Questions from an applicant for 2016-2017 school year

Prep School Admissions
1

Hi everyone, This is my first discussion posted here. Ive read a lot of discussions and got many valuable information about boarding schools so i decided to post some of my questions in cc.

I am a freshman who decided to go to a selective boarding school next year. Ive narrowed my schools based on the locations and reputations of the schools. They are The Hill School, Lawrenceville, Choate, and PAA. I have visited the Hill School last week and the interview, in my opinion, went pretty fair.

My Choate interview ( on campus ) is coming soon and Im worried… If you guys already had an interview at Choate previously, what kind of questions do they answer? At Hill, my interviewer asked some interesting questions, like “If you could have a dinner with three famous people, who would they be?”

And I know Im applying to only few schools. If you could recommend any other boarding school around the east coast, middle&large student body, high reputation, strong in visual art and math, where would it be?

And I know there are many South Koreans applying to these schools. Will my nationality affect the chance of my acceptance?

I have received 89% on SSAT, and my grades are pretty good… (95 average). Some ecs i have are community service, sports, and an instrument but they aren’t as strong as other applicants…

Also, im an international student but I’ve stayed here for 4 years and my english is as good as my friends. Do i still need to take TOEFL?

And i heard you have to take a standardized test for PAA. What exactly is it?

Thank you for reading this and good luck to you all during this application process!

2

Yes, the schools have certain maximum number per country.

Our AO asked why do you want to come to Choate?

You should check with each school. Every school may have a different policy.

If you are happy to stay at the current school, it is okay to apply to few schools.
If not, I would suggest applying to several schools with higher acceptance rates (>30%.) Look for schools mentioned as “Gems” or Hidden Gems, etc.

Berkshire, NMH School, Mercersburg Academy, Peddie, Suffield, Tabor come to mind. There are a lot more schools you can consider.
You do not have a lot of time to schedule additional interviews and request reference letters.
Do submit application early, do not wait until last minute.

3

All the admission reps, including Choate asked BOTH my son and daughter: 1) What did you do last Summer? 2) Why “x” school? And 3) What are you reading?

4

Maybe look at Tabor, Loomis, Episcopal, NMH and Taft if you want to add a few medium to large schools to your list.

5

Thank your for your responses. I know Choate has a rigorous academics and they just opened their science lab and they also have a great performing arts center. What’s other things those are unique to Choate?

6

Choate is also well known for their writing program/English department, their theater program, their many study abroad programs, and innovation, in general.

7

Peddie is known for strong arts, sciences, and math-- you should consider applying there!!