Chance me for Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, and Choate

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi, I am currently in 8th grade, so I am applying for 9th in Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, and Choate. I will NOT add any other schools on this list, so please do not give advice saying “Add schools with higher acceptance rates!”. For my family, it is either these schools, or the local private school.

Here is some background information:
I am an Asian-American Female, I live in New Jersey, and attend a public high school which is known for their Science Olympiad and MathCounts teams. I am applying to Private high schools for the 2022-2023 school year. I am not applying for financial aid, and am boarding.

Grades:
We have no ranks in my school, nor any +'s or -'s. Currently, I have all A’s, which is equivalent to a GPA (unweighted) of 4.
I am part of the school’s H&A program (Honors and Accelerated) in math (there is only math available). I take all the advanced courses in school.

Extra-Curricular’s:
I play two instruments.
Piano: I learned Piano for 7+ years.

  1. MTNA Junior Competition Honorable Mention (aka 3rd place)
    BTW, this is a well-known national competition.
  2. NJMTA Young Musician Junior Duet First Place
  3. NJMTA Young Musician Solo Second Place
  4. Steinway Competition 3rd place
  5. IMPACT Competition two-time gold medalist
  6. Performer at the Carnegie Hall. I was supposed to perform once again this year, however it got canceled due to COVID-19.
  7. ABRSM G7 is completed, I was supposed to do G8, but it got canceled due to COVID.

BTW, all of these competitions are the most prestigious available in New Jersey.

Violin: I have been playing the violin for 4+ years.

  1. New Jersey Regional Intermediate Chamber Orchestra, First Violin. (I was supposed to audition for All-States, but got canceled due to COVID).
  2. Concertmaster in the Bravura Youth Orchestra (Middle School Level), as well as a pianist.
  3. Concertmaster in my school’s Chamber Orchestra.

High School Math Competitions:

  1. AMC10 Distinction Award
  2. AIME Qualifier
  3. WWP^2 ARML Member
    (The WWP^2 ARML team is one of the top ten ARML teams in the US).

Swimming:
(More of a hobby)

  1. Attends a local swimming team that is active during the summer.
  2. Placed first place in breastroke in one meet.
  3. Placed seventh place in breastroke out of 64 competers.
    (The local swimming team isn’t great though…)
    I have been swimming for many many years, however I am not as focused on swimming as I am on Piano, Violin, and Math. Due to COVID-19, I haven’t swam for a year or so, so it is not just a hobby.

Community Service:

  1. Plays Piano in Senior Centers.
  2. In the Bravura Youth Orchestra, there is a Community Service hour program. If you do a certain amount of service hours, you will get a metal, and a certificate which is signed by the president. I got one gold, and two bronze.
  3. In my school, my friends and I started a club that encourages others to get off their devices. We collaborated with the National Day of Unplugging, and is hosting webinars.

SSAT:
I haven’t taken the actual SSAT, however these are the results from my practice tests:
Quantitive: 800
Reading: 754
Verbal: 651 (ikes)

Do you have any tips for the Verbal Section? Why vocabulary lists should I look at?

Interviews;
Haven’t done them yet. But I must admit I am not great at socializing, do you have any tips?

Essays:
I think they are great… I am getting help from others too!

Recommendations:

Math:
Every single year, it is quite obvious that my math teacher really likes me. It is probably because it is my best subject, I help others, and I am determined.

English:
Usually, my English teacher likes my because I have good grades, and am persevered. However, I am not that good at english, and don’t contribute to discussions a whole lot. (I do contribute though!)

Principal/Counselor Recommendation:
I am the most nervous about this one. One counselor takes care of 400 kids, one principal takes care of 1,200 kids. Usually, the only kids that the counselors of principals no very well are the bad kids. How is it possible that the counselor or principal knows me super well? I plan on giving her a piece of paper that is about my personality and accomplishments, so she has some base to write off of.

Special Interest Recommendation:
No problem. I am getting it done by my piano teacher, who I have studied with for 7+ years. I am second best, if not best student, and she is familiar with this process.

Personal Recommendation:
I don’t know who should fill this out. Should it be my parents? Any advice on this?

