Applying to Phillips Exeter and Andover: Tips and Advice

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I am a sixth grader from Texas. Here’s some info about me:

school: private
gender: female
ethnicity: Asian (Chinese)

resume:
I have all As so far (mainly 95+ with 100s in 2 core classes and 100 in a few enrichments). Its a little early to start test prep but I will be doing that this summer. My ISEE scores for Reading Comp is usually an 8-9, math (both topics) 8-9, but my verbal usually ends up as a 7. ( I haven’t taken the upper level ISEE but this is the estimate) If anyone has advice on which test to take, the SSAT or the ISEE please let me know!! For extra curricular, I’ve been doing track since 4th grade, and started volleyball this year. I’ve been playing the piano for 8 years. I was student representative this year. I’ve participated in my school’s drama program (musicals). I did dance from kindergarten to 5th grade. I started choir and quiz bowl during my 6th grade year and scored in the top 20 for individual stats for QB tournaments. I’ve done a few business endeavors and as a kid I had entrepreneur “practices”. I’ve always been passionate about World History, WH taught me that everyone has their biases and that’s what makes everyone unique and special. Embracing these differences makes us a better world. I also loved traveling around the world so I can learn different cultures. I have volunteered at my church and translated for a girl in 4th grade coming from China when her mom was going through Cancer treatment, I helped some of my peers who had Down syndrome and ADHD and these people taught me some of my most valuable lessons. I am bilingual (mandarin and English fluently and learning Spanish). I’ve won a couple of art contests with 2nd and 3rd place. I’ve gotten gold medals for the TMTA music theory test in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grade. I’ve always had a passion for books and reading and some of my favorites include Pride and Prejudice, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.

this is all I can remember so far and keep in mind these are my achievements all the way to 6th grade. I plan to add to this resume in my 7th and 8th grade years. Please feel free to give me honest advice :smiley:

4

Do the things that you’re interested in. Revisit BS applications a year from now. The absolute best thing you can do at your age is find something that you’re passionate about and pursue it. There’s a lot of risk in being too singularly focused on the goal of getting into XYZ BS when you’re still two years away from applying.
In terms of standardized testing it’s my understanding that SSAT is more widely accepted, but either should be fine.
Continue doing well in school, make sure your teachers like you, and get involved in your community. Your summer is much better spent working on something you’re interested in than trying to study for the SSAT/ISEE.

(And btw - I didn’t even begin thinking about BS applications until November of the year that I applied. And it worked out very well in the end.)

1 Like
5

oh ok! thank you so much! is it ok if I ask if you which BS did you ended up going to?

6

she will be attending Andover as a sophomore this fall!

I agrée with everything @reknihtrevo said.

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7

thank you!!