Chance me for Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Cate, Thacher, and others?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>Hello. I'm an eighth grader who is applying to a few schools this year, for high school. I'm from New Jersey, and am Asian (Indian) so I don't know how that will affect my chances.</p>

<p>As for grades, recs, and such:</p>

<p>6th grade:</p>

<p>English accelerated (highest): A
Accelerated Math 6-1 (second highest, after double honors Pre-algebra): A
Phys ed: A
Health: A+
Social Studies: A-
Science: A-
French: A+
Art: A+</p>

<p>7th grade:</p>

<p>English accelerated (highest): A
Accelerated Pre-Algebra Honors (second highest after double honors Algebra): A-
Phys ed: A-
Health: A+
Social Studies: A-
Science: B (I'm really worried about this :( )
French: A-
Art: A</p>

<p>8th grade:</p>

<p>Well, school just started, so I can't put much for this, but as of now, I have all A+s and I'm still in Accelerated English (which is the highest, and Accelerated Algebra 1 Honors (which is the second highest, after double honors Geometry)....</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Swimming: 8 years, but not on a team
Tennis: 6 years, but again not on a team
Odyssey of the Mind (creative thinking competition): All 3 years of middle school (including this year), but my team hasn't won yet. We might win this year though...
Battle of the Books: I did it last year (that was the first time they offered it), but we didn't win, however, we are most likely going to win this year.
French club: A cooking club, I do for fun.
I am planning to do Model UN this year as well, and run for student council...</p>

<p>Teacher recs are probably going to come out quite well, as I'm cordial with all my teachers. I am planning to get a recommendation from my art teacher, and maybe even scan and send a few of my pieces to the admissions officers....Can I do this?</p>

<p>As for the interviews, I am thinking they will come out well. I can strike up conversations with nearly anyone. I want to highlight my love of reading (especially the classics!), art, and photography.</p>

<p>The same goes for the essays, as I write pretty well...</p>

<p>SSAT I'm probably taking in November/December, and the scores will be pretty good I'm expecting, I write standardized tests very well, probably 90 percentile +...</p>

<p>I need no financial aid...</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to chance me! </p>

2

<p>You sound like you have a shot. Not a big one. These schools are the best in the country, and some of the best in the world. Do not expect to get a really really good score for the ssat because it is not like a usual standard test, unless you study for it. Do not ‘think’ interviews and recommendations will come out well, unless you see them. Interviews are very nerve wracking. I did well on mine, but if you’re very charming toward adults, you might be okay. Don’t assume, especially in this process. It throws you off, believe me. If you follow these, then you may have a chance. Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>@AMS0203‌ Thank you for taking the time to chance me. :)>- I was indeed expecting to get that score after I study. If I thought otherwise, I would be doomed. :wink: As for the interviews, I think I’m charming towards adults…I once struck up a conversation with an 80 year old lady in a hotel lobby B-) This happened again multiple times…I really like to and can talk, which was I assumed the interviews would be easy :smiley: What I don’t understand is why the recommendations might not come out good…the teachers all seem to like me… :-? </p>

4

<p>whimsicalwhims …you need NO Financial Aid??? Pick your school!!!</p>

5

<p>^^I think they will all still be reaches for me (considering the other applicants outstanding achievements) :wink: </p>

6

<p>Hello - my son was in a similar situation as you last year. What I see is a hard-working student with a broad variety of interests. Your grades are decent (but not great) and your extra-curriculars indicate to me that you are accomplished, but have done nothing really that makes it to the national or international level.</p>

<p>You will be competing against kids with perfect 4.0 (straight As) and 99th percentiles on the SSAT. There is one kid in my son’s BS who is taking Calculus BC as a freshman. You will be competing against kids whose families donate $2 million for a new building on campus, and others who have 3 generations of legacy status. In terms of sports, you will be competing against 8th graders who can play varsity for 4 years and who are nationally recognized athletes (lax, soccer, hockey, squash, etc). So while your accomplishments are great, they don’t really stand out compared to others who will likely be applying.</p>

<p>Its good that you don’t need financial aid, but all of the schools that you listed above would be tough to get into. Thacher or Cate might be your best chances. My son got into Deerfield as well, and my impression is that they are making pointed efforts at admitting minorities (including Asians/Indians).</p>

<p>My suggestions for you:

  • Continue to work hard on your grades
  • Don’t wait until Dec to take the SSAT. You may need to retake to improve your scores. Shoot for scores > 95th percentile in each subsection. Take the Jan, Feb and March SSATs if your scores are not high so that they can be useful if you get waitlisted.
  • Chat up the art department at the schools you are interested in. Send them your portfolio
  • Go to the TSAO events and try to meet as many of the Ad officers before you go on campus for interviews
  • Show a lot of interest to the Admissions office and make a compelling story of why you are a good fit for their school.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

7

<p>Thank you for the suggestions! :smiley: The SSAT, we were planning to take one in November, and if it doesn’t come out as expected, then retake in early January. I was also a bit worried about my grades and lack of “outstanding” extracurriculars, so I guess I just need to blow away the AOs with my essay and interview :stuck_out_tongue: I guess we’ll just see how everything turns out :)>- </p>

8

<p>Thacher’s admit rate is somewhere between 12% - 15% every year. Last year it was 14%, lower than Exeter’s and Deerfield’s and a point higher than Andover’s. The year before it was 13%. Once you hit 85% on the SSAT and have mostly A’s, all these schools will believe you can do the work. Then it comes down to recommendations, interviews, the needs of the school that particular year etc. My advice is always the same in these situations: do not think about the competition. It’s a waste of time and will just psych you out. </p>

<p>In your interviews, do some prep so you can be specific about why you want to attend each school. Most important at the interviews is to have a good time!! I can’t stress that enough. Let the other kids sweat bullets in the waiting room. You just get ready for a fun meeting. Wear a big smile, enjoy yourself, let your personality shine through, be authentic.</p>

9

<p>It seems to me that you have released too much personal info here. Admission people are known to be visiting this website from time to time. </p>

<p>Test scores and grades are very important factors for acceptance. However, what they would also look at is you as a person. You don’t need to be a national level athlete or a math genius. You need to show them ‘authentic’ self that makes them feel they want to have you. All the schools you mentioned are very tough to get in and you may want to broaden your school search. </p>

<p>Remember there are always some super candidates with straight As and 99% SSAT scores who get denied at top schools. And I believe one of the reasons could be that they somehow fail to show how authentic they are. The schools don’t want a test machine with lack of character. </p>

10

<p>Oh god…Now I’m scared :-S Okay…so be authentic, be myself, and not be a machine…I think that can be accomplished :)>- …Hopefully…</p>

11

<p>To add some, the reason why schools are keen on diverse ECs and community service is to see if you have a leadership potential and the sense of community. Boarding school life is basically ‘living with others’ and as such, it requires an ability to solve people issues constructively and harmoniously. If you can show those traits on your essays or through recommendation based on your experience, it would help a lot. </p>

<p>Secondly, listing ALL the activities/sports unless they are very meaningful in showing how authentic you are would not always help. You may not want to give them a supermarket-like exhibition by throwing everything you have done or are currently doing. Again, unless those activities are connected well enough to shape your personality in a very positive way, don’t list all. </p>

12

<p>Thanks! Yeah, I’m probably not going to put French Club on my list… :)>- </p>