<p>I think you have a good chance at getting into probably Andover and Groton. I can't exactly give you a definite yes for Exeter because the competition is fierce. I happen to also be a homeschooler appying to Andover,Exeter,St.Paul's and Hotchkiss. It's nice that you dedicate passion to theatre(I happen to be a theatre nerd also). However, you didn't mension any other stuff you do and the schools are probably going to look for more -ie. your homeschool curriculum/what you have learned for the past 3 years, any community service/work experience, other passions like dance, music or art and yes the transcript/some type of grading system. However, your SSAT's are beautiful so that's a plus since these school's really inspect your test scores and the good interview and app will keep you in the running. But then again, you can never truly be sure of your chances at these schools. Good luck.......</p>
<p>Hey guys, if you want to get technical, Exeter is the easiest of the top school's to get into taking 26% of applicants. I think with prep schools you will see that they want the students who really want them. This given those in the running with good scores, grades and recs. You need to tell the school that is your first choice that they are the one. Yield matters at the top schools, yes, it's a game. Those in the know make their first choice clear with emails/letters, in the application, etc. It is obvious to the schools that they all get many of the same applicants (just read this board: A, E, S, D, G,....) and they assume you've told the school you really want that you want them.</p>
<p>I know, but what can I say? I'm really nervous, and I'd like to know what other people think about my chances in comparison with others they've read.</p>
<p>My homeschool curriculum is very strenuous- my mother was a professional highschool teacher, so its not like she lets up on me, or doesn't know what she is doing. And clearly the fact that I took AP US in my freshman year and got a 5, and am taking 3 in my sophomore year is indicative of something.</p>
<p>First choice probably Andover. But its the most selective, so I dont want to put all my eggs in one basket.</p>
<p>I'll write more later- I gtg right now.</p>
<p>I homeschooled my d up to grade 8 and she is now at Loomis. We felt that Loomis looked at her as someone who would add to the diversity of the school. Her homeschooling was rigorous and she had no trouble adjusting to the academic load at Loomis. At the admission interview we asked what qualities would make for a successful student at Loomis, and they said that they had found that homeschoolers possessed the ingredients for success: self-discipline, motivated, engaged, interested in the subject matter, independent thinkers...So I think you have a good shot at your school, if your academics, ec's and ssat are comparable to other applicants. Homeschooling might even make you a more desirable candidate! :)</p>
<p>from my calculation, you have a 14% chance of getting in. I believe your interview and extras will be very important. some type of hook would be helpful. good luck</p>
<p>I don't think your problem will be homeschooling as much as it will be being and 11th grader. A lot of prep schools have small amounts of acceptances for 11th gr and 12th gr. (in portion to the class). For example at a small school will about 80 kids per class they will only take 2 or 3 in the 11th or 12th grade. last year they took abuot 6 11th graders though....but then a lot more got thrown out so they added two mroe this year.</p>
<p>If you run the same numbers - 191 applicants and 27 accepted I think that if you were one of the 191 you would look as good, if not better than the 27. I too think homeschooling could be a plus for you. I'd bet for grades 11 and 12 most of the 191 are looking to transfer and in a way that could mean "failure" in a similiar situation - you don't have that to contend with. You've been home and are ready to step out. Your scores prove your not an academic risk. Think positive and we're pulling for you.</p>
<p>You could ask the admissions officer what experience if any the school has had with previous homeschooled applicants. A school that has admitted homeschoolers in the past and seen a successful result is likely to look favorably on the next homeschooler, provided s/he can show s/he is equivalently qualified. On the other hand, we looked at one school that had never dealt with a homeschooler before, and they treated our d as if she had three heads at the interview. That was before they saw her ssat results and application...she was accepted at that school too but chose not to attend. However she felt the experience of applying there was worth the effort if only to pave the way for the next homeschooler there who hopefully won't have the same negative reaction from the admissions office there. Face it, although there are a lot more homeschoolers out there, you are still a pioneer of sorts.</p>
<p>yea- I agree with you calico. I always kind of have to prove myself- like, I'll tell people I'm homeschooled, but then I'll find a way to drop in my course load (APs), or that my mom is a professional teacher, just to let them know that in fact I'm not really bizarre.</p>
<p>I asked the schools. I had a mixed message- "We've had several homeschooled kids attend our school. Now I know some have thrived, but we've also lost some. How do you think you would fit in here?" I'm not sure what to make of that, but I think I worked well with all of my interveiwers, so I hope they dont have any worries about that.</p>
<p>What did interveiwers say to you guys after your interveiws? Most of mine said something like, "I'm going to give you a great write-up...". I wonder if thats a good sign, or standard operating procedure, or what.</p>
<p>I think you can take a comment like, "I'm going to give you a great write-up," at face value. They are going to give you a great write-up! :) We did not ask for or receive any evaluations of interviews, nor did anyone say they were going to give our d a great write up. A for the question about how do you think you'd fit in, I think that's a legitemate question a school might have for any applicant. The fact that you have already taken APs and done well speaks very clearly for your academic ability, as I am sure your ssat does as well. You mother's status as a professional teacher may give her more credibility than an ordinary parent, but she is still your parent, and that fact creates the appearance of partiality. No matter how honest your mom tries to be, she is still your mom, and the admissions people know that moms have a hard time being objective about their own kids.<br>
FYI, I know kids who were homeschooled who are now at Kent and Pomfret. They found the application provess frustrating, too, but are now happy and doing very well at their schools.</p>
<p>So, did you get in?</p>
<p>Yeah, how'd it go?</p>
<p>The hard thing about these schools is that you really never know what they are looking for. I've heard of some people that score in the 99th percentile on their SSAT's, have straight A-s and still get flat out rejected. I think more than anything they want versatile kids that can come into the school and make the most of it. The competition is fierce, but they want unique kids who will bring dimension.
I'm going to Exeter in the fall and I'm homeschooled. I still kinda have no clue how I survived through the admission committee. I had okay scores, no grades, no legacy, no money. But I showed them that I could bring something to the school and really thrive. My advice is that you have good scores, do lots of community service, show personality in the interview and write a good essay. Also, tell them what you can gain and contribute, whatever it may be,and pray... good luck tg.... sorry about the lengthiness</p>