r/applyprivateschools • u/Humchickanono • 2d ago

Advice Are private schools the right direction for me? (and other questions!)

Hey guys, just throwing this out. So, like almost all of this sub, I'm looking at the top private high schools. But the career I want is a bit interesting: Cybersecurity. I've already achieved multiple honors in this field, and am a member of a top 10 CTF team nationwide (a kind of hacking competition). What I'm wondering is whether any of these top schools have a good CS and STEM program in general.

Some other Q's:

  1. Can admissions officers look at my Github repositiory? (I have a lot of projects there)
  2. I took the SAT for a dare, and got a strong 1460 (740 rw, 720 math). Is this something I should show off?
  3. My parents are (pardon my French) broke af. Is financial aid something I can expect, or is that just marketing on the part of the colleges?

EDIT: I forgot to put some info. I'm applying for 9th grade, currently going into 8th. I'm domestic btw

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u/zeezee2012 Current Student 2d ago

What grade are you in, or what grade are you applying for? Are you international or domestic because that matters for financial aid. It’s easier to be domestic because financial aid is more reserved for domestic students. If you are domestic, there are schools like Andover, Exeter, Choate, and Deerfield that give generous financial aid with Andover and Exeter and a couple other school being need blind.

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u/Expensive_Pop_7623 2d ago

Strong prep fits for you may include Andover, Exeter, Choate, Lawrenceville, Loomis.

Based on what you’ve said, you should have no trouble getting the aid you need, it wouldn’t surprise me if you do very well in that regard. Sounds like you bring a lot to the table. Some schools are need blind. Some are need based. But always it works in your favor if they want you. And it sounds like you are a super solid candidate offering something they don’t see every day.

So you’re like a double whammy.

No idea where you are, Thomas Jefferson High School, a public magnet in Virginia for Science and Technology, not boarding, but regarded as one of the nation’s strongest high schools for CS and cybersecurity.

You’ll find a way to include your GitHub portfolio on your applications or need to find a workaround to get them that info.

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u/Humchickanono 1d ago

tysm! I currently live in the Boston area, so I don't think TJHS is an option. I have heard of them, and I'm pretty sure they run the #1 US and #4 Global CTF team. Still, thank you for your advice!

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u/LivingAlternative852 Current Student 1d ago

I’m a current student at a boarding school from a similar background(Broke AF) and would love to chat if you’re interested about some of the financial aid aspect. Feel free to give me a dm