Chance for Exeter, Andover, Choate, Hotchkiss, Groton, St. Pauls + maybe more

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
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Hello! I am from outside of Sacramento, California, and was looking for boarding school application advice. I am applying for Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Groton, Choate, and St. Pauls. Exeter is currently my top choice but I am doubtful I will get in.

I am open to considering other schools if any of you have recommendations.

Gender/Ethnicity/School/Financial Status:
Female, White, Charter, Would need most likely 50% FA.
No legacy status, parents went to state schools, and boarding schools are foreign to me. It is very uncommon in my area for people to apply or go to boarding schools; I wonder if that will help or hurt me. I have been going to almost a zoom call a night hosted by listed schools which I hope is making up for my lack of experience.

Applying for:
Grade 10

SSAT:
I have had trouble finding safe testing areas near me, so unsure if I will take it. My region has had an influx of Covid-19 cases, and I partially live with my grandparents, so I am trying to be safe.

I have had interviews at Andover, Exeter, and Hotchkiss. Scheduled for Deerfield. The interviews were decent; my best were at Exeter and Hotchkiss. All three were okay, and I genuinely enjoyed talking with them.

I have not started with most of my essays but am planning on writing them by myself and having others check them so they will be “in my own voice.”

Grades:
Straight A’s or equivalent entire academic life. I am taking Mandarin Chinese 2 and the equivalent to Sophomore math.

Recommendations/School Report:
I believe all of my recommendations will be great as I have known the teachers for multiple years and I’m an active participant in class. Principal recommendation already submitted.

Extracurriculars/Achievements:

  • ASB Class President
  • Active Trebuchet Club member for three years
  • Academic Decathlon
  • Academic Pentathlon 2 years
  • Small Business owner with a few hundred items sold
  • AAUW UC Davis Tech Trek Scholarship recipient
  • Key Club
  • Oldest sibling of 5
  • Principal Student Forum Representative 2 years, Executive Forum Member
  • School choir member

Previously have done soccer, piano, French lessons, and parkour.

Both the size of my school and family hinder my extracurriculars. I am very interested in joining Model UN, DECA, Debate, Economic and Political clubs, Crew, and looking into doing international programs. Currently, they are not available to me. Most interested in law and economics.

I know applying for these schools is a long shot. Any advice you have to offer will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

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Hi! I think you have an average shot at these schools. It’s good that you have straight A’s and great teacher recommendations, no SSAT isn’t great but it’s fine. You also mention to be in a few academic contests, so overall you show that you are academically qualified to get in any of these schools. You also seem to have a few leadership positions and clubs, and selling some things online is definitely cool. However, as you noted, your stats and extracurriculars do not stand out in the pack. You don’t play any instruments or sports at the moment or have any significant achievements or passions. Overall, there is nothing wrong with your application and I think you would be a great person who is able to do very well at these schools if admitted. It’s great that you’re interested in so many things and I think you could get in somewhere if your essays were absolutely superb. I would say that if you didn’t need financial aid, your chance for these schools are around the 20% mark, but since you do, I would unfortunately put it at around 10% because you really need to sell yourself as amazing to get in for financial aid. I don’t think being from or near Sacramento, CA necessarily helps or hurts you. As you know, all the schools you applied to are the very top, so if you are fine with the chance of being rejected everywhere and staying at your current school, then that is fine, but if you are really set on going to a boarding school then you need to apply to at least 2-3 more schools with much higher acceptance rates. I am also kind of confused on what you meant by you haven’t started on the essays yet. These apps are due in about a month and it’s really late to just be starting them now. Essays and short answers will be definitely be the make or break based on your stats because you could not get in with those stats alone. Putting it bluntly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you got rejected from everywhere but I also wouldn’t be too surprised if you got in one of these schools! Good luck!

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Thank you! Ill start looking at more schools to apply to with higher acceptance rates. I have started with my short answer essays, but have a lot of work to do! Thank you for your input again.

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Ofc, let me know if you want to trade socials and I could give you more advice or help choose some schools that fit and with your essays and short answers because those will definitely be crucial in getting accepted.

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I believe that your chances are pretty good, and I can definitely see you being accepted. I can’t chance you professionally (I am a mere 8th grader applying for 9th grade) but I think I’ve done enough research to give it a shot.

The fact that not many people apply for boarding schools in your area is an advantage. You’ll improve their diversity which is viewed with pride at the schools you’re applying to. Your grades are good (Mandarin is epic. Good choice.), and since SSATs are optional, you’ll make it past the first hurdle.

However, although your grades are good, your extracurriculars should make you stand out, and I believe your extracurriculars should be fine! You have a clear passion for business and economics and this is shown through your mini business. Selling a few hundred items is impressive. Make sure to enforce this passion in your essays, and to mention this business of yours.

Your ASB Class President role demonstrates leadership skills. You have some academic achievements and you also do seem to be a dedicated athlete. Have you won any awards/placed in competitions in these athletic clubs? These are worth mentioning in your interviews. However, you don’t seem to be committed to a specific sport (correct me if I’m wrong) so you should explain in your application why they may need you as an athlete. Do they provide a particular sport? Are you able to fulfill that role?

The Key Club seems to be a volunteering club that demonstrates leadership. This shows you as a leader, and it demonstrates your generosity and commitment to the community. This is beneficial for you!

Overall, you are a pretty strong candidate. However, you need of financial aid will hinder you. So I advise you to sell yourself in your essays.

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Thank you for your guidance. I have not had any awards in athletics.

What schools are you applying to? Maybe I will see you on campus next year!

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Glad I could help! I’m actually applying to four of the schools you’re applying to: Andover, Exeter, Choate, St. Paul’s School. I’m not an excellent applicant lol but I hope to see you on campus too! Best of luck to you!

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I don’t think I qualify to give advice, as I’m just another applicant.
I think your stats are really really good. A lot of them are unique, which is really great! Applying for 10th grade does have disadvantages though, they take a lot fewer students. I would tell you to widen your selection (although it’s a bit too late now lol), but I still think you have a pretty good shot at all of these schools.
I don’t really have any advice, except you REALLY are a good applicant and I would definitely accept you. Any school would be lucky to have you! Best of luck to you!

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