<p>I’m a freshman and I was hopping to apply to go to Hotchkiss my Junior year (2011-2012). I will be using financial aid. I live in Louisiana and make great grades in my honors classes. I was hoping for some recommendations from people who go to the school on what I should do in the next year to increase my chances of getting in. I’m already studying for the SST and planing to do some community service this summer. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some pointers.</p>
<p>only one school? what’s SST, do you mean SAT? we need more details (what do you mean by great grades? how much FA do you need,etc) in order to give you more accurate advice</p>
<p>My son is a first year lower mid at Hotchkiss. He, like so many THS applicants, had solid grades (honor roll at a very good private day school), was not from NE or NY, garnered top SSAT’s (95%), had solid EC’s (Boy Scout, varsity sports, community service), etc. But what seemed to help him a lot, and separate him from other applicants, was, in my opinion, a story of overcoming difficulties and/or living with or in difficult circumstances. (My son broke his back, was in a body cast for 3 months, stayed out of sports for 20 months but returned to starting spots on his varsity teams. Also, I have a daughter who is severely autistic. My son has grown and matured in many ways beyond his years because of her and her constant, incredible and sometimes nearly unbearable demands on our family.)</p>
<p>If you have a tale of meeting and overcoming tough times, tell your story long and hard. In the end, the great magic act of life is facing and beating or living with the terrible blows that come your way. If you have performed this vital act of life, share it with all so they can learn about this critical step in existence, whether or not you get into Hotchkiss or some other great BS.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss looks for students with not only fantastic academic standings, but a compelling story as well. Like toombs said, a unique story or personal achievement that would set you apart from other highly qualified students is key. A lot of the people that apply will all have outstanding grades, varsity sports and the like. It is just how you present yourself and the story you tell about your life that will make you shine in front of your admissions officer at interview time. Also, a specific academic interest, not broad like math or english, but something more specific that shows the school that you have a true intellectual quality about you will help. I applied for Hotchkiss for this coming year as a new 10th grader. I had a very specific interest in Middle Eastern Affairs and am studying Arabic as well. This showed to the school that I was truly passionate about the Middle East and had a new insight to offer the student body. Now, don’t go out and randomly pick up some different and under-represented topic to wow the school with, but rather find something that truly resinates with you and that you appreciate. The school can tell if you are just trying to impress them or if you actually care deeply and want to share your learnings or experiences with others at Hotchkiss. Also, sports are a huge part of the school and they look out for ‘student athletes.’ They want students who’s main priority is academics and individuality but can also be a star on the playing field. You don’t need to be varsity, though it helps, but just show dedication and commitment to a sport. They don’t want students who are going to be star athletes if they can’t keep up with their schoolwork. As for community service, the more you do, the more it shows. You don’t need to work with every organization and fill up your EC’s with the 20 different organizations or places that you helped out in. All you need is to show consistency with maybe 2 or 3 different services. I do not know anything really about Hotchkiss’s FA and therefore can’t say much, sorry! After applying to Hotchkiss and going through the entire process, I have learned that the school really wants dedication, individuality, and commitment. Get those three down, write outstanding essays and get high grades, you won’t even have to worry about getting in. Just be yourself and not something made up, they can tell.</p>
<p>In response to exoveerotch:
I’m also applying to Deerfield, Phillips Andover, and the Asheville School. I am applying for full financial aid. My grades are mostly all As with a B here and there. I am in the top twenty in my grade. I apologize for my typo I meant SSAT. </p>
<p>To toombs and squash:
What time would you say is the best to go for the tour and interview? My family and I were discussing going this summer, but when I talked to someone at admissions they said that sometime in the fall is best. What is your opinion on this?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help.</p>
<p>If Hotchkiss is the school that you wish to attend, my view is that you should visit the school soon and often. The more contact, the better. Go to summer camps there. Smear you name and face all over the school. Let them know you, remember you, love you.</p>
<p>Now if your choices for visit are only summer or fall, I agree with admissions: go in the fall. One, it is always good to agree with admissions. Two, you want to see the school in operation, not in silhouette. During the fall, the school is in full bloom. In the summer, it is just a shadow of itself. Three, the campus and northwestern CT are gorgeous in the fall.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your help toombs. I just have one… well two more questions. Will one or two Bs on my report card make or break my chances? and Does admissions look at all of your report cards or just the most recent?
Once again thank you for all of your help.</p>
<p>kll- I visited last summer just to see the school in general. I did this with all the schools i was looking at and just by walking around the campus, cut 2 schools off my list. Lakeville is beautiful in the summer so definitely visit before your interview. As for the interview, I went in the dead of winter during a snow storm. Now seeing as how I love the snow, this wasn’t an issue for me and you really just get a different feel for the school. For instance, besides the kids who were outside having snowball fights, everyone was inside the main building all huddled up together and really comfortable with the other students. I really liked this quality about the school. I have never seen the campus in fall nor do I know what it feels like but I did visit some nearby schools in the fall and it is truly spectacular. I would not do an interview in the summer for the next academic year (i didn’t even know you could do that) so definitely fall or winter if your are brave!!</p>
<p>kll4059, a few B’s should not kill your app, especially if you attend a competitive private day school or an excellent public school. Still, I think that you need to be on honor roll or at or near the top of your class, unless you have some extraordinary hooks.</p>
<p>As for grades, admissions routinely ask for grades from past years. As I recall, some schools (and maybe even THS) asked for grades from my son for his then current year and each of his prior three years. </p>
<p>Note: I think that it helps on the margin that you are from Louisiana. About half or more of each class now at Hotchkiss are from three states (CT, NY and, depending on the class, either NJ or MA). I know that Hotchkiss prides itself on having students from almost every state and from numerous foreign countries.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the help Squash and toombs!
I was just thinking, while working on scheduling for my sophomore year, would another foreign language (Spanish) look better to admissions then say a computer class(web design)? Considering what I’m specifically interested is foreign relations.</p>
<p>definitely!!! They love to see students who are interested in foreign relations doing everything possible to immerse themselves into different cultures and languages! Go after your passions and make it evident that you are interested in foreign affairs. If this is your “calling”, not to say Hotchkiss isn’t great for language and international/ foreign affairs, but have you considered looking at schools like Choate, Andover or Deerfield that have absolutely superb international affairs courses and language programs? You may not want to limit yourself to just one school…just a thought.</p>
<p>If anyone else has an opinion please post them. Thanks!</p>
<p>Would knowing sign language boost your app?</p>
<p>
I’m not sure if sign language would “boost your app.” It might make you seem more “interesting” or “unusual,” but I seriously doubt it would help that much. If you’re considering learning sign language just to “boost your app;” don’t. An admission officer told my friend,“We can tell when kids are playing the ‘admissions game.’ We don’t let them in.”</p>
<p>hi!!! im also applying for hothckiss this year! i believe that im excellent but im still freak out!!! can i talk to you? could u plz talk about ur experience applying??? im so appreciate!</p>