<p>So I got accepted to SPS and Milton and I am literally on cloud 9 right now. However, my sister's at SPS, and I was wondering whether I only got accepted because of my sister? I know SPS does not have sibling policy, but does having a sibling at SPS help a lot? (I'm wondering because SPS only accepted 10% of their applicants this year, and a lot of great candidates were WL or RJ. I had an exceptional SSAT grade and I thought my extracurriculars were strong, but is having my sis @ SPS the main reason why I got accepted?) Thanks, everyone!</p>
<p>I’m sure that you were highly qualified and the school knows that you are able to handle the rigor of the school.</p>
<p>No offense but that’s kind of a ridiculous question and a little insensitive considering that there are plenty of kids who would be thrilled with your results. They liked you enough to accept you. No one knows why. End of story. Count your blessings.</p>
<p>@Momof7thgrader she does not (I’m assuming girl) is not trying to be insensitive. She legitimately wants to know whether or not she is truly deserving of acceptance. If anything, I think she is being humble right now. She is clearly appreciative of the acceptance but wants to know if she took the spot of a higher qualified applicant.</p>
<p>Wow congrats. Your sis might have been a significant factor but really I think what counted so much were your results and extracurricular activities. Keep it tight buddy. </p>
<p>@Momof7thgrader I was not trying to be insensitive, so I’m sorry if I offended anyone in any way. I asked this question because I was genuinely concerned about the nature of my acceptance, and was seeking input from other CC users. If SPS only accepted me because of my sister, I will attend Milton instead. I don’t want to be reliant upon my sister’s achievements. @needtoboard 
Yeah, I’m a girl, haha.</p>
<p>It’s possible that it was a consideration, but as you also got into another selective school without the legacy, clearly you that isn’t the only reason. It’s usually not one thing that gets a student accepted, and it’s difficult to pull out what already there. If it’s that important to you, go to Milton where you know you got in on your own. </p>
<p>@dexter25 Thanks! @cptofthehouse Thanks, that really helps! To tell the truth, SPS is my 1st choice. If you guys don’t believe that my sister is a major reason why I got accepted to SPS, I’d probably “say yes to SPS”.</p>
<p>My daughter is a “legacy” at SPS (I went there) and at first she was a little uncomfortable about it and second guessed her presence there. Honestly, many people feel like they don’t “belong” when they see so many smart/talented/athletic/“together” people there. It’s part of the adjustment when you don’t have your own niche yet.</p>
<p>What I can tell you is that many siblings do not get in. You have to be qualified and a desirable candidate to get admitted. Period.</p>
<p>Did my daughter get in because of me? Maybe. Did you get in because of your sister? Maybe. Does it matter? No. Take advantage of the opportunity you’ve been given and do yourself and the school proud! </p>
<p>Congratulations!!</p>
<p>How in the world would anyone on this board know why you were accepted (or rejected) to SPS – or Milton – or anywhere else? Are you asking for guesses so you can base your decision on the guesses of strangers? Momof7thgrader is spot on. The only people who know are the folks in the admissions office at SPS. Ask them. If they won’t tell you, you will never, ever know.</p>
<p>I can tell you definitively it was NOT just your sister!
My son is at SPS and my daughter, his sister, was wait listed for the 3rd form!
You should be SO happy. This was the hardest year EVER to get into SPS.</p>
<p>Oh wait maybe I should tell u not to go and a spot will open…just kidding.
My daughter is in at Hotchkiss which is also good but she really wanted SPS and we love it there too.</p>
<p>CONGRATS to you! A fantastic achievement and Milton is nothing to sneeze at either!</p>
<p>My kid had an exceptional SSAT score too (in fact I bet it was exactly as exceptional as yours) and strong extracurriculars, and he didn’t get into SPS. Lots of kids who are probably as or more qualified than you didn’t get in. If you want to go to SPS, this Mama thinks you should be thankful for whatever hook got you in–whether that was being full pay or having the right family background or possessing a particular talent or skill that SPS was looking for–instead of looking for reassurance that you were Just That Good. </p>
<p>I know you’re probably thinking that I’m being cranky or scolding here, and maybe I am…but I honestly feel that it is our responsibility as boarding school students and parents to be mindful of just how lucky we all are. Be proud of your brains and grit, yes–but also keep in mind that your family (or in my kid’s case, an athletic gift) can open doors that may be closed to others with just as much brains and grit. From that angle, questions like this are, to my mind, best left at the family dinner table. </p>
<p>Having a sibling at SPS will give you a slight “bump” with admissions, but you would not be accepted if you were not qualified. Getting into Milton, which is also very challenging, confirms your merit in getting into SPS. In fact, it can often be more challenging getting into other boarding schools when those schools know you have a sibling at a competitor, assuming you will be biased towards choosing your sibling’s school. All schools want a good yield rate. Rest easy and enjoy your acceptances! Plenty of siblings do not get accepted at SPS. </p>
<p>I know it is a trying time right now with many disappointments due to waitlists and denials. (going through the college process with one of my kiddos right now so I can truly commiserate.) However, please remember that many posters on this forum are 13/14 years old. Let’s try to maintain a friendly, helpful tone or take a break from CC if its not possible. Just my honest opinion…</p>
<p>@friendlymom @lth111 @classicalmama @creative1 thank you very much for all your input! I really appreciate it:) @ChoatieMom It’s obvious that no one on this forum will know why I got accepted. However, I wanted to get a third party’s point of view on this subject. My parents are biased, so I really wanted to get an impartial perspective. THANKS, EVERYONE:) I wish you/ your kids success in all your future endeavors!</p>
<p>Unless they think you are qualified, they wouldn’t have accepted you no matter how big your legacy status is. So, having a sister there cannot be a deciding factor. I found many students who were accepted at the top schools feel a little insecure about their qualification and keep thinking why they were chosen. Don’t worry. Schools know what they are doing. Be confident and get a good start!</p>
<p>I agree with everyone here. I know being an URM and having relatives at the school MB got accepted into may have been a “tipping” agent, but it certainly was not what got him in! It’s all about who the school is looking for at that particular time, and in your case, they were looking for a student just like you :)</p>
<p>I’m at SPS right now and there are quite a few siblings/legacies but none of them are unqualified. They all deserve to be here</p>