Current Prep School students: What made you unique enough to be accepted?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Ok, well I haven't seen a thread like this yet, so I decided to start it :). All you current prep school students, can you list what your activities, grades, community service amounts, and possibly how much financial aid you had that all together leading to you being accepted? This could help out all of us applying in seeing "what" qualifications you need to be accepted. :) Thanks!</p>

<p>So...</p>

<p>ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS( unique or normal)</p>

<p>GRADES</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE AMOUNT</p>

<p>AMOUNT OF FA RECIEVED IF ANY</p>

2

<p>Erm…I didn’t really do too much to be distinguished. I was the head of my school’s community service group, and I volunteered at my library over the summer, but other than that I just had good grades, had a passion for learning languages, and was an overall happy and energetic kid who would contribute to the schools that I applied to. I think that if you do something spectacular or are really excited for what life brings, then you will appeal to the interviewers.</p>

3

<p>This thread might be close to what you are looking for:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html?highlight=clean+boarding+school+stats[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html?highlight=clean+boarding+school+stats&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>A warning that it can be sobering/intimidating. Don’t freak. </p>

<p>Also, know there is no magic bullet/secret formula that guarantees you will be admitted to BS…especially when it comes to the most selective schools. This is why many who have been through the process advise applying to a range of schools that could work in terms of “fit”, not just the ones EVERYONE has heard of/will be applying to.</p>

4

<p>Agreed. What might have made someone “special” in one year might not have been a good match another year. It’s a “black box” process and very subjective. So the problem with looking for trends is that there really aren’t any (other than good grades and consistent test scores). What happens is everyone starts looking for the magic formula, showing up with cookie cutter resumes, and then the one odd kid who just had a normal life suddenly is the ‘stand out’ in the pile.</p>

<p>Just be yourself - not a stat. That will help you find the right fit and help the school understand that you’re a fit for them too.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much SevenDad and Exie, you guys have helped me so much on here! I am very surprised by the acceptances, some way more qualified applicants did not get accepted while under-qualified( in my opinion) did! ( also with FA!!) I am hapy though, because over all I think I have a 50/50 chance of getting in!</p>

6

<p>I think your personality would be most important, though. Did anyone read about that Exeter kid who was accepted because an AO “had a hunch” about him, he had below average ECs and grades, but then he was the valedictorian. :)</p>

7

<p>That was Taft. Told ya - I love LOVE that school. They have good instincts and they really “like” the kids they take.</p>