<p>Got to pull out my old 2010 ISEE/SSAT books from the old shed ;]
Yeah, I’m thinking of doing my applications in about December–aside from testing and interviews. That’s when all my grades will be rolling in and a few of my film contest entries will be judged by then. (That’s my hook) I’m also hoping that I’ll have a few more academic additions then. Also I’ll be more involved in clubs. I’m aiming to make this year kind of my stellar year, but only time will tell…
So yep. Trying to paint an accurate picture for the AOs. Brushing up on essay skills-- just about my second favorite part of the process. Other than interviews. (MY TIME TO SHINE!)
In the meantime, my CC post count will be going higher and higher…</p>
<p>When are y’all doing your interviews and campus tours? I don’t know exactly when is good. Thinking about first week in October, but is that too early, late…?
And for the SSAT, would it be good to take the October one (I just started studying), or because this is my first time taking it, wait until November and hope I do well? I’m worried because if I don’t do as well as I would like to in November, that leaves me only with the December date, correct?</p>
<p>I’m probably doing interviews during early December, which is when I will have finished my apps and SSATS (October, November-- but I think I’m going to do just fine on them based off of my past scores)
And starting now gives you PLENTY of time to study. Ha, last time I had about 3 days to “study.” worked my freaking tail off! [:
I would take the SSATS twice even if you do well the first time. This is so you don’t have to send your first ones to the school. I’m not saying it will be a practice one, but the first one will give you a general feel for the testing. It’s definitely not hard, but possibly a little tiring. (Well coming from me). And the reasons I’ve chosen my interviews/tours to be in December or so is because I really want it to be a personalized experience-- interviewers might ask about your hobbies and stuff.</p>
<p>Which schools posted their essays?</p>
<p>My Andover interview is already done. The campus is huge! ( 500 acres I think) I can’t wait for too see Exeters. I’ve never been there. Also, can we start our applications now? (essays)</p>
<p>Idk yet, but I think on gateway to prep it’s there under essays. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten to that stage because it’s after payment. And I can’t do that yet because I’ve kinda not really told my parents yet… I mean I’ve mentioned it a few times but not really said I was serious about it. #procrastinatorproblems…</p>
<p>Andover’s essays are on gateway? I don’t see them there… maybe they just came out</p>
<p>Whoaaa @PrepQWill You’re an early bird! xD
I would do alumni interviews but I want my parents to see the campus, so I shall patiently wait to do my interview. Also, I want a tour. That’s the best part.
And yes, I think SOME of the essays are up. Especially on the non-HADES schools I’ve checked out.
And @Silverstag, I think so because it’s one of the steps listed but you have to complete the first two parts.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, that reminds me, should we wait further into the school year to ask for our teacher’s recommendations?</p>
<p>@space I want to perfect my applications hahaha</p>
<p>hey 2013ers! some advice from someone who’s been through the application process twice: start your essays now if they’re available on gateway. You’ll be really happy you did in november.</p>
<p>im going to andover next year as a new lower. PM me if you have any questions about the application process</p>
<p>Last year, I made the mistake of interviewing in September, only a week after school started. I thought it was smart to start early and get them out of the way, but I had barely started school! By November, my interests had almost completely shifted, and I had a different feel about my favorite classes, had read more books, etc. I plan on interviewing in November/December. Although it was nice seeing the campuses while it was still warm-ish out, I regret doing them so early.</p>
<p>As for SSATs, I took them in December last year and got a 92%. Although it was risky, if I had done absolutely terribly, I could have always retaken them in January (I believe most schools accept January SSATs.) That gave me more time to study. I took it bit by bit, learning around 40 vocabulary words per week, and taking a few hours every weekend to go through the study books and do math problems, prep for the verbal section, practice writing timed essays, etc. The slow and steady method worked really well for me, and I plan on doing it again this year, and hopefully scoring around the same range, or maybe even higher.</p>
<p>As far as essays, last year I started drafting almost as soon as the topics came out. I would write ideas, notes, etc. every time I had the chance, and by the end of November, the first drafts had pretty much written themselves. Then what I did was every few days, I would read through the essays and make edits. I think a common mistake people make is to do the essays all in one sitting. Although you get it over with, sometimes wording you think is great might actually seem overly flowery, or things like that. The best thing to do is leave it and come back a little while later. Over winter break, I finalized my essays, had my parents read through them and give me notes, etc.</p>
<p>My best advice to applicants is to start early, then take the whole process bit by bit. If you try to complete the whole application AND study for the SSAT in two weeks, or even a month, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.</p>
<p>That is exactly how I want to do my process. Here’s my little “schedule”:</p>
<p>September-November:
By early September, I’ll schedule those interviews and finish the forms (getting them out of the way).
