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Okay, I'm starting to feel a bit outnumbered here.

Is there anyone here who simply wants to go to a boarding school because they just don't have the opportunities and advantages a prep school offers in terms of things outside the main academics (such as art, photography, film, etc)

I really feel as though I'll be rejected from the schools I'm applying to because I'm not the perfect "straight-A" student. I'm just a kid who has an aspiration, and is using whatever she can to get ahead in film. I'm an aspiring film-maker who's high school offers nothing in terms of what I need to get into a good film school.

The boarding schools I'm applying to not only give me the same if not more rigerous academic courses that I'm taking, but also the variety in sports and extra curriculars.

Do you think I'll be rejected because of this? I feel as though everyone applying has a perfect 4.0 grade with the perfect EC's, when all I have is a 3.4 with my ambition and strong athletic and artistic skills.

I think I'm babbling, but, do you think the schools will just look at my file, laugh at it, then go on to the next one?

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 02:42 pm: Edit

My guess is it depends on where you are applying. What schools do you want to attend?

By Mazzystar (Mazzystar) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 02:54 pm: Edit

Hotchkiss, Loomis, and Deerfield <--*cough longshot cough*

I wanted to apply to NMH and Idyllwild Arts, but I've allready got my interview set up for the other three. Thank god Idyllwild is rolling admissions.

Thing is, if my parents are going to be shelling out nearly $30,000 a year, they want me to have a strong academics as well as strong arts. My mom really likes Deerfield, while my dad really like Hotchkiss. Personally, I have my heart set on Hotchkiss.

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 03:01 pm: Edit

I'm sure you know the sttats for Deerfield and Hotchkiss. I have a friend that got a 96 on ssat and was a legacy to boot and her parents were worried until the last day at Deerfield. i am sure Loomis is a better shot. Have you seen Hotchkiss and Deerfield? They will blow you away. good luck.

By Mazzystar (Mazzystar) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 03:57 pm: Edit

Yeah, I defintely know the stats for Deerfield and Hotchkiss.

I'm just starting to realize how competitive it is. I'm pretty sure I scored somewhere in the 88th-93rd on the ssat, and I scored in the 97% on the plan (which is like what the PSAT is to the SAT) It's pretty weird, I have high tests scores, but not the most steller grades.

I am no legacy, and the only place I'll ever be a legacy at is the University of Houston. I'm pretty sure the only things going for me are my race, my location, my test scores, and my varsity letter and MVP in cross country.

I really think this is hopeless

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 04:10 pm: Edit

Hey, I've also heard it is a big help if you are "full Pay" as opposed to looking for aid. Best of luck and let us know how the interviews go.

By Dragonreborn (Dragonreborn) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Mazzystar, you are fine! I just asked a friend of mine who got into Deerfield last year about her SSAT score. She told me that I don't have to be too concerned about it. Her overall percentile was 45% and she was accepted into Deerfield, although she applied for early decision. I think this sets a difference? However, your ssat score is really good compared to many others. Relax. Don't stress yourself! You need the energy to work on those essays and dig out the confidence to face these challenges!

By Dragonreborn (Dragonreborn) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 10:07 pm: Edit

I am applying for Andover, Deerfield, Loomis Chaffee and Milton Academy. If you must know, my stats are not all that brilliant either. I got straight As all through middle school with an exception of one B+ in seventh grade. I am not a great athlete. I do not play any sports or have any gorgeous medals or awards to show off. I don't have any ancestors who had attended these schools. I am applying for financial aid and I definitely know that my parents will never be able to pay that $30,000. I score an overall of 80% on the ssat. My score is considerably lower than yours. (I'm taking the test over on January). I am Asian. If you look at my stats more carefully, they don't outshine yours. Yet, I am applying for all these prestigious and competitive schools. I have confidence in myself. I try to tell myself that I can get into them. I try and I believe that I will succeed. Although, I have a heart ready for any rejection from any of these schools on March 10th. But I heed this quote "If you think you can, you can". Mazzystar, trust yourself. YOU ARE FINE.
Get rid of that "hopeless" word out of your mind. Replace it with something positive.

By Mazzystar (Mazzystar) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 11:08 pm: Edit

Should I add that I'm also applying as a junior *eep*

I guess I'm not too worried, and good look to all of you! And Dragonreborn, your grades are so much better than mine! I think I'm just a lazy butt who only works when she feels necessary too, lol.

Oh, and I'm applying financial aid also. I think the most my family will be able to pay is around $15,000

Have you all gone to interview yet? I'm going mid-January (right before the 15th actually!) If so, how did they go?

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 12:36 am: Edit

Deerfield doesn't have early admission.

By Dragonreborn (Dragonreborn) on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 03:38 pm: Edit

I had my interview on November 4th. It went well, but I wouldn't call it a fantastic one. It was my first interview, so nervousness simply seized my whole being. I stuttered and hesitated a couple of times before answering my interviewer's questions. But the rest of my interviews after that day are considerably better.

Cubfan, my friend who goes to Deerfield told me last year that she was applying for early decision. When you do this, it is plain obvious that you can only forcus on one specific school and nothing else. This will lead the school know that you are very interested in it and thus, the chance of getting accepted is very high. I perused through the Deerfield viewbook and I'm afraid to say that it doesn't say anything about early decisions. However, the fact that it's not in the book doesn't mean that the school doesn't offer it.

By Houstonmom (Houstonmom) on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 08:52 pm: Edit

Mazzystar,
You should thank your lucky stars that your parents legacy at the University of Houston (oh my god its not an IVY!!) can afford to send you to a prep school.

By Mazzystar (Mazzystar) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 12:55 am: Edit

Hmm...yeah, they can't afford to send me to prep school. Only my father has a well paying job and he attended UH, and nothing is wrong with UH (go Cougars btw). I don't even want to attend an Ivy League school. It is not an ambition or goal of mine. I'm not like the rest of the people on here who have their mind set on going to prep school then getting into Harvard. Hell, I'll be pretty darn happy if I get into UT.

Sorry, but for some reason that question really rubbed off on me wrong. I hope you didn't take it that I implied UH is not good enough for me or something. I was just stating that college is not a huge thing in my family, and I'm very proud that my father attended the University of Houston.

By Bruceconti (Bruceconti) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 09:20 pm: Edit

"Her overall percentile was 45%..."


I highly doubt that... Not to mention, can't find anything about early descisions.

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 09:33 pm: Edit

Maybe if she is the top hockey player in the u.s. or an olympic caliber swimmer. other than that, I agree with you bruce

By Shinoway (Shinoway) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 09:42 pm: Edit

I completely feel you, I'm not a straight A student but I try my hardest. I'm applying for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics not only because I want to get ahead but because Science and Math are things that I am passionate about. I'm not sure if I will qualify but it was worth a shot and I am sure that I will better being rejected than not knowing whether or not I was good enough because I didn't apply.

By Dragonreborn (Dragonreborn) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 10:22 pm: Edit

I understand that it's almost impossible for anyone to believe that someone could get into such a competitive school with such a low percentile on the ssat. However, she got accepted nevertheless and that was exactly what she told me...*shrugs* Unless she lied or maybe something else.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 11:25 pm: Edit

in the 1970's, milton created a huge controversy when they accepted someone who scored only in the 21st percentile on the SAT (not SSAT)...but despite the low scores, the kid ended up doing well and got into harvard later on. the admissions committee does a pretty good job of selecting its students, so more likely than not, those whom the committee selects are capable of handling the work...i don't know the special circumstances surrounding his acceptance but i read that the kid came from an underprivileged family.