Yup...a chances thread

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Well, I never thought I'd make a chances thread, and I don't even go on CC that much, but I thought, hey, might as well. I'm going into 10th grade, actually, and last year I applied to boarding school as well. I got accepted into L'ville and waitlisted (later rejected) by Andover, but I ended up just going to my public high school because of financial reasons. This year, I'm considering applying again, but since I've already started high school, I'm not sure I want to spend the energy into applying. Anyway, here are my stats...</p>

<p>Asian female in Jersey
GPA: I don't know for HS yet, since we have just started, but in middle school it was definitely above 4.0...
SSAT: Haven't taken yet, but last year I got 99 percentile</p>

<p>EC's:
I do a lot of arts, it's a big passion of mine...but no sports (in the competitive level, I do play sports recreationally and value individual fitness...not that they will care)</p>

<ul>
<li>Piano (9 years, numerous distinctions, exam awards, and honors)</li>
<li>Chorus (since 6th grade, in school's select group, made regionals last year, going for regions/all-state this year)</li>
<li>Orchestra (played violin for 4 years, section leader in school's select group)</li>
<li>Musical Theater (have played principal roles)</li>
<li>Drama (have played lead roles, but with both musical theater and drama, it's all been at the school-level)</li>
<li>Ballet</li>
<li>Volunteer at Chinese School as TA, also won many awards at Chinese School, but not sure of the prestige of those</li>
<li>Lots of volunteering in general...I've done soup kitchens and food banks this summer while in Baltimore, and also at the library. Probably around 30 hours this year already.</li>
</ul>

<p>This summer, I also attended a session at JHU-CTY...not sure if this'll be of much help, except for the experience with dorm life and maybe the academic rigor.</p>

<p>FUTURE EC's:
- Habitat for Humanity (just joined this year, participating in fundraisers, but just a freshman, so only starting out)
- FBLA (also just joined this year)
- Forensics Speech and Debate (started this year in HS, hopefully I'll be able to rack up a few points sometime)</p>

<p>APPLYING TO: I'm considering applying to Exeter, SPS, possibly Andover again, and maybe Thacher (which is a smaller school, from my understanding; however, I'm not sure if I want to go all the way to Cali for an interview). I just want to know if I have a chance or if it'll be a waste of time/money. I'm not really thinking about any safeties, since my current HS doesn't suck THAT much...</p>

<p>So anyway, be nice but honest :)</p>

2

<p>In my opinion (don't trust me!), you seem sooo perfect I could swear you're lying:).
How could you possibly have time for all that?</p>

<p>Anyway, In answer to your question I think you have a very good chance.</p>

<p>Question: are you applying for FA? If so about how much?</p>

3

<p>As my self confidence and sense of purpose in life recede... :D</p>

<p>You have nice stats. I am sure you will be able to shine clearly through your essays, due your natural talent in the various forms of expression.</p>

4

<p>If you were able to get into Lawrenceville, then you have a chance at these other schools providing that you keep up your grades and interests. As you learned last year, they have more qualified candidates than they have positions for those candidates. Now that you are a more experienced applicant, perhaps luck will be with you! I hope things go your way this time.</p>

5

<p>I was looking over your stats again. Did you ever consider Choate? They are supposed to be very strong in the arts. If you are interested in Thacher, I think it would be wise to go out and visit the school. Boarding is a home away from home, so the school environment (beyond academics) is very important. I'm glad you realize that the schools you are interested in are reaches for almost everyone. If you decide that you really want the boarding school experience, then consider some of the many wonderful schools out there that provide an outstanding boarding experience and high-quality academics. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Thanks all for your input...much appreciated :)</p>

<p>I think that the application experience will definitely be a plus this year, since Andover also happened to be my first interview and I didn't know the whole...flow of things.</p>

<p>About FA, however, I'm not sure if I should apply. I'm from upper-middle class and there's also been a recent increase in income in my household. However, there are a lot of related costs with boarding school, and it's basically like college tuition, and I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay that much. I'm interested in the learning/living environment that they seem to have there, but I have to be realistic about money, esp. since I do have a sibling as well. If these boarding schools are truly need-blind, I don't see it playing a role, but I suppose most schools would eventually consider financial aid and their resources, wouldn't they? If I'm not wrong, SPS does have some merit scholarships, but I'm assuming they'll be difficult to qualify for.</p>

<p>Burb Parent, I've requested a viewbook/info from Choate...I do know it has some summer arts programs, but I didn't know they were known for being strong in the arts. I think that's a great opportunity to look at, thanks!</p>

7

<p>There's another thread on this, but bottom line, why would a bs give an upper middle class kid financial aid? Either your family values the school enough to pay the price or it doesn't.</p>

<p>To be honest, there are outstanding Asian candidates with 99 SSATs lined up to pay full freight for top preps. They could probably fill every class 10X with these applicants alone.</p>

8

<p>Take a look at previous posts on financial aid. If my memory is correct, there is a link to an application on the Hotchkiss website that will calculate what you might receive in aid, if anything. </p>

<p>I am far from an expert in this area. However, I believe that you have to be at the very top of an applicant pool to be offered a merit scholarship. You have to offer the school something they want, that they cannot find in their regular applicant pool. You might want to investigate schools that offer merit scholarships, but you need to find schools that would put you at the top of their applicant pool. What I am trying to say is it is unlikely that you are at the top of St. Paul's pool, even with your very impressive background. However, there may be schools that would place you at the top. </p>

<p>For some students, boarding school is a life-changing experience. You can find a great boarding experience from many schools, not just the best known schools. Many of the lesser known schools routinely send the top 10 - 30 % of their graduates to top colleges.</p>

9

<p>I am sort of with Suze on this. The schools you are applying to are easily among the best in the world and in their own right life changing experiences. If I had the choice of sending my daughter to St. Paul's or Harvard but not both it would be a no brainer--St. Paul's by a mile.</p>

<p>By the way, if I were choosing merit scholars for a place like Exxeter or St. Paul's I would look for kids that radiate intelligence and passion. Kids who can read two or three languages and have actually read some books other than the mind numbing stuff ladled out out highschool. Where is the evidence that you have done any of that? </p>

<p>Nice but honest--here we have another high scoring kid with good EC's who is sufficient in the know to recognize a good school when she sees it but evinces no particular passion for St. Paul's or Exeter . Why would they let you in if you're not even prepared to pay your fair share as determined by their FA process. Forget it.</p>