<p>I’m in 8th grade, applying for 9th grade at a boarding school. I’m really nervous because I don’t know if I can make it to the schools or not. I’m just starting the application process, so I haven’t taken the SSAT or had my interview yet. Can someone please tell me if I have any hope or not with top schools, and what schools I should apply to?</p>
<p>I have straight A’s
I’m taking accelerated math and science
I skipped a grade</p>
<p>I founded/ am the chief editor of our school newspaper
I was state champion gymnast - I did gymnastics for 7 years (then I quit last year – should I mention this??)
I’ve been playing piano for 7 years - I’ve gotten Outstanding Performer at the district level every year, but I only got honorable mention at the state level last year.
I’ve been dancing for 9 years
I’m doing cheerleading for my school’s basketball team this year
I was in DECA last year in 7th grade, I got 3rd in the regional competition. I think I was one of the youngest people to compete.
I’m on the Academic Team at my school, but I don’t really go to competitions and I’m not that good at it.
I play baritone (euphonium) in my school band, and it’s kind of an unusual instrument, especially for an Asian girl (the typical ones would be violin, flute, clarinet)</p>
<p>I don’t really have much community service because I don’t go to church (will this affect me a lot?)
I really like to write and I think I’m pretty good at it. In my spare time, I’ve been working on a book, and I also write a lot of poetry on a blog. I really want to develop my writing skills.
I’m very interested in philosophy and I’m trying to start up a philosophy club at my school.</p>
I did too (I’ll give you a few tips on this, as it helped me… later).</p>
<p>First, stop doubting yourself. There is nothing in your profile which would make you a turndown. You have a 20% chance of getting in, and an 80% chance of being rejected… We all do. </p>
<p>You have as good a chance as anybody else. Last year Andover had 75% of the Applicant class with academic admissibility, however only 16.6% got in. </p>
<p>As for the grade skipping? Be very frank with your interviewer about this, you are a whole year younger at a very formative time in life. Chances are he/she may suggest you abstain from applying to the next grade, and ask you to repeat. It is your choice here. I, by the time I got to HS, got used to the fact that people are older than me, generally. However, repeating WILL help you (and would make it a lot easier for you to get in also).</p>
<p>All right…just want to point out that not having much community service because you don’t go to church is a pretty lame excuse that you shouldn’t mention in interviews. You don’t have to go to church to have community service.</p>
<p>Really though, you have good stats. Good grades, good extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, and I know that not going to church is a really lame excuse, hj0519. My school did have a community service club last year, but it was on the same day as DECA and I thought it would be better just to excel in one club instead of juggling two. </p>
<p>Do you have any tips for what I could do for community service this year? I am going to participate in the community service club this year; I am also going to join a math club where you tutor younger kids for free. I also may post an ad in our neighborhood newsletter and tutor little kids for free. Does that seem okay?</p>
<p>We attend a congregational church which is part of the UCC (United Congregational Church) conference. Our youth group is open to everyone and the leaders encourage kids to bring their friends. My son got great community service through this group, including week-long work trips to Grenada and Biloxi, MS. Check your local UCC church.</p>