Hi! I’m an eight grade student in Oregon applying to boarding school next year. Madeira is my dream school, but I’m also planning on applying to Phillips Andover and Exeter. What are my chances for getting into these schools?
Grades: All A’s throughout middle school. I’m a grade ahead in math. Took online French as an extra elective bc it wasn’t offered at my middle school.
Extracurriculars : Dance, ski racing, Girl Scouts, Flute, saxophone.
Academic awards: NJHS member, no other academic awards are offered in my community.
Leadership: Girl Scouts, WEB Leader (The equivalent of student council at my school), multiple volunteer groups. I organized a shoe drive two years in a row for children in poverty.
Tests: I’m registered to take the SSAT but haven’t taken it yet. I typically test pretty well, and I have tutor for the test.
Demographic: White, two heterosexual parents, upper-middle class.
Can you give me an idea of my chance of getting into these schools?
Thanks!
Do you excel at dance, ski racing, flute, or saxaphone or are they just your ec’s? Without something that you are super good at you have the same chance that every really great, smart kid has, 18-25% ish. If you really want to go to BS I would expand that list a bit.
Oh, never mind. Madeira has a 50% acceptance rate. I am confused about your list then. Madeira…or the two very best tippy top schools in the country?
If you like the idea of Madeira, you should check out Emma Willard.
I suspect you will get into Madeira. You sound like a solid candidate and will no doubt convey your enthusiasm, and that will help. It’s a pretty popular school locally, so coming from Oregon should help.
The other two are probably the best known schools in the country so they attract a lot of applications – it’ll be more of a crap shoot with those two. It doesn’t look like any of your activities would be hooks but they certainly show that you have a lot of ways to connect with the community.
I agree with @dogsmama1997 that your list is a bit strange. If you got into all three would you still go to Madeira? If the answer is yes then you need to convey that to them. I have seen many posts on here where a school that easy to get into assumes they are your safety school and, in order to protect their yield, don’t admit a candidate applying to other much better known schools.
Why Madeira and then Andover/Exeter? Seems like an odd group of three.
I am a parent of an Andover student and have been around Andover a long time. Regarding Andover, I think your list is pretty good, but we would need to see what your SSAT scores are. Also, I think it’s “okay” that you are not a superstar in one certain activity. Andover and Exeter do like people who are superstars (I’m headed for the Olympics, I won a national math competition, etc.), but I have also heard of people getting in who are just “good” candidates (SSATs in the 90s, great extracurriculars, etc.).
I DO think that if you love Madeira, then go for it. Fit is very, very important. My daughter went to Andover because it was an excellent fit for her. I have a second child who is leaning toward other schools that seem like a better fit.
Good luck!
For Exeter & Andover, a high SSAT score–high 80s or into the 90s–is necessary.
Coming from Oregon, you should enjoy a slight admissions advantage for geographical diversity.
Also, what’s your aid situation? If full pay, Madeira shouldn’t be difficult with a decent SSAT score and solid grades. Also, if you’re passionate about and accomplished in ski racing, you may want to at least look into NMH.