I scored in the 78th percentile. I am applying for ninth grade. I have a list of many achievements such as the ones below, but I am worried that I will not be considered due to my low SSAT scores. What are my chances of being accepted into Phillips Exeter Academy?
Swimmer for 2.5 years (Working toward state cuts)
Lacrosse player for 2 years (Play on a competitive league during the spring)
Piano player for almost 7 years
Cello player in an orchestra for 4 years
Straight A's all throughout Elementary and Middle School
1st place in a district-wide writing contest
Strong passion for writing and mathematics
Represented my school's competitive math team for 3 years
But, low SSAT scores and no community service
It’s been my dream to get into Exeter for over 3 years now, and this is the year I really want to apply. However, I am very worried about my chances of getting in.
It’s honestly hard for anybody to say whether a school will accept an applicant or not because each year, schools need different things. I do think however, your low SSAT scores could hinder your shot of acceptance as well as the fact that you don’t have any community service… if you are financially able to retake the SSAT I would definitely reccomend it. If you really have your heart set of boarding school, then I would recommend applying to at least 5 schools.
Your SSAT score is significantly out of range so yes it will hurt you. Community service is irrelevant. The schools want to see commitment to your chosen activities. If that is community service then wonderful, but community service to fulfill a checkbox won’t help you
I’m aware of a student whose first sitting of the SSAT was the same as yours. This student did go on to take the test again and did improve, although I’m not certain of the details. The student was accepted at Exeter but will have an impact on a sports team so that might be difference. Do you believe that your athletic talent (for swimming have you compared times to varsity swimmers on Exeter?). You need to figure out your special “thing” and market it to the school. I would suggest follow your path and apply and even if you aren’t accepted, you will be better armed with how to proceed next year.
The most important question is why are you only considering Exeter?
I learned about Exeter when I was in sixth grade. I felt this instant connection with it. All throughout my life, I haven’5 felt challenged enough. To me, it feels like a place that I belong. However, I’m also very interested in Andover. My SSAT scores do not represent my academic achievement in any way. They are much lower than I know I can achieve. As for my swimming, I think I am fast enough to make varsity there and I am willing to train extremely hard to get my times up. I put a lot of effort into what I do.
I agree with @MAandMEmom that you might want to look at other schools as there are many that offer rigorous classes with very motivated students which adds up to a challenging academic environment. Given that along with serious involvement in extracurriculars and you will probably find that you will need to push yourself to do well at everything.
May I ask why you cannot take the SSAT anymore? There is still a January test date that Exeter will accept if you request the scores to be sent immediately. I also agree with the people above me; maybe try other schools if you have the time to handle that (since it’s already so far into the admission process). But if you’re really passionate about Exeter/Andover, make sure you put your best effort into expressing your interests in your essays and interviews. It’ll be a good plus to your low SSAT score. Don’t fret-- I also received a score lower then the average. Good luck!
Hey futureisnear! I am also would like to tell you that I know how you feel. I am also an asian applicant and applied to Phillips Exeter last year with a low SSAT score(72) and got waitlisted. I am reapplying again this year to four different schools: Andover, Middlesex, Choate, and Exeter(again). This year however, with more preperation, I got a 97 on the SSAT. What I am trying to tell you is that there is always next year and it is not a bad thing to wait. However, applying this year could be a good experience for you regardless of the outcome. I’ll be rooting for you!
I understand now. Although a 72 is quite low for Exeter, it is only one step of the process! The AO’s will also consider your grades, EC’s and more, so don’t fret too much. I’ve read about many accepted students who got in with lower-then-average SSAT scores. I wish you the best of luck!
I interview potential Exonians and you’d be surprised at who does not get accepted. I think SSAT scores play a major part in admission, but the whole package matters and the committee looks at everything. Don’t be afraid to apply as a lower or repeating lower, and reapplying is not seen as a negative.
As the parent of an Exeter graduate who is also involved with advising students interested in acceptance to top prep schools and universities, I think it’s important to state that Exeter is known to have the highest average SSAT scores at 94%. Exeter does weigh the SSAT scores heavily and the vast majority of accepted students have scores >90%, along with exceptional GPAs and extracurriculars. In some ways, it could be said that exceptional SSAT scores are expected or considered a ‘given’ for all students.
Phillips Exeter is THE most academically rigorous prep school in the world. The ‘formula’ used by the admissions committee is considered to be a ‘tried and true’ mechanism which has, over many years, ensured that students who do gain acceptance ultimately have successful academic careers at PEA. The admissions committee rarely wavers from its ‘formula’–especially in the Prep and Lower classes.
For prospective students with standardized test scores and/or academic records not in line with the generally expected exceptional ranges, it’s important that you recognize just how rigorous the curriculum is even for the most gifted students. In fact, many students come to Exeter to be with the reported ‘best and brightest’ students from around the globe. Simply put: Exeter is not for the faint of heart! Exeter is truly an extraordinary academic experience and, although scores of young people desire to attend this wonderful school, it is not the right school for everyone.
From my perspective, Exonians are a breed of young academics who possess a degree of intellectual ability and curiosity seen in a rare few. After watching in awe as their Exonian children adeptly navigated their way through the Exeter curriculum, many Exonian parents have remarked that they themselves we were not talented enough to be successful PEA students! The point is that Phillips Exeter is not the ‘right’ school for everyone, and there are certainly many other superb alternatives that may actually be the perfect match for a particular student’s skills and abilities. Ultimately it is always a very bad idea to set one’s sights on a school simply because of some arbitrary ranking system; conversely, it is never a bad idea to select a school which matches a student’s true intellectual composition and abilities.
I would recommend that an applicant with scores not in the 90% or higher range retake the exam, if possible. There are some students whose standardized test scores do not necessarily reflect their true ability. However, standardized exams are a fact of life, and students who do not perform well on such exams may ultimately not reach their perceived potential. I highly advise any student with suboptimal standardized test-taking abilities who is determined to gain admittance to top prep schools and colleges, seek assistance from school counselors and specialized testing services focused on improving testing prowess.
Good luck this year! I really hope you get in!