chances to get into Andover or Exeter

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I am currently 8th grader in a top ranked public school in MA. Have started application process with Andover and Exeter. Have been thinking about the chances of getting into one of the Phillips and wondering whether more schools should be considered. Would appreciate any insight!

School grades:
straight A’s in middle school, with some A+'s in 6th and 7th grades in math, English and others
honors math (highest level in school) for last 2 years
will get strong recommendation from current math and English teachers

SSAT: 96th percentile

Sports:
Cross-country: school varsity team, state meet level runner, with multiple team and individual awards. 5k personal best <21min. will get strong recommendation from coach.

Extracurricular:
Creative writing: scholastic art & writing award, state silver level
Arts, Choir, debate, CTY camp with high honors

Community Services:
assistant coaching local elementary school running program
babysitting
participation in other charity work

International experience:
Had a few years of overseas experience in an international school (elementary school)

Interviews went quite well with both schools. They expressed a lot of interest in the overseas educational experience.

I don’t know what my chances are. Maybe one of the reasons I have been hesitating to apply for additional schools is that the local public high school is top ranked and is a good back-up. But since I am already in the process, should I give myself more options? Any insight or suggestion will be great!

2

You seem like a solid applicant. I don’t see any weaknesses, but I also don’t see any hooks, so you’re in the running, but no guarantees for schools with low acceptance rates.

Think about what you really want and your goals and consider 3 options. If you really want to go to a “top” BS, you should expand your list and apply to other “top” schools. If you really want to go to any BS (regardless of its name or perceived prestige), because you would value the entire BS experience, you should apply to the spectrum of reach/match/safety schools. If you really want to swing for the fences for PA and PEA and have a backup LPS that you’d be thrilled with, stick with your current plan. However, I’d say that if you saw value in PA and PEA that led you to pursue the last option (your current course), why would you not see the same value in other schools and pursue one of the first two options?