Any advice would be very very appreciated!

2

I’m a current Lawrenceville day student, and besides your SSAT, your profile is far more competitive than mine was in eighth grade…unfortunately, I see the words “WWP” in your post, and if you’re from that district it’ll really hurt you due to just how competitive the application pool is (at least for Lville).

In terms of verbal, you can find a lot of SSAT verbal practice quizzes/tests online. Do them over and over again to expand your vocabulary—they do help. Also try to read more books, or if you can’t do that due to time, get a subscription to a more “intellectual” newspaper like The Economist or The New York Times and read their articles regularly.

In terms of interviews, I’ll be honest, I’m not really sociable either; however, I will say that authenticity will help you a lot more than pretending to be extraverted or the like. Everyone walking into that interview room, to some degree, is feeling some sort of anxiety, so in the end it all balances out, and besides, I made quite a few faux pas in my interview at Lawrenceville (such as leaving my phone in the AO’s office, meaning that I had to walk back upstairs to get it) and was still accepted. The AO really wants to see your personality, and they are incredibly good at seeing through fakers.

don’t contribute to discussions a whole lot

This is slightly worrying, as of all the schools you are applying to are “Harkness-based,” (even if they don’t use the H-word) and as you go on, participation becomes increasingly important in your grade. Again, even if you occasionally make missteps, speaking up in class is an easy way to get your teacher’s attention (hence helping the recommendation) and serves as a good springboard for the heavy level of class discussion in HS.

There is a parent statement; do not use your parents for the personal recommendation. I got mine from a history teacher I was close with (history is/was also my favorite subject).

3

You seem qualified, but these schools can fill up the school with kids smart like you. Think about what makes you unique, what you can do to make the school want you. You’ve proven you can do the work. It’s about what makes YOU unique. Really think about the essays and work hard on them. Recs tell a story too.

We are not AOs. Us assessing your chances would be like a lawyer trying to assess your heartbeat.

4

You have great accomplishments, makes you certainly super qualified and I believe you will be accepted.

5

You could use a music teacher or swim coach for the personal recommendation. Any family member is a firm no for that.

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6

I used a close neighbor for my personal rec. She’s also my best friends mom(and went to BS in India)

7

Just try to be yourself in your interviews and essays and you will be a top candidate for admission.

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8

That is a very strong profile though the SSAT score percentile is very important for admission. Ideally getting in the 90+ percentile would check that box if the score is pretty well rounded. Good luck and just be yourself in the interviews as your resume speaks for itself.

9

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far!

… unfortunately, I see the words “WWP” in your post, and if you’re from that district it’ll really hurt you due to just how competitive the application pool is (at least for Lville).

Sadly, I am from the WWP district, so I guess there would be a disadvantage for Lville. However, from what I know only 0-2 people each year get into Andover or Exeter, so I am not sure if there would be a disadvantage for those two schools. I personally believe that it is likely for me to be admitted into Hotchkiss, because of my strong musical background. However, I am trying not to get my hopes up. As for Choate, I am still looking into that school, not sure if I will apply.

SSAT Verbal:
Currently, I plan to study the vocabulary lists through the Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Ivy Global SSAT Prep books. After that, I will look through some quizlets.

Conversations:
Sometimes, when there are fewer people in a room, like 1-15, I feel more comfortable talking.

Recommendations:
I understand! I will probably switch my Special Art Recommendation with my Orchestra/Chamber teacher, and have my piano teacher complete the Personal Recommendation!

I am trying to be myself while writing the essays, it’s just that everyone applying are so talented, so I don’t feel like I have much of a chance.

10

To the OP - @mango12_2022

Sorry, you are limiting yourself to just this narrow list. I read what you posted “For my family, it is either these schools or the local private school”. I know that SPS has a program where they accepted several students from New Jersey. We met them at Revisit. Why don’t you also add St Paul’s School and Deerfield Academy to your list?

11

Yep, even the Taft School has an impressive matriculation list while I didn’t see one on Choate’s website. However, focusing on arts strength at Hotchkiss is great.

I guess SSAT is the great equalizer and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds will be given some slack due to fewer resources to study.

