<p>I'm current a grade 11 student in Canada. Recently I was admitted into Exeter Phillips Academy for my senior year. I understand that not a lot of people go for their last year, the ones who do are usually recruited athletes or PGs, but I was wondering if it would be advantageous for me to go in terms of applying to US universities. If I go I'll be losing several leadership positions, but I'll be able to apply from an American school. However, at the same time, I'll be applying from a sea of extremely qualified applicants, which may make my application seem very "average". I do like the school, and I think it has a lot to offer, I'm just concerned it will affect me negatively when it comes to applying to schools. I have to decide before April 10th, so that doesn't give me a lot of time. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Well, if you're applying early to any colleges, you'll only have 2-3 months for your guidance counselors and teachers to get to know you. Also, Phillips might have a different curriculum than your school, so you might have not learned some things needed to do well in class. You would also lose your leadership positions, and would need to get to know people at the same time as dealing with everything I mentioned above. I wouldn't switch.
But I do not know how much of an advantage domestic applicants have over internationals.</p>
<p>You might want to try posting this in the prep school forum.</p>
<p>Don't switch to Exeter. The loss of leadership is huge. You won't get good recommendations from teachers and counselors you've only known for for 3 months. It may be hard transitioning to a different school for senior year. Furthermore, unless you become an American citizen or permanent resident, you will still be placed in the international pool.</p>
<p>i would do it. International vs domestic is a HUGE difference. Plus you can just ask your teachers now for recommendations, instead of asking the ones at exeter. Plus, GC recommendation is not really significant, and will not impact you since you've only been at the school for a couple months.</p>
<p>But you become a domestic applicant if you're a citizen or permanent resident, not if you attend a US high school. You can't get the green card in 3 months.</p>
<p>But if I've had my leadership positions during junior year, I'll only be losing out on some during senior year. Also, I'll still have sufficient ECs from summer and previous grades, which might help.</p>
<p>I know I wont be applying as a citizen or permanent resident, but wouldn't applying from within the US still be advantageous to applying from Canada? Also, a lot more people get into good schools from these prep schools...</p>
<p>I dont know this is really difficult. =S</p>
<p>Many prep schools are really intense. You need to adjust to the program and the environment from the start to succeed, which is why many student get low grades when adjusting to the environment. The last thing you want is a grade dip on the midyear report.</p>
<p>It is true that more people get into "good schools" from prep schools, but that might as well be a result of them being smart in the first place.</p>
<p>For applicants without citizenship or permanent residences:
If you apply for financial aid or apply to a school need-blind for internationals (Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton, Middlebury), it's harder no matter where you go to school.</p>
<p>If you don't apply for financial aid, internationals are treated about the same as domestic applicants, give or take.</p>
<p>Pick Exeter if you really like the school and think you'll enjoy the final year of High School if you go there. Don't pick it for the purpose of getting into a good college.</p>