How do i make myself stand out?!

2prepMom
Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:00:23 +0000

Part 1: The schools you list are very competitive, and you will be competing with very strong eight graders (or 7th graders for Groton). Why do you want to apply so soon, if I am understanding correctly that you will be applying next fall as a 6th grader? Add some less competitive but still excellent schools (search for the “hidden gems thread” in prep school admissions.

Part 2: You are really on to something about standing out. Think about what makes you different from other applicants. Is it your home location? A passionate interest like math or history? Take up an unusual instrument (oboe or bassoon are good). Start a volunteer club in your community, like collecting coats or books or used cell phones for a charity that accepts them, and see how many you can get together with your friends to give to the charity. If you like sports, see if you can get involved in lacrosse, water polo, field hockey or crew (sports few middle schoolers take that prep schools need). For academics, look for opportunities for enrichment, maybe like online courses (EPGY, CTY or the like), clubs like MathCounts, or science olympiad.