Hey everyone!
I decided not to go to a boarding school for my 9th grade year, but I am starting to apply to boarding schools for the 19’-20’ school year. I only applied to Exeter for this school year and got waitlisted. Should I apply for next year as a repeated 9th grader or a 10th grader. What are the pros and cons for repeating a grade. Why would you as opposed to just going into the next grade?
Any insight?
While I haven’t done any of this myself (I’m in the same boat as you, deciding whether to repeat a year or not), some things that I’ve thought about are whether it is worth it to “push back” a year of your life to spend an extra one at a BS. However, the same can be said the other way, as one would be receiving a world-class high school education for all four years instead of only three.
While making friends and fitting in is definitely a concern that many (including myself) have had, I don’t think that this is a major issue, as many other new students will also be coming to that BS in 10th grade.
Just some of my thoughts, looking forward to seeing more from people who’ve experienced this themselves!
In addition to just having a full high school experience, acceptance rates are generally much lower for upper classes. You have the best chance of getting in by repeating. However, you should also consider the drawbacks of pushing your adulthood back one year.
Actually, being close to AO at Exeter, the acceptance rate is higher for 10th graders than 9th graders when you put things into perspective. There are around 1100 kids applying to grade nine and roughly 180 ish get in, making a 16% acceptance rate. As it turns out, for 10th graders, there are usually only 180 applying for around 60 spots, so 33% chance. So you have that going for you.
I personally did not want to repeat cause I did not want to feel like I wasted a year of my life by repeating high school. However, I must say that it can be a little difficult to make friends at first when you come into grade 10 as a new kid. Also, another downside is that you are thrown into the wolf den. What I mean is that you are EXPECTED to perform on the same level as kids who are returners, and coming from a subpar public school, it wasn’t easy at first. Got Cs left and right.
Also, you must take into account of your financial situation
This is not necessarily true @RChen006. Your numbers are wrong. Approx 2800+/- total applicants. 1600+/- for 9th. -10th and 11th are more difficult. Fewer spots; they are trying to fill holes and keep balance. 9th grade is the best shot.
Keep in mind, at least for the larger schools, 10th grade as a class is planned larger than the 9th grade class due, in part, to students applying from junior boarding schools like Eaglebrook. How that translates to acceptance rate by class, though, is another question.
If I recall correctly, Andover went to its waitlist for 10th grade, but not for 9th grade this past admissions cycle.
It could make it easier to get adjusted academically, if the new school is more rigorous than your previous school. Also, 9th grade admission chance is generally considered as high as or equal to 10th grade admission, especially for the same student who has a choice. Higher acceptance rate of 10th grade admission at Exeter could be misleading. Those 10th grader applicants could be a more qualified pool.
It’s hard to know what would be better for you without knowing rigorousness of your current school and your performance at it, and what is your goal. Incidentally, I know a BS student who successfully transferred to Exeter last year as a repeating 9th grader for those benefits, even though this student was emotionally very mature and academically the top of her class at the previous BS. After a year, I heard that this student is satisfied with that choice. Exeter has many advanced courses beyond AP level, so running out of courses to take was not a concern.