<p>I am currently a rising sophomore who is very much interested in attending Phillips Exeter Academy. It is absolutely my dream school, I'm obsessed with, and it is beautiful. This is the place where I truly want to finish up my high school career. However, I don't think my stats really scream Exeter student. My freshman year was completely and utterly horrible, here are the final grades to prove so.
Repertory Company: B+
Honors English: C+
Spanish 2: B
Honors World Cultures: B
Algebra 1: A+
Honors Biology: A+</p>
<p>My ECs were: Mock Trial, Math Team, and Anime Club
I don't really like sports, I am not physically fit to do them and I am not interested in playing one.
Obviously, my grades are HORRIBLE. I just really love mathematics and science and my current school, a public comprehensive high school, does not have the best mathematics and science departments. There is a lot of cheating because students who do not belong in the honors level classes are placed into them and the science teachers do not teach. I am doubling up in math next year and I am taking Honors Chemistry as well. I am taking every honors class offered and AP US History. I really love science, it is my passion. My grades could have been better if I tried, which doesn't scream Exeter. But I honestly hated all of my classes, with the exception of English, which was not all that good as well. Discussion was just not emphasized and I tuned out, mostly because I was silenced while trying to start up discussions that were relevant. Exeter, with its Harkness table method, can really provide the fulfilling learning experience that I crave. My stats may be a joke to everyone, but I've spent every waking hour just reading about Exeter, watching videos about Exeter, raiding the Exeter website for the latest and greatest in news, I just love Exeter and everything about it. This is the place that will aid me, however much they can, with my passion for science. If my grades are flawless for sophomore year and I secure leadership positions within my extracurriculars, do I even have the slightest chance? I know the admit rate for uppers is freakishly low, but all I can do is hope. This is the place where I belong and where I can thrive. I just know it.</p>
<p>If you love Exeter, apply. There’s an excellent chance you’ll be rejected, but there’s no reason not to try. </p>
<p>I’m no AO, but I’m pretty sure Exeter wants good students who will study hard and thrive in a rigorous environment. Unfortunately, your grades don’t reflect that you would be ready for more difficult academics, regardless of what’s actually the case. Hopefully, your grades next year will be MUCH better. Oh, and I don’t think telling Exeter you hated all your classes will help your case much either.</p>
<p>I would strengthen your EC’s as well. If you love science, that’s great. What would be better, however, is if you have the stats to back it up. Your grade last year was good, keep that up, and maybe do something outside of school that reflects your passion. You wrote that you like math as well, which is also good. Know that MANY of Exeter’s students and applicants qualified for USAMO, scored very high to perfect on AMC 10/AIME, etc. and are absolute math prodigies. For example, I have a friend who goes there, and some of her classmates ranked (as in top 5) in national and international math competitions–so, some of the smart and most hardworking kids around!</p>
<p>One thing you have going for you is how much you love Exeter, show that to the AO’s! Sorry to be discouraging. Take my advice however you’d like, obviously I’m no expert at Exeter (I got rejected). Step it up sophmore year, and you’ll have a chance.</p>
<p>Oh no, you were not discouraging at all. With schools like Exeter or GLADCHEMMS in general, it is really horrible to be too encouraging. I’m truly mediocre or ■■■■■■■■ compared to top 5 high school mathematics prodigy! Thank you for the advice and emphasizing the realistic mindset I should have when going into the entire application process. Yes, I definitely need to use that love for the school as a motivation to step it up. Thank you very much for your advice.</p>
<p>Haha, I feel inferior too at times. 
Best of luck!</p>
<p>Have you considered looking at other schools? If you are really serious on attending then you’re going to want to expand your list.</p>
<p>@confusedonhades, yes I’ve considered other schools. However I think that looking into any of the GLADCHEMMS schools would be taking a huge risk since they are highly competitive. Or looking into any school with exceptional departments would be considered taking a risk since the competition is cutthroat. If I am serious about going to a boarding school then perhaps I should scope out every school and see which ones cater to me and my needs. Perhaps even opting for a boarding school with a mathematics and science department slightly better than my current high school’s would still be beneficial. Either way, it is a chance to improve my education. And private schools tend to have a more hands on and customized college aiding process. Thank you for your advice and emphasizing the commitment and maturity I must express in order to survive the process.</p>
<p>Oh, I didn’t mean just GLADCHEMMS I meant boarding schools in general not just the most well known. The fact that you’re very realistic and levelheaded about this whole process speaks to your maturity. I’m sure you’ll figure out the logical choice for you.</p>
<p>Hey there! I graduated from Exeter this year after entering as a freshman! I’ve also worked with the admissions office all four years.</p>
<p>Exeter’s academics are really hard and as weiqian said, I’m not sure your grades reflect it.
Admit rate for uppers is low - gets lower after each year. If you can somehow convince the admissions office that you are indeed passionate about science / can thrive at Exeter and somehow explain your poor grades without complaining about them, I’m sure you will at least have a chance.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for the tips!! I’m not so sure that I’ll apply. I honestly think it is probably too late at this point.</p>