Andover, Exeter and Lawrenceville are steep climbs.
Why do you want to go there? Need a really good answer that’s unique for each school. If you’re not specific, your chances are microscopic.
What are you great at? Is it debate? Something else? You need to lean in on what would make accretive to each school’s community.
What grade are you going for? Are you applying for 10th or are you willing to consider reclassing for 9th. Bigger entry point.
If you’re not super-confident about your tests, apply to some test-optional schools that are also great. Milton comes to mind, but do a search and see what others may be interesting to you. In any case a broad list is a better strategy because all of these independent boarding schools see a ton of applications. Since it’s a self-selecting pool, those applicants are all great.
Do you have a good Local Public School option? Some would argue that you’re better off being a star there than middle or lower third at a GLADCHEMMS.
Study up on all of these places and go to as many online and local events as possible. It matters and will allow you to give a more compelling case as to why you’re a good fit for their school.
Exeter: So many courses; has courses that Focuses on what I want to be when I grow up; Has Harness; Big community
Lawrenceville: Harkness!; lovely campus; I can envision myself there (I don’t know why); Larger community; Diverse
I have been told I’m pretty good at Dance; I mean I compare myself to others (not good for me) and I am in an environment where everybody is better than me (their good at everything). When I compete though I may be one of the top.
I am applying to 9th grade. I am the youngest in my grade right now.
I will improve my test scores. I spend a lot of time prepping and I will continue to do so. I will look into some of those schools though. I also am applying to a lot more but I didn’t want to add them as they take up too much space. I am applying to 6-7 schools.
I live in an area where the schools are HORRIBLE so I go to a private school. I would say the private day schools are very good here. They just don’t have what I want and feel I need to thrive. Harkness for an example is something the schools don’t have. Additionally I am looking for a diverse community and a large student body. These are things the Day schools don’t offer. I feel that the point of going to these schools is to get better . I don’t want to be the star, I want to work my way up to be something greater.
I will be sure to to all the events I can!
Thank you so much for the tips! I really appreciate you!
If you want to continue with debate, you may want to consider Hotchkiss, which has a very strong history of success with it, and devotes considerable resources, etc. However, Hotchkiss, like most boarding schools, generally prefers the SSAT over the ISEE, which is more for private day schools.
I will look into it. It is one of the schools I didn’t mention. If I even get accepted to a school and it doesn’t have it, I will start one if possible. Also do you know if I can take both?
Hotchkiss says applicants for 9th or 10th grade may take either the SSAT or ISEE. Looks like Andover does the same. So, historically it has been the SSAT, but now it looks like they will take either. You should check for each school to which you may apply.
. I don’t want to be the star, I want to work my way up to be something greater.