admissible with straight As and high standardized test scores but in fact, the majority of those applicants do not get accepted. Statistically speaking, you won’t be accepted too. I in no means want to discourage you from applying or imply that you are not qualified for the Big 10 - in fact, from your post you sound like you’re an intelligent student who is passionate about her education - but I think it is very risky applying to only the HADES when you can have better chance at lower tier schools who can also ensure quality education.</p>
<p>Also, a quick note regarding the Andover to Harvard book: remember that prestigious prep schools aren’t the stepping stones to elite US colleges. And Andover isn’t the only great school out there.</p>
<p>Oops, sorry.
I never took the TOEFL before, only the SSAT.
Sorry for the mistake…
Assign: I’m from Canada… now I live in America XD I’m sorry you didn’t get in. You seem like such a strong applicant!
Are you reapplying next year then?</p>
<p>HahaFailure, thanks for the condolence. Yes, I’m re-applying this year. I have the experience of applying this year, plus next year I’ll ask for less financial aid so I’m confident that I’ll get in somewhere next year. :D</p>
<p>Hey Wondergirl:
I’m from China and am accepted to Exeter this year (i only applied to HADES, very risky choice.I would’ve applied to other less selective schools) - PM me</p>
<p>Before anything, you should feel fortunate that you go to one of the best high schools in China (whereas I went to a small school where the academic offerings were extremely limited and no EC opportuinties were accessible). You go to qinghuafuzhong?</p>
<p>P.S.: start the process right now and don’t hesitate to take risks to improve your english, if you are really determined to attend BS (as assign said, Beijing is a metropolitan city where many native speakers reside in). Don’t let the daunting SSAT discourage you: last year my SSAT percentile was 68% and four months ago I scored a 93%…</p>
I’m sorry you didn’t get in. You seem like such a strong applicant!