I am a 7th-grade student from Curaçao preparing to apply in 8th grade for 9th-grade entry to selective U.S. boarding schools, including Loomis Chaffee (top choice), Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, Lawrenceville School, Middlesex School, Milton Academy, Hotchkiss School, Taft School, Cate School, Berkshire School, Northfield Mount Hermon, Mercersburg Academy, Lake Forest Academy, and Culver Academies. I attend an American international school and have been in the U.S.-style education system since K4. My current grades are strong: English (97), Spanish (94), Physical Education (96), Math (88), Science (90), and World Geography (99). I am one year younger than most of my classmates yet remain at or near the top of my class academically. While my school does not offer honors or accelerated courses in middle school, I completed an online honors-level math course last year and finished with a 91. I previously served as a class representative in 6th grade, demonstrating leadership and responsibility. Over the years, I have also earned multiple academic awards (such as stupendous student, above and beyond, responsibility, respect, musical master, etc), reflecting consistent effort, discipline, and achievement. I will be applying for financial aid as an international student and have not yet taken the SSAT or ISEE, though I plan to prepare thoroughly. My teachers have already agreed to write strong recommendations on my behalf. Outside of academics, I have long-term extracurricular commitments including guitar (7 years), singing (8 years), ballet (6 years), jazz dance (1 year), and padel (1 year). Loomis Chaffee especially appeals to me for its academic rigor, inclusive community, and supportive boarding environment.
I’m applying next year and would really appreciate thoughts on whether Loomis Chaffee is a realistic target and how to strengthen my profile.
I don’t know. If that is your name
Great that you are getting such an early start on this. I suggest you do some research on which boarding schools offer considerable financial aid to international students. I do not believe Loomis Chaffee does, however. (You should check their website.) Given your dance background, you may also want to consider St. Paul’s School, in Concord, NH.
You sound like a great candidate, but being international, needing aid, and applying to the most selective schools makes it hard to chance you. Have students from your school applied to these schools in the past? If so, your school counselors can give you the most realistic guidance.
One thing to be aware of is that boarding schools tend to favor students being older for their year rather than younger. If it doesn’t work out for you as a rising 9th grader, I recommend that you have a strong 9th grade year locally and reapply as a reclassed 9th grader if you are still interested in boarding school.
I have a fall birthday, so I turn the same age as many of my peers early in the school year. I’ve also always been one of the younger students academically, which has helped me develop independence and maturity early
Yes, Loomis Chaffee provides financial aid. Thanks for your feedback!!
Yes, it does, but mainly to students from the U.S.
Turning a potential disadvantage (younger than average applicant, in this case) into an advantage is an excellent strategy in life. However, the main issues for younger students at these schools are not academic, they are social and athletic.
Then that’s no problem for me. This year I played with the high school girls volleyball. I make friends mainly with kids older than me.
Okay. I have just checked their website and they have a section for international students applying for financial aid. I really do love Loomis Chaffee though. If I get admitted I would hope to be assigned to Richmond Hall. Haha
I agree that being international and needing more than a little FA is a headwind. When you interview, be sure to ask about this.
I will also second that being on the young side is not an advantage for BS because so many US students with your birthday would have delayed the start of school and/or reclassed, and what this effectively means is that you would be two years (or more) younger than your classmates. It will be evident from your birth date on your application, but beyond that, I would not draw attention to this.
You look like a strong applicant, and if you are committed to attending BS, think about expanding your list.
Okay. What other BS would you recommend I attend?
I personally think your list is long enough, but that’s up to you to decide
I’d do a query with AI, then follow up further directly with each school. Emma Willard, westminster, and Taft are ones that come up on that list. (Notably, all participate in Davis Scholars program.,)
Hotchkiss is known as one that often encourages reclassing, so while a great school, it’s adding another challenge for you.
What is good is that you are starting this early, so you’ve got time to do your research.
Start studying for the SSATs now to get a sense of what may be within range for you. The more time you spend preparing, the higher your scores.
I would also encourage you to focus your list. What is it about Loomis that draws you? Academic rigor, inclusive community, and support systems exist at most boarding schools. That said, Cate is very different from Exeter, which is different from Lake Forest. Once you have a better sense of what would make for the best experience, the commenters will be better able to help you.
Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate your honesty and guidance.
I completely understand that being an international applicant who will require financial aid makes it more difficult to assess chances without an SSAT score, and I’ve already started planning to prepare for the exam so I can better understand where I stand and refine my list more realistically.
What draws me to schools like Loomis Chaffee (and others on my list) is not only their academic rigor, but the sense of community and support within the boarding environment. As someone who would be far from home, I’m especially interested in schools known for strong advising, inclusive communities, and a balance between high academic expectations and student well-being. I’m also drawn to schools that value the arts, particularly dance, since that has been a long-term commitment for me.
I agree that my list is broad at the moment, and I’m actively working on identifying which environments would be the best fit for me rather than focusing only on name recognition. Starting this process early has helped me realize how important fit will be, both academically and socially.
Thank you again for your insight — it’s been very helpful as I continue to learn and plan more carefully.
Okay, thanks for your help!
If you want a close and supportive/inclusive community with good advising, then I would drop Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, Lawrenceville, Choate. I think that there are other schools that can do this a bit better for someone who’s so far from home. In addition to the other excellent schools on your list, I would look to Groton, St. Andrew’s, and St. George’s.
Best of luck!
Why would you suggest dropping the schools you mentioned? Because they’re bigger?
Strong advising, inclusive communities, high academic expectations, value the arts sound a lot like Andover and Exeter to me.