Hi all,
Due to parental and other influences I had to cut my original list of 10+ schools to 8. They are as follows:
Choate
Exeter (waitlisted last year)
Hotchkiss
Deerfield
Lawrenceville
Mercersburg
Loomis
Grier
possible 9th school if I can squeeze it in. It would probably be Groton.
Does anyone have any feedback on this? I’m applying as a 10th grader so I know that it’s a bit more competitive. Thanks!
What’s the highest acceptance rate on that list?
Without knowing a couple of the % off the top of my head, I’d say you may be setting yourself for disappointment come M10.
Groton is extremely difficult to gain admission to, so adding it doesn’t really improve your overall odds.
I would add at least a couple of higher acceptance rate schools. While on the surface you may look like a shoo-in for Grier, sometimes “safety” schools reject if they feel they are being used purely as a safety.
I believe Grier is 50% and the next highest is Mercersburg at 33%
What are your suggestions as to changing the list?
That makes sense, I’ll take that into consideration
I would, but I can only apply to 8 schools in total. Do you have any suggestions as for which ones to remove/add? I’m open to all schools that are at least a mid-sized school or small schools that have something to compensate for the size (since I’m a humanities kid, a great humanities program would be preferred)
Thanks!
If you aren’t looking for small schools, why Grier? I personally would substitute Grier for NMH. I think it’s a great school and has a lot to offer. I would also substitute Hill for Choate. It has what you are looking for, but it’s very similar to a lot of schools on your list.
I’m probably biased because I’m going to Hill, but I think it is a great school with a lot to offer.
I’m glad Mercersburg made your list.
hi! i’m a current student at choate so i know a little bit about boarding schools. your list looks great right now. the acceptance rates of the schools you’re looking at range quite a bit. i honestly believe it’s what you’re interested in getting out of your high school experience and what your own stats are but if you don’t plan on removing any of the first eight, i think taft and milton are great options too. if you want to know a little more about choate as well, i’d love to give u some info
Mostly because of the location; Grier is a lot closer than some of the other schools. But honestly after reviewing it with my family it’s not that big of a factor. NMH was on my list originally but got cut out, so I’ll take what you said into consideration!
Choate is actually my top choice, so I think I’ll keep it for now. Hill does seem like a great school though
I actually went to the school for an in-person tour! I loved the campus and the staff members were super nice too.
I think you have done a good job of adding schools that are less selective. It’s not clear from this list what you are looking for but I am assuming since you are doing this for a second time that you have worked that out!
Agree with @gardenstategal that it’s hard for me to get my arms around what you are looking for, but you may have your own criteria that just aren’t apparent to me. (Exeter and Grier do not seem to be cut from the same cloth, for example.). Also – just one girls school, which seems to be “less like” the other co-ed schools than some other girls’ schools might be.
Finally, I don’t think that Grier and MB really cover the bases on having some higher-admit options. I might suggest another school north of 30%. Also, I might make sure you visit Grier before pinning all your “high admit” chances on a school that is so different from the others on your list.