High achieving student: All “A”s in First Marking Period 2023-24
Consistently strong results: A and B+ grades in 6th and 7th grades
Activities: Choir/chorus (2+ years); Participated in a choir competition with choir class in Allentown, PA
Exceeded 10-hour minimum requirement for school community project (25+ hours)–activities included Green Team, canned food drives; clothing donations; and library work
Clubs and Volunteer Work
Environmental “Green Team” member (2+ years). Assisted with gathering and donating clothing for the underprivileged, trash pickup in and around the school premises, planting vegetables in the school’s garden.
Volunteered weekly at a local library in Bernardsville during the school year. Helped categorize and arrange books/periodicals with middle and high school students.
Volunteers at St. John on The Mountain Episcopal Church (youth group); assists in hosting coffee hours, Sunday school, pancake receptions, and holiday pageants.
Leadership role as “Mary” in church holiday pageant; assist younger children with their lines and dress rehearsals.
Organized (with youth group) annual church holiday “Secret Santa” for underprivileged families; shopped for and wrapped winter clothing, stuffed animals, underwear, pajamas, board games and toiletries.
Board Director-- Student Council
Ran For 2023-24 Student Body President
Peer Leadership (8th grade)
Athletics/Extracurriculars
Basketball (7th and 8th grade). Strong 3-point shooter.
Dance Street Hip/Hop at GottaDance; Lead dancer in June 2023 7th grade recital
Dancing for 5+ years (various genres: ballet, tap, freestyle, hip-hop)
Soccer: Goalkeeper for 8th-grade soccer goalie of girls’ middle school team
Summer Programs
Attended the 2-week Peddie Summer Academy (academic and extra-curricular program) to experience boarding school
Won “Best Dancer” in Peddie Summer Camp Competition (2023)
Attended “Harbor Hills Day Camp” (9 years); various informal leadership positions with elementary students; currently in leadership training for the 2024 summer session
Other Programs
Attended a formal grief group program (“Good Grief”)in Morristown, NJ after the sudden death of my father in 2019. (Attended 2+ years); Leader of the intermediate peer group.
Personal
Self-taught contortionist and gymnast
Spanish and Portuguese–conversational
Played basketball for 3+ years
Played tennis for 2+ years
Danced for 5+ years (jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet)
Strong 3-pointer in basketball
Strong goalkeeper in soccer; team player
Saved 40+ goals in soccer (in Fall 2023 season)
Exhibited strength and developed resilience after losing my father at the age of 9 (3rd grade) that’s a sob story lmao
But, I didn’t do too well on my ssat : 55th percentile (67 verbal, 67 quantitative and 26 reading comp)
My essays are really good. They basically explain my trauma, living in a predominately white neighborhood as a black girl, and how my family and I strive for success.
All my interviews were great, especially Loomis, but Lawrenceville idk bc it was my first.
You will hopefully get into one of these schools. Peddie is your best bet. Make sure you talk about your experiences attending the summer camp and what you liked about it.
Oh, I would like to add that I am applying for my freshman year and I am also applying to St. Andrews school (DE number 1!)
Choate
Blair Academy
I got 3 letters from Blair, SAS, and Loomis on how impresssive my interview was etc.
My interviewer (SAS) and I have a really strong relationship and we send letters to each other frequently. I wrote some of my essays about my grandpa being a UN Diplomat in the 60’s and used to grow up in a small fishing village in Nigeria. He basically went from nothing to running for senate, and he inspires me.
My interests in astronomy and STEM are like a part of my identity too.
I know you guys are not admissions officers or anything, but i would like a different perspective on my application to see if I am a strong enough applicant.
(I did test optional on some schools so I think I am good)
Okay, you defintely seem like an amazing candidate, and I know that SAS does not have a large number of Nigerians so I think you should be fine, waitlist at the very least. The only thing is your test score which is on the lower end ngl
True. SAS is test-optional, but they said they recommend I send my test scores. I tried to convince my mom to not send them but did anyway; I know that this is a holistic review but do you think that the standardized test plays a significant role in my admissions decisions? I’m not saying this for like just SAS I’m talking about all of the schools.
SSAT scores play a role in admissions. I’m not sure exactly how much they do; for example, when I applied last year, I was waitlisted by some schools. When I asked about the reason, they explained that my SSAT score was a bit low. They suggested that if I had improved it, I would most likely have been accepted.
What percentile is it? I’m not sure just based off the numbers. But for Andover, Milton, and some other schools I sent in a 84 and a 89 percentile score and they all said it wad a bit low and try to go for a 90+.
for 8th grade girls, a 2031 is a 55th percentile, but i did better in the math and verbal sections.
Quantitative- 713
Verbal-698
Reading comp.- 620
I emailed my interviewers if the school i submitted my scores to and explained why i had the score that i had (wasn’t a good test taker) but i think (hope) that my recommendations, grades, and personality blurs it out :)))
I’m not to sure about the SSAT percentiles and what percentile they cut off on (I can ask one of my friends at Andover about it if you want but I’m not sure if she can fully tell me/knows about it for sure).
Thats awesome to have a good relationship with your interviewers!
I’m reapplying to the schools, but currently I’m just attending a high ranked LPS in the Boston area.
I wouldn’t worry about them that much, after all its just one part of the application. Try to keep your mind off it by reading a new book or maybe trying a new activity.
Hello!! I know that it is way past M10/A10 and I just want to say that I got into/ committed to Lawrenceville!! I am beyond proud of myself and I am feeling okay that I didn’t get into St. Andrews
