Chance for Phillips Exeter in 11th?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>I am currently a 9th grade student, but I missed the application deadline for Exeter next year. I am a U.S. citizen, and I am white. (No racial help there...) I have looked at all sorts of Exeter information and feel like it would be a really good place for me.</p>

<p>I have A's in all of my classes, and have only ever gotten a single B (That was in dance). All of my core classes are honors at the moment, and my weighted GPA is 4.25. My unweighted GPA is 4.0. I'm in the IB MYP program at my highschool. I am signed up to take 2 AP classes next year, as well as more honors, and I may sign up for even more AP classes depending on whats available. I went to a Montessori School until I was in 6th grade, and spent a year in Turkey when I was in fourth. My father is an Exeter alum, and we take many educational trips to really cool places, which has gotten me really interested in cultures. At my school, I have been a member of the Drama Company - working with lighting and set construction for the plays and musicals. I am an avid artist, always having a pencil tucked behind my ear and a sketchbook at close hand. Outside of school I take piano, which I've been taking for about 3 years. I also volunteer at the local library and do projects in the community with my youth group.</p>

<p>My PSAT scores were decent - I can't remember them off of the top of my head, but I am planning on retaking them soon. At the previous testing I hadn't realized that I would ever use those scores for anything so I had essentially slept the whole thing...</p>

<p>My current classes/ ones I took this year are:
MYP/Honors Algebra 2 (full year)
MYP/Honors United States Government (full year)
MYP/Honors Biology (full year)
MYP/Honors English 9 (full year)
MYP/Honors Spanish 2 (full year)
Fit for Life (semester)
Intro to Technology A (semester)
Theatre Arts 1 (full year)
Intro to Art and Studio Art 1 (full year)</p>

<p>Also next year I plan on getting involved with the National Honor Society and Math Team (Or Debate Team, I love both Math and Debate so it falls down to which day they are on.), as well as doing some volunteering at a couple places near me which I just became old enough to apply to.</p>

<p>The main thing I am lacking in is sports. I don't have much interest in them, although I wouldn't mind participating at Exeter. I horseback rode for about 8 years and I can throw a mean frisbee, but I'm not one for running around kicking stuff. One of the main things that interested me which I was planning on joining was Track and Field. So, we shall see.</p>

<p>Any recommendations on what I should do? Also, If you could chance me on this, that would be great. I'm not looking for any super negative comments, but it would be nice to know whether people thought I had a chance on getting into Exeter or not.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I think you are a really could candidate for admissions. You have the “essentials” (except for sports), so now it’s important to focus on essays, teacher, SSAT, etc. Well, at least when the time comes later this year. </p>

<p>I highly suggest that you apply (if you can) to more schools than just Exeter. Nothing is for certain, and many top applicants have been denied or waitlisted. Plus, you may realize that Exeter isn’t a good fit for you. This summer, try to narrow a basic list down to about 10 schools that you are really interested in. If you can, try to go take a look at as many of those schools as you can this summer. Narrow your list to 5-7 (different people will tell you different numbers. Choose a number your comfortable with, and remember you will be submitting essays and lost of questions for each) schools that are your favorites. Work with this and find something to love about each school, drop it if you can’t find anything you at least think is really important.</p>

<p>Please keep in mind that 11th grade is a tough year for all schools, so they are looking for some really superb applicants. Let yourself shine through in your essays and interview, remember that they are looking for a teenager. Again, you’ve got a great application, but find a way to get a sport or something in there. Even if it’s a dance class, just find something that you’ve always wanted to do (I’m guessing Track and Field), and just do it.</p>

<p>I hope this will help you get started, hopefully I didn’t repeat a bunch of information that you already know. Good luck!</p>

<p>P.S. I can’t answer any school specific questions, because I have yet to apply to boarding school. All of this information is from research I’ve done for the last few years, along with personal experiences that you can find around this board. Please don’t discredit what I have told you, but just realize that others may have a different experience.</p>

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<p>A 6th grader’s advice is usually good.</p>