<b>In mid-September- Late November<b>
Start drafting essays, perfect them (Practice Makes Perfect!)
Hopefully accomplish things academically by then…
Get some multimedia prepped for l</b></b></p><b><b>
</b></b>
<p>ballerina22, keep working hard, you have just 4 months of tough work left really, and when march comes around it will all pay off
I remember this going 3 years back… and right now it seems to be happening all over again for college apps…
But anyway, all of you guys who are applying this year, I just can’t emphasize it enough… finish up strong! (That goes for me too.)</p>
<p>Thanks, Brookie. I hope this year it does pay off! I’m taking a risk by only applying to 4 selective schools - Andover, Deerfield, Middlesex and Blair. However, those were the 4 schools that I absolutely fell in love with. The other schools I applied to last year, I liked, but couldn’t really see myself there. I know I should have a “safety” school, but I can only apply to a certain amount and I want to stick with ones that I truly love.</p>
<p>On a different note, I was just notified that I am officially a member of a really selective youth dance ensemble!!! I auditioned last weekend, and found out about my acceptance today. I will be dancing 6 days per week, plus performances. I will be very busy indeed, but that’s okay, because dancing is what I love to do. Plus, this ensemble is one of the most selective youth dance groups in the state - it is even reviewed by newspapers! I can’t wait!</p>
<p>I just sat down and started looking at the essays, and decided to brainstorm for the Blair essay, and I finished it! I went against my own advice of taking it slowly and just wrote it. I proofread it, and will continue to do so, but it is quite good, if I may say so myself! Much more creative and risky than last year, but I think that’s good. It should set me apart from other applicants!</p>
<p>That’s awesome ballerina22, I haven’ t even started yet! I guess I’ll have to start looking at essays and stuff in October because of preliminary exams, internship and sports. Gah! I’m soooo busy this semester I’m questioning if I can fit it all in. I’m a little stressed cuz I just had my first day of school, hope you guys are having fun. When do you all start school again?</p>
<p>I looked through the Concord application- only requires one essay, so I’m not very worried about it.
I start school the 27th. I’m getting my schedule tomorrow!! I suppose it’s pretty weird to be excited about your classes, but that’s why I’m applying to boarding school, ain’t it?</p>
<p>I got my schedule, too. I go back on the 7th.</p>
<p>I’m pretty satisfied with my classes, except for my English teacher. I got the worst one! Luckily, my dad works at my school, so he’s going to try to pull a few strings. Normally I wouldn’t do this, but English is my favorite subject, and it would be a shame if I didn’t like my teacher.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my best friend is in almost all of my classes, which means that I’m going to have to work extra hard to stay focused. I’ll just have to remember that boarding school is worth more than goofing off in class!</p>
<p>I know the problem. I had a friend in the two subjects that are most difficult for me, so it became even harder. In the end we sort of waned off, because I wanted to work and she wanted to chat!
Public school problems.</p>
<p>Haha I actually go to private school, but still. I talked to my friend and explained the situation, and she and I agreed to save our goofing off for outside of class.</p>
<p>On another note, I found a great resource for SSAT vocab:</p>
<p>[Full</a> Ssat vocabulary list flashcards | Quizlet](<a href=“http://quizlet.com/109244/full-ssat-vocabulary-list-flash-cards/]Full”>http://quizlet.com/109244/full-ssat-vocabulary-list-flash-cards/)</p>
<p>I used this list last year, but it didn’t work out too well, because I would just make flash cards from this list around 30 words at a time. Once I learned them, I would add more. But eventually, it got to an overwhelming number. The best way to study these is to click on “Test.” It generates 20 question long quizzes, and although you score badly at first, it’s a great way to learn the words. Fill out the quiz to the best of your ability, and click “check answers.” Even if you got the word right, what I do is say out loud the word and the correct definition. Do this for around a half hour every day. The words and their definitions quickly begin to stick.</p>
<p>I also just ordered the Princeton Review book for the vocab/verbal section, Kaplan for math, and McGraw Hill just for extra practice tests. I also just finished the book Pride and Prejudice, and am currently halfway through Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, I’ll probably have to take a break from that, because I have yet to read Life of Pi, which is my last summer reading book. I’ll start it on Monday, which gives me around a week to finish it.</p>
<p>The best way to study for vocab is to read books. Start now, and read as many classics as you can get your hands on. GO! (Trust me, it helps. A lot.)</p>