<p>A couple of more thoughts…</p>
<p>It’s really tough to comment on another parent’s actions as reported by a child.</p>
<p>For me, that’s very different than commenting on a parent who is posting directly or a student posting about their own decisions/actions/thoughts. One thing I try (rather unsuccessfully at times!) to remember is that parents are all doing the best we know how. </p>
<p>But since you asked….</p>
<p>Re: Your mom lecturing you about how none of her friend’s “genius” children ever got accepted to a selective boarding school…
I don’t know what her point is in telling you this. Is it to discourage you from applying to BS? Or to encourage you to broaden your scope of schools?</p>
<p>The thing I’d take away is that yes, it is VERY hard to get into the most selective schools — and quite challenging to get into “second tier” schools with admit rates that aren’t in the teens.</p>
<p>And yes, I was told point blank by an AO that the Asian girl cohort is the most competitive applicant pool. Too damn many Honor Roll viola players who also play tennis. Well.</p>
<p>So, given that knowledge, be very candid about your profile…compared to other Asian girls, how do you stack up? And if you don’t like your answer and going to BS is important to you, seriously consider expanding your scope of schools.</p>
<p>Re: Your mom’s point about <95%-ile admits being large donors or connected
It’s not 100% false. It IS easier to get in if you are Full Pay (which includes some large donors but also families scrimping and saving to make it happen). Also, a percentage of these admits WILL be full pay and/or legacies. But keep in mind that legacies are also rejected/waitlisted with some frequency.</p>
<p>The key takeaway? That people get into even the most selective schools with scores lower than the 95th percentile. Of course, the higher the better, but I was told that mid to high 80s are adequate for even the most selective schools.</p>
<p>Re: Your parents tell you that “you need something special”.<br>
They’re actually right. But they are wrong that it must be a special EC. That “something special” that will make you stand out among the many other Asian female applicants may simply be you. Something that makes the admissions committee say “WE NEED RAREPARADOX AT OUR SCHOOL.”</p>
<p>As you state, you are not your “typical Asian Math Genius”…that indeed MAY be your differentiator. Is it enough? I can’t say…but for the right school, I think it might be.</p>
<p>Re: Your GS Silver Award.
I’m going to side with your Mom here. While being a lifetime scout is great (I also have one in the family), having demonstrable leadership/service is important. Of course, you have to have a genuine passion for it…so that if they ask you about your Silver Award (when you finish it), you can really speak to it.</p>
<p>Re: The SATs in 8th grade.
Your mom is not incorrect. As already noted, many bright kids take the SAT in 7th grade to qualify for one of the talent search programs. I also think it’s a good idea because compared to the SAT, the SSAT should be easier. I know it was for my daughter. </p>
<p>BTW, that daughter? A 99%er who got accepted by one HADES school and rejected by Choate. Same kid, same stats, same reccos, probably comparable interviews. My point here is that at some level it’s a crapshoot.</p>
<p>Do I think there are things you can do to enhance your chances of admission? Yes. One of them is by thinking outside the box when it comes to what schools to consider/apply to. I’m encouraged that your parents let your brother apply to Hill, because it’s not one of the New England schools that everyone seems to fixate on.</p>
<p>Here’s one thing that scares me a little: Your sharing the feeling that you’re stressed and “about to crack”. That’s no good. And won’t help you as the process continues.</p>
<p>FWIW, I’m an Asian dad.</p>
<p>This thread of mine from back when my first daughter was applying to schools may be of help: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1174214-one-family-s-bs-search-application-process-start-finish.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1174214-one-family-s-bs-search-application-process-start-finish.html</a></p>