<p>Hi! I only recently heard about boarding school, and I have decided to apply to Exeter, Andover, and Deerfield. I have heard stories of some amazing applicants who did or did not get in, and I am not sure what to think. Please chance me:</p>
<p>Applying for about 50% FA
Asian Female living in CA, public high school
applying for 10th grade
4.0 GPA</p>
<p>EC's
Swimming - 20 hours a week, varsity high school team, 5th place at Junior Olympics, 200 free relay was Far Western champions in '09
Piano - 8 years, private lessons
flute - 4 years, with school band
art classes, 2 hours a week
Took Latin at ATDP in Berkeley last summer
honored for SAT score in CTY talent search</p>
<p>I spent my whole spring break writing my essays and had them looked over, and though they aren't mindblowing, I feel they really show who I am.
I am sure my recs were good, especially the one from my swim coach of 3 years.
Just took the SSAT today, but I'm fairly certain I got at least a 2300. </p>
<p>My ECs are definitely not very strong, but I spend so much time swimming that I don't have time for a ton of activities like other people. I'm relying a bit on the fact that I would make an impact on the swim team at all 3 schools (have emailed all coaches.)</p>
<p>Please chance!</p>
<p>I think that applying for FA will kill your chances. Wait until next year, and you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>@bsnewbie, realistically, the chances of being admitted as a Late Applicant to Exe/And/Deer are grim.</p>
<p>In our conversation w AO during the Revisit Day at one of the 3 schools you mentioned, the AO said that taking 5 kids off WL one year was considered a lot, as most years it is ZERO WL kids admitted. As a Late Applicant, you would likely be in the same pool as the WL candidates.</p>
<p>Your chances might be significantly better if you waited to apply in subsequent year. If you do wait a year to apply, weigh the option of applying as a Repeat Sophomore, as the number of available slots decrease with increasing grade (i.e. most 9th grade slots, fewer 10th grade slots, even fewer 11th grade slots…).</p>
<p>It might not hurt to contact the schools’ AO directly to request some steer from them. Good luck. You seem like an impressive candidate.</p>
<p>FA + late application = very low chances at best</p>
<p>@DiveAlive that is not true, a late applicant has just as much as a shot as a waitlister.</p>
<p>You sound like a solid applicant, and you should contact the schools first. Exeter and Andover have very strong financial aid programs so there should not be a problem there. But considering the fact you took the ssat today time is not on your side. I recommend reapplying next year, but best of luck</p>
<p>and no one has gotten off the andover waitlist in 2 years, so chances are still very low 
in general, chances of getting off a waitlist = very low</p>
<p>anyway, my advice would be to wait until next year. from what i know, a late application is an application directly to the waitlist and getting off a waitlist isn’t an easy feat… i’m not trying to discourage you, though- you look like a qualified applicant and if you really want something, go for it!</p>