I’m an 8th grader in Pennsylvania currently applying to Andover.
Last year, I was in a public school and got all A’s, which included English, Math, History, Science, French, Art, Technology, PE, Home and Career Skills, Band, and more. This year, I’m going to a private school.
I have SSAT tutoring, so that should go well. I’ve already done my interview, the interviewer told my parent that it was exceptional and I was above average.
I swim very competitively- I’ve been doing it for 6 years. I’ve done piano for 8 years and clarinet for 4. I danced for 6 years and I’ve done taekwondo for the past 2 years. I’ve won many poetry awards. Teacher recommendations should be excellent.
Do you have any suggestions? Please tell me the honest truth- I want to know ahead of time. Thanks.
Suggestion? Apply to other schools.
And other schools don’t just include HADES or GLADCHEMMS. Branch out! There are some fantastic hidden gems that are truly incredible.
Look at some of the Andover times here andoveraquatics.net
Honestly you look like a lot of other applicants. You don’t seem to have a good hook. Are you URM? Are your swim times competitive to make varsity? Are you legacy or development case? If your answers to these are no then apply to lots of schools and hopefully you’ll get into one. Good luck.
Not only Andover but all competitive boarding schools will primarily look at your academics including GPA, classes taken and test scores (SSAT). If your grades and numbers are considered good, they won’t push you out in the early screening stage. But academics alone will not get you in. You need to show them you are a good fit with the school. Your interview, essays and teacher recommendations (all qualitative factors) AND extracurricular activities will help the school find the fit. That is why many all-A+ students with 99% SSAT scores don’t get in. It doesn’t mean they are inferior candidates. It means that they just don’t fit in School A while they fit perfectly with School B.
Remember there are thousands of high caliber applicants and the accept rate is low 10% there. Like many people said, you need to broaden your school search unless you have absolutely no problem if you stay in your current school.