4

<p>I’m sorry you feel that way, but I assure you that all of the advice is from other people who are more experienced with boarding school and boarding applications. I try as hard as I can to avoid giving personal advice and stick with what I have heard others do. If anyone thinks I’m giving a bad piece of advice, I would love to hear from them. I don’t want to tell people the wrong thing, nor do I want to use bad advice for myself. Until then, please try to keep those comments to yourself. I have recieved enough of that attitude from other member and it has always bugged me.</p>

<p>P.S. If you still want to be sarcastic and doubt my knowlodge, please base it on whether I have applied or not rather than how old I am or what grade I am in.</p>

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<p>This is amusing thread. I was recently admitted as a junior at exeter, andover, and choate. Im sorry overandover but i disagree with how you feel this admission process is cookie cutter as in “you need sports”.My best advice is continue to excel in what you do and show them your true passion, not some fake bs you do so u create this aura ur well rounded. Show them who you are, and if exeter is a fit for you and your a fit for exeter im sure u will get in.</p>

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<p>Thank you overandover98 and andoverhopefulX! Andoverhopeful - which one did you decide to go to? :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Oh and extra information; I know quite a few people who have been to Exeter, and my father went there, so I’m fairly sure that it would be a good fit~</p>

<p>@Overandover- Thank you for your advice. My main thing about exeter is that it looks amazing. However, I am not miserable where I am, and I participate in the IB program ^^ So while it would be an absolute dream come true to get into Exeter, I dont want to apply to another boarding school. If I go to Exeter it will be because of the qualities of the school that I love instead of simply the prestigious boarding school aspect.</p>

<p>@andoverhopefulX- I definitely agree with you. I’m scheduling an interview for fairly soon, and I will take that as it comes. I’m not going to stress out about it, just think about what I want to convey. ^^ Believe me, whatever I end up doing I will be doing for personal gain and not to look good on an application. I meant to get into Track this year and then I was far to busy (I forgot to mention that I was also an active member ofthe GSA this past year.) I’m also getting involved in a therapeutic riding volunteer program, which I just became old enough for. :slight_smile: Thank you for the encouragement! Good luck next year!</p>

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<p>Oh and forgive me if I repeat stuff or misspell things! I am on my iPod, which makes it a tad hard to navigate things…</p>

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<p>andoverhopefulX - Sorry I didn’t want make it sound like she had to have the sport. It was supposed to be more of “do what you want to do”, kind of thing. I know what your saying, but she did mention wanting to join Track and Field so I thought I would add that in.</p>

<p>Mistedglass - Ok, so it’s more “I want to go to Exeter”, than “I want to go to boarding school”. Like I said (or was trying to say), do what you want to do instead of what will boost your application. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you overandover!</p>

<p>Okay, I found out my PSAT scores from my Counselor. Where I live does things weird so I was only scored against sophomores? And my score against other freshman is only predicted. How strange… (Oh and I am definitely re-taking these next October. These are my base-line scores. Without any prep or much thought.)</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 95% against sophomores (in state)
92-99% against freshmen (in nation)</p>

<p>Mathematics (Oh I’m actually very good at math… I didn’t have any coffee this day >.< At 7 in the morning trick questions become that much trickier.):
86% against sophomores (in state)
82-92% against freshmen (in nation)</p>

<p>Writing Skills: 94% against sophomores (in state)
90-99% against freshmen (in nation)</p>

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<p>Great info but we’re not good to judge whether you’d be great at Exeter. The Admissions Director and everyone else that reads the applications there would. (:</p>

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<p>I’d say you’re guaranteed. The fact that you’re a legacy is VERY important to Phillips Exeter. The B in dance isn’t a problem- a friend of mine was accepted with a B in Math (she was a legacy). The really important things are the interview and recommendations. you’re PSATs are good, below the average exeter student’s but not by much. since 11th grade is their second biggest entry grade (9th in first obviously), AND you’re a legacy, you’re in for 11th. sports aren’t that important - don’t overweight them. I haven’t done a sport since 6th grade and I was accepted for 10th grade in the fall, but I suppose the fact that i’m hispanic makes up for it haha. but youre a legacy, so youre in.</p>