<p>Hi, every one. I am new to CC. Took some time and read old posts. Someone mentioned here and there that some prep schools might be interesting in “recruiting” math students. I am wondering how good is good enough? What credentials you have to have to be “recruited”.</p>
<p>Thinking of applying this year. Top math student in my state. Qualified for AIME at 7th grade and had a reasonably good score. Thank you in advance for your inputs!</p>
<p>both A & E have strong math programs, in particular Exeter’s is internationally highly competitive. You will be competing for admission with many others from around the world who are interested in international titles and being coached by Feng.</p>
<p>However, the schools are not for math alone; the boarding student experience is rather unique and that should appeal to you as well, and it would be wise to communicate that to the admissions committee.</p>
<p>Being very strong in any specific area will help with admission, but no merit aid is available at either A or E; they have very generous financial aid packages for admitted students with financial need.</p>
<p>Amen to that!!!</p>
<p>2prepmom, thank you for your advices. I totally agree the HS is not all about math or any other single factor. I think I am well-rounded. I think math might be my “hook”.</p>
<p>Congratulations on achieving AIME at so young an age. That’s quite impressive. I would just caution that there is something to be said for not attending the “top” math-focused school. For one, Exeter has many top achieving math students from around the world and it may be difficult to stand out among them. Sort of the big or small fish in the pond consideration. On the other hand, you may be one of the big fish in the big pond…look closely at the courses available at the BSs you are considering, and whether they will sufficiently meet your needs down the road (many of the BSs have extensive math courses that should be sufficient), and would also recommend that you meet with math department heads at various boarding schools when you are interviewing.</p>
<p>Thank you skibum4. I appreciate your inputs. Big fish or small fish is exactly one of my considerations. I do enjoy working with big fish but I know they might make me look small.</p>
<p>So, the question is, in your opinion, what schools are good fit for me? Regarding ECs, I am finalist of several events of our state swimming championship. Some other awards. like gold medal of national spanish exam, etc.</p>
<p>I know it will be my decision. I know all good BSs are very competitive and I will apply broadly. But I’d like to have some good targets in top tier. Any inputs will be appreciated.</p>
<p>Andover. We have the best prep school swimming program, a great tennis program, and we have amazing modern languages. Also, our math dept. is unreal. I used to not like math as much, but I’m slowly becoming more of a math person in the few shorts weeks I’ve been here.</p>
<p>@beprepared: I think the main thing to know is that most of top 12 or so BSs discussed on this forum, would more than adequately suit almost any student’s math/otherwise academic needs. I read somewhere where BSs are “high school on steroids”, and I think this is fairly accurate. They are more rigorous and demanding than most parents realize at the outset. (It is not uncommon to students who have matriculated to college to exclaim that BS was more demanding!) This fact is not necessarily negative, but I would say it does take a particularly academic, motivated, and independent student to thrive. But for the right student, it can be the most life changing and special time of their lives. Because of your hook, I would say some of the additional things you may need in a BS are a math/computer science curriculum that goes beyond multivariable calc and AP Comp Sci, opportunities for scientific/math research, and a well organized math team. I only have experience with one BS (Choate – which did meet all of these), but I am sure that there are quite a few more beyond PEA and PE as well. While these BSs may not officially “recruit”, I would say that your math ability is a hook that could be beneficial to you in the application process. Best wishes!!</p>
<p>@J24601J: Thank you for your inputs! Is swimming program year-round?</p>
<p>@Skibum4: I’d like to PM you, but “only member with more than 15 posts” can use that function. Can you PM me? Thanks!</p>
<p>Beprepared- skibum4 is absolutely right. You need to make sure that your potential school offers courses beyond BC Calculus and Multivariable Calculus, and that if you exhaust those, they are willing to transport you to the local university for math. Skibum can correct me, but I believe that several students in the past few years have studied at Yale, which is a short drive from Choate. My own kids never made it past A/B Calc so I don’t have personal experience with this.</p>
<p>@baystateresident. Thank you! Do you know if the Choate students to Yale for course work or research?</p>
<p>Because I have not had >15 posts, I can only read PM but can not reply/send out PM. So I will try to produce more posts.</p>
<p>BayState is right – a few Choate students do take math courses at Yale, once they have exhaused all course offerings (every year, a math course beyond Multivariable Calc is offered, usually alternating every year. Past years it is has been Real Analysis, and Game Theory). In addition, students have undertaken summer research at Yale labs (as well as other labs throughout the country) through the Science Research Program. (This program is application based and selected Juniors take a course in the Spring of junior year in research methodology, followed by summer research prior to Senior year).</p>
<p>@skibum4 & baystateresident: Seems like Choate is doing an impressive job to support science and research. Do you know if any other BSs have similar programs? Thanks!</p>