Chances of getting into Andover/Exeter?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi,
I am currently an 8th grade student applying to Andover, Exeter, Milton Academy, and St. Paul’s School and I’m wondering what people think my chances of acceptance to one of these schools might be. My current school grades are in the A- to A+ range, and I’m involved in a good amount of extracurriculars, such as: high school volleyball (sub for varsity sometimes this season), skiing/biathlons, violin (playing since I was 3)/local youth orchestra, and I am a student senator at my school. I’m very interested in astronomy, biology, and I have a strong talent for poetry and writing in general. My teachers praise me for being a very good student and being a natural leader. I go to sleep-away camp for a month each summer (and I’ve done this for the past few years). I have gone on many backpacking trips in all seasons (even a winter in Vermont) and I have learned a lot of life skills from those. I’m also writing/have written very good application essays so far. I am an extrovert and talking to people is easy for me, so I’m confident that my interviews will go well. I’m just worried that I will score poorly on the SSAT because there are many things I haven’t learned yet, since it is for 8th to 11th graders. My father has a PhD in mathematic from MIT, so he is helping me with math and my mother is a journalist so she is helping me with vocab, but I’m still worried that I won’t do well (especially because my sister scored in the 98th percentile, which is incredibly intimidating). I study every day for the SSAT and I’m very stressed since I’m worried that I won’t get in to any of these schools. What do you all think? Do I have a good chance of getting in (or wait-listed)?

Thank you!

2

You seem like a very qualified applicant! I would try to raise the SSAT score though, as that seems to be a less impressive part of your application. As someone who contemplated applying to these schools and ultimately chose public school due to financial reasons, please keep this in mind: even if you do not attend a top tier high school, you will still find ways to get a fantastic education through public school. Through taking challenging courses (AP/IB) and doing some self studying for more AP credit, you can quickly rise to the top of the applicant pool for college. You will likely have a higher rank out of your high school class for GPA and will likely have the opportunity to have more impressive leadership roles-- think of it as a big fish in a small pond. This is not to say that you shouldn’t apply for these high schools, just contemplate if it is the best move for you:) good luck!

3

Your SSAT scores will be scaled against others who are applying to 9th grade, so you don’t have to worry about students who are applying to 10th+ grade. If your sister is already in one of the schools to which you are applying, I have to believe that will give you a leg up in admissions (though it’s no guarantee), as many of my child’s classmates have siblings at school.

4

Given your love of backpacking and Astronomy, I have to ask why Thacher isn’t on your list? (Perhaps you love cold winters?)

5

Thank you for the advice! I think I will apply to Thacher now :slight_smile: