<p>Yeah, I really think it relies on determination and effort. Personally I think studying for 1-2 months, 2 Princeton sessions a week would really do it.</p>
<p>Watertester, </p>
<p>What do you mean "remember the average SSAT for PA is 93%? just an indication of how competitive it can be.)" What is PA? He got 94% overall (2235)</p>
<p>I guess what I was really trying to say is not that I am worried about his SSAT (he did fine on that), but his personality. If he is surrounded by very hard working over achievers he may not be a happy camper and as a family we may not make the correct decision. Of course we expect the coursework to be challenging, but he also wants to "hang out" and enjoy the ec's. What is the reality?</p>
<p>PA = Phillips Andover. The fact that he got pretty good scores on SSAT without any prep means he is well prepared academically, which is good news. As to the life at BS, I am not at the position to give you the whole picture. I suggest you browse this forum or open up a new thread and let the former/current students and parents share their experiences. As a matter of fact I want to know how life at a BS is REALLY like myself.</p>
<p>I didn't get a tutor either and just preped myself with 2 books (Peterson and Priceton, though none of the vocab came up and Peterson's was way too easy) </p>
<p>I'm just not determined I guess... I procrastinate ALOT</p>
<p>By the way...
essays...</p>
<p>Everyone writing them in the 5 paragraph structure, with the thesis and everything? Should it be written in 5 paragraph structure?</p>
<p>I have a question</p>
<p>Should the essays be written formally (Without the use of "i" or any personal reference) or informally (With "i" and personal reference) ?</p>
<p>^ this is just my OPINION, so don't count on it, but this is how im writing my essay. just write using "I", or else you might sound kinda snobby talking in third person, don't you think? :)</p>
<p>WE HAVE TO WRITE A FIVE-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURED ESSAY??? i thought they were like college essays where they weren't "essays", per se, but informative reflections :P</p>
<p>so... what type of format is it supposed to be in?
no format...?</p>
<p>Lol just do it how you like...Im not using paragraphs cuz I can't give up the space, I have to much to say. This isn't suppose to be like an essay you turn into school.</p>
<p>What westcoast said was correct.</p>
<p>I use paragraphs when I'm writing it in MS word (it makes it easier for me to understand) but if I run out of room I get rid of paragraphs. I'm writing mine in a five paragraph essay form, but I don't think everyone should/has to write it in that form. I think it's more about the content then form, but if everything is out of order and disorganized, of course it won't be as good.</p>
<p>Basically, focus on the writing.</p>
<p>thx! </p>
<p>by the way, those of you applying to exeter, how did you manage to squeeze two essays on the front and back of that sheet?</p>
<p>"Should the essays be written formally (Without the use of "i" or any personal reference) or informally (With "i" and personal reference) ?"</p>
<p>It's a <em>personal</em> essay. It should be about YOU. You should of course use "I." The admission officers want to learn more about you by reading your essay. It shouldn't be too colloquial--i.e. don't use text-message lingo or slang--but it should absolutely be personal.</p>
<p>We xeroxed the Exeter essay form for my daughter a couple of times and she practiced writing it out in the allotted space, adjusting her handwriting size, etc. Since they also ask for a printed out version, it makes me think they just want a quick visual to make sure you don't have third-grade handwriting and that you can follow the instructions, but they'll actually read the printed version for content.</p>
<p>thx! u guys typing out andover's essay?</p>
<p>Everybody says the essays should be a reflection of yourself, and etc, and that if it is much better than the one written for the SSATS, they will be suspicious...</p>
<p>The thing is, my essays ARE all my own, without any outside help, and they trump my SSAT essay by miles. I mean, I've had months to write drafts, revise them, and then have gone on to learn new words or discover new things about myself, which I incorporate into my essays and change again. So, my essays sound much better than my SSAT one, which wasn't bad, but isn't as good as my admissions essays.</p>
<p>Now what?</p>
<p>No, of course your personal essay should be better than your SSAT essay. Admission officers understand that the SSAT essay is just a 20-minute writing sample, based on a prompt that may or may not be easy to respond to, and evaluate it as such. </p>
<p>However, if your personal essay is littered with big words like "erudite" and "ignominy" and your SSAT verbal score is a 15%, that's when admission officers start to wonder....</p>
<p>Haha, is it strange that I was ridiculously proud of knowing those two words? LOL.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, GemmaV. I got a 92 on my verbal, so hopefully a better essay on the apps won't be some huge shocker :D.</p>
<p>Are you an applicant this year, or...?</p>
<p>Haha! <em>I</em> was ridiculously proud of knowing those words!</p>
<p>Bombastic verbosity unite...</p>
<p>It's a personal essay,
you should probably be fine using "I"</p>
<p>:) i think i write better under pressure like in SSATs... can't concentrate!!!</p>