<p>I am an Asian, 8th grade applying for 9th, female, currently residing in China. </p>
<p>I like schools that have a great deal of community service. Even though, so far, my community service section is quite weak, I feel that in the coming years I must invest far more time in it. I like schools that make you “work” - no, not in a sense that they give you loads of homework - but more like, you understand that you reap what you sow, and that you have to give something to the community to help yourself as well. A second important factor is that the music section must not be “below average”. Music is the most accomplished “talent” that I have, and without it, I am the most mediocre person in existence… Thirdly, the language section should be… good. To be able to communicate to different languages is important for my future life because I do not plan on staying in one place forever. </p>
<p>Northfield-Mount Hermon might be a good fit, if you want a larger school, but it is in a rural area. George and Westtown are both Quaker schools with strong community service requirements. They both have diverse student bodies (many Chinese and Asian students). I don’t know how strong their specific music departments are, but George has an IB program, with certificate in music. Their foreign languages aren’t especially strong, though. I think that Blair and Peddie (both in NJ) have pretty good language programs, as do all the larger, most prestigious schools (ie. Andover, Exeter, Lawrenceville, etc.).</p>
<p>Definitely consider applying to St. Paul’s School. SPS is strong in all areas you mentioned - community service, music program and the foreign language programs.</p>
I’ll look more into the other schools you’ve mentioned. Thank you!</p>