I’m a 7th grader currently who would like to know what to do with the current remaining time I have left to better prepare myself for applying to the HADES boarding school.I would like to get in so any suggestions about what I can do to better chances of getting into to them is appreciated.
Plan on applying to more than the HADES schools…if you truly want to go to a boarding school (and your local public school or private day school are not options).
Also, look at the first pinned thread on this forum for the stats and ECs of some of those who were accepted to the schools you are interested in. That will give you a ballpark of the grades/scores/activities those schools find attractive, but also keep in mind that those who post on CC are not representative of the entire applicant pool. Use this information as a general benchmark, but pursue excellence your own way as boarding schools are looking for interesting, compelling students, not stats.
The five schools that make up that horrible acronym have no magic associated with them, so heed @SevenDad’s advice.
As @SevenDad and @ChoatieMom said, don’t just set your sights on the top HADES schools. With a little searching, you will find innumerable Hidden Gems that can still provide similar or even better extracurriculars and academics as those most mentioned top schools. (Some include St. Andrews, the Hill School, Putney, Mercersburg, St. George’s, Blair, Suffield, Westminster, and Taft; if you’re willing to consider the West Coast, Thacher (!!!), Cate, Stevenson, and Webb are amazing choices as well, although a few of the schools mentioned have very low acceptance rates). Since you’re applying to more than one school, make sure to apply to a few with higher acceptance rates and some “reaches” with lower acceptance rates, so that you can hopefully come out of M10 with at least one triumph.
Until you start working on your applications, try to get involved in new activities that interest you, or that you may think could benefit you in the future (just don’t overwhelm yourself). Like @ChoatieMom said, boarding schools are looking for unique students. They want kids who are going to be successful in a rigorous environment, but who can also handle and learn from their failures and enjoy being challenged. They want people who will strive to make themselves and their communities a better place and who will use their knowledge to improve the world around them. So try to take as may opportunities as you can or create those opportunities if they are not available to you.
Make sure to thoroughly research all of the schools you think you may want to apply to, and narrow the list down to enough to have some safeties and reaches, but not so many that you cannot get a feel for what each individual school wants from a student. Every school has a different environment with unique qualities and offerings, so try to find the places that are right for you. If you do a sort of art, music, or writing, start working on a portfolio that you can send to schools once you begin your application. Take a practice SSAT to see where you are, and work on improving in your weaker areas, unless you have a different strategy (e.g. I actually didn’t study for the SSAT apart from taking a few practice tests because I wanted to show my school what I truly know, not what I studied from a book). Find your hook, if you have one, and try to brainstorm answers to common essay prompts (search the forum).
Throughout the entire process, remember to be yourself. The school that’s right for you will see that and choose you for it. For now, get involved, start your research, and keep your grades up. Don’t get too wrapped up in admissions just yet. Enjoy your time prior to high school for once its gone, its gone. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks for the suggestions!