Hi CC. Lately I have not been content with the school I was accepted to. I have been sent on top schools like Exeter, and St. Paul’s since I was in fifth grade but recently suffered from severe depression in seventh and the beginning of eighth grade tanking my grades as well as my motivation some days I would stay in bed and just cry… Because of this I couldn’t apply to the schools I wanted to and had a low SSAT score. I will be attending this boarding school in NH during the fall as a Freshman and I was just wondering if anyone can give me advice on how I should go about getting ready to apply to these competitive schools?
Extra:
I am African-American Male
Will need FA
Question:
Will these schools have to see my middle school grades?
What grade should I apply in? (I was thinking tenth).
Don’t worry about applying out until you’ve been there for a little while.
Real talk: you probably won’t get in to those other schools (I say that not knowing you at all, but statistically, it’s unlikely for anyone). Do you really want to take the time and effort to apply, putting yourself through a really emotional few months and maybe setting yourself up for more disappointment?
I’ve done this three times. Last February, I decided that I would never go through a fourth because doing this time after time hurts. There are better ways to spend your time.
If you want to, then do. I just think it’s a little presumptuous to think you want to leave a school you’ve never attended. If it turns out you’re truly unhappy there, then by all means, apply out. I don’t mean to be such a downer.
I don’t get what you mean by the sentence “I have been sent to schools like Exeter and St. Paul’s since the fifth grade…” Also, I have a question. Why go to a school you will be unhappy at?
Hi Incolatus! Sorry to hear about what has been happening with secondary school goals/dreams. I would say go for it, at least you can say 'I did it and I tried". I never thought I would be accepted into a top tier school, but it worked out. If you have any questions feel free to ask, after my experience applying to schools I know my stuff
What is it about the school that you’re going to attend in the fall that makes you unhappy about it? Something specific that you don’t like about it, or just that it’s not as prestigious as SPS, Exeter, etc?
And if you’re just starting, and want to apply this year, you won’t have many grades from this year, nor will your teachers really know you well by application time for letters of recommendation. Any new school you’re looking at will HAVE to rely on grades from your previous school. You can still apply of course, and try to get good grades first trimester and get to know your teachers, but it will be a bit difficult and any school WILL look at previous grades. How about sports or arts? All that can help as well, And you should start studying over the summer for SSATs, if you’re serious about this. If your previous record is spotty, it’s also probably better to apply as a repeat 9th grader. Anyway, it’s not that it’s impossible, it’s just that it will take a lot of work. Even if you decide to try, I hope you at least go into your new school with an open mind and TRY to love it. It will help you do better, even if you end up transferring-- and you might even decide to stay?!
The fact that it doesn’t have honors classes and very few AP’s I want to be in a place that has weighted classes and will prepare me well for college. Example: Canterbury School and Berkshire School.
Are you planning on attending the school you were accepted to? If you don’t like it, why are you going? Also, if you are choosing to go, it may be hard to like it with a negative attitude and just wanting to transfer. Kind of like a self fulfilling prophesy. Also, how is your depression, is it under control right now, do you see doctors and working on treatment?
Catinthehat579 this school is better than anything in my area but personally it is not good enough for me. I am willing to give this school love and I already have love to give to it. I just really want to transfer in like the 10th Grade. My depression is a lot better now I don’t see doctors or get any treatment. This is because my parents have the false idea that kids can’t get depressed… (Sorry for my brevity this was like 13 minutes before school).
Okay… so- you’re an African American male ( who is also Italian according to another thread ) who needs FA. I take it that your transcript is spotty due to an unfortunate bout of depression ( glad you’re doing better ) and the school that you’ll be attending next fall isn’t your first choice. How am I doing so far?
I like that you’re ambitious and want to have more academic rigor in your life but why not see if you can handle what’s in front of you first? As far as I can tell- you’re way ahead of yourself and you need to slowdown a little bit. Give the school that saw something in you a chance instead of giving all your energy to other schools or schools that already took a pass .
Switching schools is extremely difficult for a student needing FA. Sure- you can try but it’s a really tough climb because the competition ( for FA ) is intense. You’ll be competing against kids with perfect transcripts/ stats. I suggest you focus on the here and now and make next year at NH School the best year you have ever had .
If you still want to apply to other schools do so after you can show that you have a solid year of BS under your belt.
Right now… your sole focus should be on the opportunity before you…
Sorry I did not reply eariler I have been very busy :(. About me being Italian that was a disguise just in case anyone from my school happened to be on CC.