You have an impressive background. Staying at the local public or private school won’t be a failure at all.

12

Yes I agree with @Golfgr8

There are many good prep schools and you applied to five of the seven best ones so why not add the other two (SPS and DA)?

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13

How do you define “best ones” when describing prep schools? Also do you mean boarding or prep as you seem to be conflating the two?

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14

In the Boarding or Prep School world, both words are used interchangeably, and there are seven schools that are considered to be the most prestigious. Hotchkiss, Andover, Deerfield Exeter, St. Paul’s, Choate, and Lawrenceville.

15

Actually the term prep school tends to be in reference primarily to day schools (think Dalton, Harvard Westlake), or parochial prep (Regis, Delbarton) or public Prep (Bronx Science, Boston Latin), while the seven schools you reference are representative of boarding schools (with small numbers of day students).

I also question whether it appropriate to equate prestige with the term “best” as you seem to want to do. Elitism, selectivity or even reputation are trumped by fit when determining best.

Your terminology suggests a false hierarchy. I say this having attended one of the schools upon which you ascribe such lofty accolades.

The OP should not seek a school (if possible) solely based upon a perception of exclusivity. I recognize her parents are placing pressure on her and wish her the best in finding a school that checks all the requisite boxes as she looks to be an outstanding candidate.

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16

All boarding schools are prep schools. Not all prep schools are boarding schools. Let’s not get hung up on semantics, though. Similarly, let’s not digress on what the top 7 boarding schools are; instead, focus on the OP’s question.

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17

I think your stats are great, but all of the schools you’re considering, especially Exeter and Lawrenceville, are heavily discussion based, so make sure you enjoy having to talk and share your ideas in front of others. I would also make sure that it’s you yourself who wants to go to BS - not your parents pushing you to. AOs can easily distinguish if an applicant is truly interested in BS, or if their parents are pushing them to apply. Your strong skills in math and music will help you a lot, but if you are applying from a really competitive district, you need to make it clear in your essays and interviews what you are passionate about and how you can pursue that passion at a BS. Try to distinguish yourself from all of the highly-qualified applicants who are applying to BS in your area. For interviews, treat it as a conversation and tell the interviewer exactly why you want to attend their BS. Finally, your teacher recommendations are extremely important as well, and I would definitely recommend giving your counselor and/or principal your list of accomplishments (CV).

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18

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply!
There are only 12 more days left before the deadline! nervous laugh
I think that the application process is going well. I am almost done with my essays, and my interviews, recommendations, etc. are done. The only concern I have is my SSAT score, which is 87%. I have 99% in math, 92% in reading, and 53% in verbal (ikes). As an Asian American, I know that the average SSAT score is in the 90’s. I am from an overrepresented ethnicity and city. So, I am concerned that my score is too low. I am taking the SSAT again on 1/8/22, however, I am not confident that I will score in the 90’s. Any advice? Was anyone in the same situation as me but still got into one of the schools I am applying to?

19

Also, if I decide to not provide SSAT score for SSAT optional schools, will it be a disadvantage? How do you know?

20

Hello there: getting into Lawrenceville as a day student is more difficult than getting into Andover or Exeter. The stats for accepted students from nearby WWP/Princeton area are top notch. Typically you need some extraordinary hook: valedictorian of your middle school, recruited athlete, URM or development case. My son attended Lville and he attended the local public schools before boarding in 9th grade.

I know a lot of his friends who were day students. They were top students at the local feeders (Princeton Charter, Stuart, PASH, Chapin, etc). A couple were Caroline Bradley scholars or had similar high level awards.

Your stats are fine (87% overall). I would send the scores in. Plenty of students with higher scores are rejected routinely.

Your parents seem to have the “Go Big or Go Home” mentality when it comes to boarding school. From first hand experience, I can tell you that it is not a good strategy. When it comes time to college applications, you will be at a disadvantage if you attend a HS where you are in the middle of your class. Better to go to a smaller BS where you can be at the top. Big fish in little pond > little fish in big pond.

Suggest you listen to some of the advice to add other schools to your list.

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