<p>Great advice…I’m applying for 9th grade, and my question is: what’s your best advice for applying? I have a 91% ssat, not very proud…will that hurt my chances?</p>
<p>You should be proud of your 91%! That’s a great score- there will be kids with higher scores, but you will certainly be strong in another area of your application that others will be weak in. The biggest thing you should focus on when applying is letting your passion show. Make sure you’re involved in extracurriculars that relate to things you’re interested in, and act passionate in your interview and especially in your essay. Almost all applicants are great students, so you need other things that will help you stand out. That’s a good thing, though. If you’re able to show true passion, that’ll put you ahead of other applicants, regardless of your grades or scores. (Of course, academics are still important, but since you’re ambitious enough to be applying, I’m assuming you do well in school.)</p>
<p>When did you submit your application? (on the deadline or before?) How often are the Exeter vs. Andover games? </p>
<p>How many electives are you allowed to take? (My cousin went to Andover and told me all about the history ones he took) And what electives do you take?</p>
<p>I submitted my application about a week before the deadline, but I don’t think it makes much of a difference. There’s an Andover-Exeter Day every term (so 3 times a day), but the fall one is the most important one.
Electives really depend on what year you’re in, so I’ll explain it by grade:
Ninth grade: (I began as a tenth grader, so I’m not entirely sure about this.) You take standard, required classes in English, history, and biology and are placed in math and foreign language based on your ability. You are allowed to take 6 courses total, giving you 1 empty space per term to take electives such as PE, art, music, or theater. Most electives in history, English, science, or philosophy are not avalible until 11th grade.
Tenth grade: You take standard English, chemistry, and are placed in foreign language and math. You are also required to take history and philosophy for one trimester each. You can generally only take 5 courses, so you’re left with 1 opportunity overall for electives.
Eleventh grade: Required classes are standard English, physics, history, and math and foreign language based on placement. (Once you reach the 300 level in a language, you no longer have to take it, so if you began at a higher level than most people, you’ll have extra opportunity for electives. However, lots of kids continue further or start a second language.) You’re also eligible to take harder electives in science, history, and philosophy.
Twelfth grade: Don’t have to take math if you’ve already finished calculus, but lots of kids still do. Science isn’t required, but most people take electives in it. English is required, but there is no standard course, only electives. There are also electives in history, philosophy/religion, arts, music, theater, and more.</p>
<p>This year, I’m taking art and music as electives (as well as PE and philosophy, which are required.)</p>
<p>What would you say are some of the biggest differences between Andover and Exeter? I was wondering how they compare in math, science, and latin departments.</p>
<p>I really don’t know much about Exeter’s departments. I’m sorry 
I will say that Andover’s math and science departments are very flexible- you can take pretty much any course that you place into, regardless of your grade. I take Latin, and you learn SO much in one year- way more than at my old school. There are kids that take a language for years and still place into the beginner level.</p>
<p>in the application, they ask for a school report? do i email that to like the principle for grades and stuff? or is it a recommendation type thing?</p>
<p>The school report is something you give to your guidance counselor or principal to fill out Basically it’s where they send in a report of your grades and standardized test scores for the past few years. If your guidance counselor or principal knows you, he will fill out a short recommendation form.</p>
<p>Is Andover more Mac or PC based?</p>
<p>When is the deadline for applications? And what does your score on the ssat have to be to get it?</p>
<p>John48: Most people here have Macs, though either works.
kdhindes: I think the deadline’s Jan. 15, but you can find it online. There’s no SSAT requirement- just do your best. Most kids who get in have scores in the 90th percentile or higher. Mine was in the 99th percentile.</p>
<p>How does the 1-6 Andover grading system translate to letter grades? Does the school offer a grid to understand what number means an A, B, C etc?</p>
<p>I live in Texas and I’m kind of scared that I’ll miss my family and friends too much to leave. Was it super hard to leave? Were you homesick? And how long did it take to you to get over it?</p>
<p>2kidsnoanswers: I’m sorry, but I don’t know the grading system offhand and can’t find a resource that explains exactly what translates to each number, but the school does explain it. Approximately, a 6 is an A or higher (around 93%+), a 5 is at least a B, a 4 is at least a C+, and so on.
kdhindes: I have a friend from Texas! I’m a local boarder, so I talk to my parents a lot. I do have a lot of international friends, and they got homesick at first. However, I think there’s so much to get involved in at campus that you’re able to distract yourself from missing home. Obviously, it’s a very personal decision though, and it’s something you should think about with your parents.</p>
<p>Hi! Would it be possible for me to see a copy of your essay? I was thinking about writing an essay about me getting interested in politics as well but I was leaning toward not doing it because the reader might not agree with my opinions.</p>
<p>What surprised you about the school? </p>
<p>What would you tell yourself as the newbie, now that you’ve been there awhile?</p>
<p>twinshk2: My essay’s saved on my computer at home, not at school, so I don’t have access to it. Try to focus on why you care about politics, and how you got interested in it, not necessarily what your beliefs are. It’s okay if your beliefs come up- no one’s going to fault you for having an opinion, unless it’s a bigoted one- but don’t make them the center of your essay.
2kidsnoanswers: It surprised me how friendly everyone is. I expected people to be either really snobby, or like how they were at my old school (people stuck to one group and pretty much ignored everyone else.) But the vast majority of kids here are really friendly. I’d tell myself to be more outgoing and willing to try new things and make new friends, since I don’t think I took full advantage of the opportunities available to me.</p>
<p>If this discussion is still on, I have a few questions about being a new lower. I was accepted for fall 2014 as a new lower and I am really excited! 
Alright, here goes.
- What types of dorms do you get? Are you paired up with a new lower? Is it an exclusively new lower dorm?
- How is orientation? Does it help on setting in the Andover mood? Are you hanging out only with new lowers the whole day? What activities are present?
- How is the overall feel? Do returning lowers accept you? Is it possible to get leadership positions?
- Academically, do you have as much support as new freshman? Do they expect you to already have mastered the Andover pace?
THANKS! And sorry for all the questions.</p>