So I’m applying to Andover as an 8th grader and I’m kind of worried about my extracurriculars.
I have all 99 percentiles on the ISEE (perfect on verbal, -2 on each math section, and -1 on reading comprehension) It’s a bit unusual to take the ISEE, but I’m also applying to some other private schools that would only accept that exam.
I see a lot of really excellent kids here on College Confidential, and I’m afraid my extracurc won’t stack up (I’m kind of surprised the majority of kids here did not receive a perfect percentage on the SSAT/ ISEE despite their awesome mathcounts achievements etc.). I’m just going to list the highlights of my interests:
Spanish- 97%/ Gold Medal on NSE (National Spanish Exam)
Science Olympiad Club Founder and half Manager
State science fair 2nd place
Highest Orchestra at my school/ regional orchestra and solo and ensemble gold winner (violinist)
1st place team for cross country at zone meet
I also tutored kids for finals and my class had the highest average?? lol idk
yeah, so not as much umm resume feed as I would like
lol yeah, I’m a bit new to the boarding school application, and my parents aren’t too supportive of my trying to get accepted into all of them, and I really don’t want to anyway. I have like a 7 page resume, but I think this would serve as a good highlight. I also heard some people were referred by their interviewers because of a particular interest?
@CatalyzedChagrin Nice to meet another 99%-er! (I took the SSAT though).
Do you actually have a 7 page resume? I am assuming you included all major/fundamental achievements that you are important to you–it is always great to show that you are a well-rounded applicant, but listing every single thing might not be a good idea. I do have to ask: are you more of a depth or breadth person? Did you express your passions in your applications/interviews?
I am not an AO so I honestly have no idea of your chances will be, but your accomplishments look good.
You might also want to include in your OP if you need FA or you are full pay.
I think that if you show a strong passion for something most interviewers introduce you to someone that’s involved in that interest. That’s what happened to me, anyway. But it could also be by chance. One interviewer introduced me to someone that just happened to be passing by the admissions office at that time.
Wow, it really seems that recommendations after an interview is quite common. However, my main passion is actually in academics, mathematics and science more specifically, so I’m not too sure whom they could recommend me too… Thanks for all of your input too!
I like to point out that if you have perfect SAT scores and apply to Princeton, you have a 1 in 5 chance of acceptance. At the macro level, Andover takes about one of nine.
…Which means that no one is a shoo-in. You are a very well qualified applicant: congratulations!
You can flip a coin, or you can start thinking about what to do if you are accepted, and what to do if you are not - like virtually every single other applicant!
