<p>Hello, I am a Russian student and I want to ask you some questions about my chances of being enrolled at Phillips Andover. Well... I am almost 100 sure that I do not have any chances but my mom insists that I should apply.
I am in the ninth grade now.
-My SSAT score -2199 (86)( however it might be higher because I retook the test 10 days ago) (Math-743, Reading -716, Verbal-740)
-My TOEFL score- 107
-My grades in Russia - out of 15 subjects 2 Bs (Russian and Math) and 13 As
-This year- second place at the English regional Olympiad, last year - winner of the Linguistic regional Academic Olympiad, National Best Writer award ( second place), several Best Readers awards, Annually represent my school at city Historical conference
-Swimming ( competitive, several regional awards), dancing (11 years, many different awards, citations etc), poetry writing, debates( several awards including international), drama( 3 awards ), history (several awards), I am also interested in philosophy, chemistry ( the best student in the schools 9th grade)
-Annually take part in schools charity events
-My essays are good I think as well as teachers recommendations
- My interview is today... So nervous...
Do you think I should apply? I think that it might be just a waste of money</p>
<p>Are you still living in Russia? You never know, they may like the geographic diversity you’d add to their class. My niece went to Andover for a year. She missed her family so she finished high school on the west coast with her parents. You have great extra curriculars. Don’t worry about the interview. Be yourself. Good luck, I don’t think it’s a waste of money.</p>
<p>First of all, thank you for your time and effort.
Secondly, Yes, I am in Russia right now ( Far - eastern part- Vladivostok). I am used to being on my own, I think I am pretty independent for my age ( I have two little sisters and my mom spends every winter in countries with warmer climate and my dad works a lot but we still communicate via SKYPE and I am used to this way of spending time with my family).
Thank you again! </p>
<p>@skieurope </p>
<p>@mrnephew?</p>
<p>Your stats are really good. Im impressed. Not everyone can be a good writer. You should apply to BETTER schools than that. I love russian literature by the way. </p>
<p>Why do you think your chance is low? Russia should be an under-represented country in boarding schools. So, you will be favored in terms of geographical diversity. Other than that, your academics as well as extracurricular are impressive, if not most impressive. The most important thing is whether or not you have strong desire for Andover. Be modest but not overly-modest and show them your passion. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Victoria,</p>
<p>I think you should apply. </p>
<p>With your test scores and history of grades/ECs, you definitely have a shot at Andover. Sure, like you said, your chances are probably pretty grim. But although you are not the most competitive applicant, you still appear qualified and capable of whatever challenges may arise at the boarding school.</p>
<p>A note on your essays/supplements: you have extracurriculars. Andover gets applications from people with twice as many ECs as you do, but those people get rejected. On the contrary, Andover also gets applications from students with a third of what you spend your time doing, and those students get accepted. Ever wonder why?
Passion. Zeal. True motivation and love in learning. And finally, an amicable, social, genuine personality.</p>
<p>You’re from a Russian background - I’m sure you have something interesting to bring to the Andover community.
So make sure you let the admissions officers know through your writing - polish those essays, but don’t become who you are not!</p>
<p>Personally, I want you to listen to your mother. In the end, the application fee is really insignificant.
Consider this: if you never apply, then you will never get in - your chances are 0.00%
But if you do apply, I will guarantee you that there is still a chance that you could be accepted.</p>
<p>Finally, the application in it of itself is great for future college applications, which is the round of decisions that truly dwarfs this high school dilemma in comparison.</p>
<p>Let us know how it goes, and best of luck to you!</p>
<p>@internationallnt Thank you. Me too, what are your favorite authors?</p>
<p>@patronyork Thank you so much! I assume the interview went good, however I am worried a lot about my low ssat score. The Andover’s av. is 94%, mine is 86%. </p>
<p>Oh @skieurope just that there’s a duplicate thread in the chances section. </p>
<p>@internationalInt</p>
<p>@BipolarBuddhist Thank you so much for your time! I think that the interview went good. What do you think are my chances at The Hill School, SPS, Tabor Academy and The Lawrenceville?</p>
<p>I love Dostoevsky and Turgenyev. Was very impressed by ‘Poor People’ and Fathers and Sons.</p>
<p>@mrnephew Thanks. Threads merged.</p>
<p>SPS and Lawrenceville are generally considered to be “top tier” schools and Hill and Tabor lower down. So SPS and Larwrenceville will be harder to get into, but I think you can get into both! I’m not an expert at all (I’m an applicant too!) but it sound like you have a good shot 
)</p>
<p>@NChopeful thanks for your answer, I really hope so! Good luck with your own application process and best wishes :)</p>
<p>@internationalInt Yeah, those are great, try also: Anna Karenina, Woe from Wit. Chekchov and Gogol are great as well. Best wishes)</p>
<p>@victoria777, you have all medium to large to super-sized boarding schools listed. The only 100% boarding on the list is St. Paul’s. Very similar to it is St. Andrew’s, in Delaware, at 300 students and slightly easier to get into. Perhaps your list is final, but SAS is very special, I’m partial to Russians with great credentials like yours, and I’m reading Chekov’s “The Bishop” today. Good luck with your search, you should do very well with it, and I think it would help to have another school, or two, in the 15-25% admit range. </p>
<p>@victoria777, If that is your real photo, you should change it. The profile pictures are meant to be anonymous.</p>