<p>Although it’s not going to be exactly the same, I remember reading that only around 70% of applicants to Andover were ‘academically viable’</p>
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<p>Keep in mind also that there are eight junior boarding schools in New England (CT, MA, NH) that graduate their students at the end of ninth grade, making them ready to enter prep school in 10th grade. </p>
<p>This seems a peculiarly NE phenomenon - the only two other such schools are in VA and NY.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for everyone’s responses. Thoughts and take-aways follow:</p>
<p>Terms: Some terms are used in a confusing manner in this thread - if I might clarify/propose:</p>
<p>Admission Rate: The percentage of applicants who are sent admission letters on 10 March. (Sometimes we call this ‘acceptance rate’ because the school is accepting candidates … but that gets confused with another acceptance rate as described below.) Appears PEA’s Admissions Rate runs about 18.5%. If you completed your application, you have an 18.5% chance of receiving a positive response on 10 March.</p>
<p>Acceptance Rate: This is the percentage of admitted students who decide to attend PEA, and runs about 72.3%. </p>
<p>Matriculation Rate: This is Admission Rate x Acceptance Rate, or the number of applicants who ultimately enroll/attend in the fall. From the stats above PEA Matriculation rate runs about 18.5% x 72.3% = 13.4%</p>
<p>So, my child only applied to PEA and, all things being equal, faces an 18.5% probability of receiving a positive response on 10 March. </p>
<p>Moreover, it appears that about 25% of the applicant pool may be ‘academically unviable.’ (I guesstimate this based on other board comments.) Thus because I know my child is ‘academically viable’ I can chance her within that pool as follows: 18.5% / 75% = 24.7%</p>
<p>Thus I am estimating that one of every four academically viable applicants will receive an admission offer on 10 March.</p>
<p>Thanks all!</p>
<p>The thing to keep in mind about bs admissions is that it’s not a lottery. Harkness is a very particular learning environment, and I suspect a kid who demonstrates he/she is oriented toward independence, learning through discussion, expressing him/herself clearly will have better odds than a kid who is more reticent or teacher-centered, no matter how sterling his/her SSAT scores. Likewise, diversity (students from every quarter) is a high priority for the school, so a student from South Dakota or Turkey will have better odds than a kid from Massachusetts or China. More important than the stats in my estimation: how did Exeter feel to your child? Intimidating or exciting? Cold or intellectually stimulating? Too big or less restrictive than other schools? No one seems to walk away from Exeter with a middle-of-the-road opinion…</p>
<p>“The thing to keep in mind about bs admissions is that it’s not a lottery …”</p>
<p>Classicalmama - generally speaking I would agree with the whole of your statement. Among the academically viable applicant pool it is definitely not a lottery. Admissions team is certainly looking for ‘fit’ and a ‘hook.’ They are asking the question “Who do we want to live with and look at across from the Harkness table over the next 3-4 years?” Any of us can put ourselves in that seat and see clearly what they seek. Kids need to ‘fit,’ yet bring something that adds to the whole. </p>
<p>I do think it would be more difficult for New England-based kids to get in because likely their ‘hooks’ are similar to those of their peers, many of whom are also applying.</p>
<p>I feel intimidated by Exeter, yet I love it because I’m a sorta masochist who relishes in pain and blood. Does this make me a weirdo and unfit? >.< T.T .___. (=.=)</p>
<p>inchoatehere:</p>
<p>Following my son’s class, 3 or 4 kids leave sometime during the year or over the summer each year, implying a 1% to 2% annual attrition rate. From what I’ve read elsewhere on CC, that seems to be fairly typical for boarding schools.</p>