<p>I'm interested in applying to both Exeter and Andover for my junior year (11th grade). I currently live in California and attend a VERY competitive public high school.
Academics:
Summer of 2010:
Creative Writing- A</p>
<p>2010-2011-9th grade
First Semester:</p>
<p>Physical Education- A
Modern World History- A
English 9 Honors- A
Journalism- A+ (Elective class)
Algebra 2- A
Biology- A</p>
<p>Second Semester:
Physical Education- A-
Modern World History- A+
English 9 Honors- A
Algebra 2- A
Speech Dynamics- B (Elective class)
Biology- A</p>
<p>Summer of 2011-
Chemistry- A</p>
<p>This upcoming school year I plan to take:
Math Analysis
English 10 Honors
Tennis
AP Biology
History Honors
Journalism
Chinese 3</p>
<p>My extracurricular activities include: I am a member of CSF (California Scholarship Federation, it's an honor society), president of my school's UNICEF club, on the JV tennis team, staff writer for three sections of my school newspaper, member of FBLA (Future Business leaders of America; planning to run for officer this year), passed piano level 10 on the California Merit (CM) Test, logged around 100 volunteer hours at my local library, and I recently competed and placed (although not well) in FBLA section competitions. I plan to compete again this year and place for nationals. </p>
<p>I have not taken the PSATs yet, but I plan to in October, and I generally score (on practice tests) around 210-220. I am bilingual, as I am Chinese and can speak both Chinese and English fluently. I have diverse travelling experiences; I have lived for five years in China and went to public school there for a month. Neither of my parents or any of my relatives are alumni from either school. However, I don't particularly have a specific subject that I excel in. My passion is tennis, but I'm not great at that.</p>
<p>You have the credentials, but 90% of the application is about how well you position yourself. If you really love tennis, I would go with that angle. Rather than talk about how you’re not that great at it, I would focus on what you like about it, what’s on your mind before, during, and after a match, and most importantly how you think you could contribute to the Andover tennis community and how the Andover tennis community can contribute to your personal development.</p>
<p>I think the biggest threat to your application is sounding like a stereotypical Asian. I wouldn’t mention being from China or talking about your heritage unless you have a very specific, perhaps somewhat unusual cultural passion (calligraphy, erhu, guzheng, chinese yo-yo, etc). </p>
<p>Another less emphasized topic is the power of networking. I think one of the reason I got accepted to Andover is because I wrote about my relationship with one of the students there, whom I grew up with. Didn’t even mention going to FBLA nationals (which wasn’t all that great anyway). </p>
<p>In short, choose what you write and talk about carefully and do it well.</p>
<p>Wow it seems like everyone applying to Exeter for 2012 is from California too. Hmm…I wonder if we secretly go to the same school but don’t know about it. From what I’ve gathered, candidates need to get above 90s on the SSAT and wow the interviewer as well as rock the essay. And the recommendations, extracurricular, and grades need to better than awesome, and there has to be at least one unique thing that makes you stand out. Like Socaridas said, you have to put yourself in a positive light. But it seems like people from less competitive areas, who can afford full tuition, and are a minority have a substantial upper hand. But there are always those who are shocked when they are accepted, but don’t think Exeter is the right school. So there’s that. But I honestly don’t think you have to worry about getting accepted. Your stats are amazing and I wish you the best of luck on March 10.</p>
<p>Socaridas is right.</p>
<p>I’m an andover girl, class of 2012. I’m a tour guide, and people always ask me what it takes to get into andover! And don’t worry, I’ve been there.</p>
<p>I wrote up a little article on it that I honestly wish I had had when I had done my prep school admissions. But here it is: So you want to get into prep school?</p>
<p>Write on the guestbook if you have any questions or comments! Good luck :)</p>
<p>I actually went through the whole admissions process this past year and will be attending Exeter as an upper, or junior.</p>
<p>Your grades and ECs are pretty solid, which is good ground to start on. Like many people have said, you really want something that sparks. I also have a passion for tennis, and my interviewer and I ended up chatting about tennis for a bit during my interview. Try to be involved in community service; schools take great importance in how you give back to the community.</p>
<p>If you want any details, etc, feel free to message me :)</p>