Boarding Schools

Kate13 · 11-07-2007, 08:50 PM

Hi
I'm thirteen years old
I'm looking to apply to boarding school either this year or next year
I have three As (Government, French and English), two Bs (Science and Mandarin)...
and one D (Algebra:68)
I am taking Mandarin in the upper school with the high schoolers, I got special permission to do so because languages are my forte. I was told I aced my interviews at all the schools but Loomis (I was really sick that day)
My math average is pathetic, so that's dragging me down a lot. I play field hockey in middle school and on JV, and tennis in and outside of school. I sail competetively in the summer as well.
I volunteer at the elderly center and at Save the Children.
Deerfield is my top choice, though I know that is an enourmous stretch.
Also, Choate, St. George's, Taft, SPS, Suffield, and Exeter (absolutely crazy stretch, I know)
I think I can pull my math grade up though, to a B- by the end of the semester.
Do I have a shot??

Burb Parent · 11-07-2007, 09:06 PM

I'm glad you realize that you need to pull up your math average. You might consider adding perhaps 2 more schools that are not among the most competitive. Choate, Taft, SPS and Exeter are reaches for almost everyone. St. George's seems to be joining that league. If you pull up your math grade, you have chances. They are reaches; it is hard to predict. Good luck!

NeLLyRaE · 11-15-2007, 11:24 PM

i;m going to be honest" your not going to get into schools like Exeter with a D in math. they are very big at math. go to your teacher, beg for extra credit and get your garde up to at least a B!!!!!

but everything else about you seems great so i think you've got a pretty good chance!

sbergman · 11-16-2007, 12:20 AM

Kate13, Give St. Andrew's-Sewanee a look (www.sasweb.org). They offer Mandarin and have a great tennis team. You're D won't ruin your chances there and if you need math tutoring it's available on-site and won't raise eyebrows among your classmates. There's no field hockey but they have a championship winning polocrosse team (lacrosse on horseback, how cool is that?). Also, if you exhaust their language offerings you can take college language classes at the University of the South (next door) for free and get college credit.

Inquiring mind · 11-16-2007, 04:34 PM

Yes, you should look beyond the list you have given, especially if that D in algebra is a grade that will be on your transcript. It is a red flag that you may not be able to handle the math/science work at the top schools and so those may not be the schools for you. Unfortunately, your situation is different than the other post about a C in an elective. There are lots of other good schools with more flexible requirements where you might be better off. Have you taken the SSAT?

Kate13 · 12-02-2007, 11:27 PM

No, I haven't yet, I take it this Saturday. I'm completely terrified. But I've pulled my math average up to a C, and hopefully I'll end up with a B. Oh, and I am in advanced math, so maybe that's something. And thanks a lot, guys.

crickett2324 · 12-03-2007, 06:51 PM

Suffield was so-so for us. If you have any questions you can ask me. I went on my interview/tour but decided not to apply. But who knows? It could be perfect for you?

crickett2324 · 12-03-2007, 06:53 PM

Oh. Haha. And Janelle.
Teachers WILL NOT give out extra-credit, so we should all exclude that as the only option.
I tried. I did. I got shut-down...majorly.
*sigh* Dang Personal Finance....

NeLLyRaE · 12-03-2007, 07:30 PM

oh, i'm sorry. But Kate, i think you still have a chance. You've got some really great things going for you (especially the language) If you could get a B in that class it would certainly help, but i think you still have a great chance.

crickett2324 · 12-03-2007, 07:47 PM

I think you have a good chance, too.

NeLLyRaE · 12-03-2007, 08:09 PM

crickett, if you're still on the coputer you should get on aim, cuz i'm on!

Kate13 · 12-03-2007, 09:35 PM

Okay I don't know why I wrote Suffield in my original post, I didn't mean to. I'm not applying there. And thanks a lot guys for all the feedback.

sarah12 · 12-03-2007, 09:39 PM

Good Luck! You have a great chance, just try to raise your math grade. Like most people have already said, you might want to consider adding another school which is not as competitive. I think every school you listed in your first post are reaches for most people. BTW - I visited Deerfield, and I loved it. It's officially my first choice too.

Kate13 · 12-19-2007, 06:46 PM

SSATs:
Verbal: 800 out of 800 (99th Percentile, 99th Nationally)
Math: 710 out of 800 (74th Percentile, 97th Nationally)
Reading: 765 out of 800 (94th Percentile, 97 Nationally)

I'm pleased, except with the math. Egh. But happy, especially about the verbal. Does this change things? For good or bad? How much do the SSATs affect the decisions of the schools? Does anyone know?
Thanks again!

McskittlZ10 · 12-19-2007, 06:59 PM

First of all, holy *****!!!!

Your verbal score is unbelievable. You should be extremly proud of that. It will defintely cover up a bit of the iffy math. 74% is not a bad score so don't get down on yourself for that. What was the overall score?