<p>I am more than excited to being introduced to the boarding school culture! In October I visited 5 schools and only applied to two, exeter and Andover ( hehe big mistake). Having been rejected from both, I have brushed myself off and am ready to try again. I will be attending EXETER summer SCHOOL this year, and contrary to my username I am going to apply to multiple prep schools.However, exeter is my number 1 choice. What does the Admissions team look for in a re-applying applicants? My tests scores were definently not in the 90's, any recommendations? Specific test prep booklets you may have used? When I arrive at exeter for the summer school what should my intent be? I have heard that if kids who were accepted do not choose the school they will pull from the summer school kids ( for this year), is this true? If I am accepted as a sophmore will I miss out ? what about re- applying as a freshman?</p>
<p>overall profile:</p>
<p>sport: SOCCER</p>
<p>languages:fluent in french, studied latin for 2 years and currently studying german.</p>
<p>gender: female</p>
<p>SSAT scores: ............ not the best, working on it</p>
<p>As someone who knows nothing secret about admissions, I can only speak as someone who got into both Exeter and Andover. I can tell you that my ssat was only 1 percentile above Andover’s average (94) and that I have only one real impressive extracurricular which I quit 3 years ago. Overall, I had nothing that made me stand out except for one thing, my interview. I interviewed with Michael Gary, the admissions director, and just tried to charm the hell out of him, to be as blunt as possible. At the same time, I gave an honest answer for every question, it’s just so much easier to give a good honest answer than a well thought-through even white lie. So, I’m good with conversations, that’s my thing. I’m lackluster by E/A standards in everything else, so I would encourage you to find something thats your thing. It could be sports, ssat, interview,essays, what-have-you, but make sure that you show the admissions people something really just amazing about you. I think we can all find something incredible in ourselves, so I urge you too look for it ;)</p>
<p>i got accepted at Exeter and waitlisted at Andover and I don’t believe I was an extraordinary candidate. My ssat was about a 97 and I have a 3.9 unweighted 4.1 unweighted gpa. I’ve played violin for 11 years but that’s not too special since a lot of people play violin or piano. I had a few sprinklings of fundraisers and events that I planned and organized and a peer education program. I’m not even that great at sports. If there was anything that got me in, it was my interview. I felt that it went extremely well (I did it with an Exeter alum). Also, I felt my essays were the best out of all the schools I applied to because they asked me about my passions and I felt more connected to the piece. But a piece of advice, I got waitlisted at Andover and Hotchkiss last year (the only two schools I applied to) and this year I added deerfield and exeter to the list along with the other two. I got waitlisted everywhere (even the schools I was reapplying to) except for Exeter where I got accepted. The only thing I improved on my application was my ssat score which when from an 87 to a 97 but I hardly think that really matters to the admissions team. I think they’re really looking for a good fit for the school, someone that really matches. I didn’t realize how similar I was to the school until I went there. So you should definitely apply to many different schools, you never know which one you’ll fall in love with.</p>
<p>Personally, you sound great. I don’t know your financial aid situation, but I know that effected Exeter’s admissions greatly. They rank their applicants on a 5 scale (1 being the best.) Anyone ranked as a 2 who also needed financial aid wasn’t admitted. That’s what I heard at least. </p>
<p>Nominally… They seem to be expensive and schools do not want to see you go to a plutocracy based program. However, they give you a feel for the school (though they may be deserted in the summer) and the teachers. If you impress a teacher and he/she writes you a rec, that may give you a leg up.</p>
<p>I think it helped me a little coming in because I could say that I’d spent 2 weeks without my parents which assures them that boarding isn’t going to be a complete disaster and it’s also a good way to answer: why boarding school?</p>
<p>Being accepted in any year is good. I can barely remember who came which year. Many came as PG’s (after their senior year in HS) and are still considered full members of the class. The longer you are there, the more teachers you get exposed to, but your classmates will accept you in any year. Good Luck.</p>
<p>In my case, I skimmed through a prep book and took one of the practice tests about three weeks before the real test. Then, two nights before the real test, I took the second practice test in my prep book. You can’t really study for the SSAT since it’s an aptitude test, but what will help you is at least knowing the format of the test and how you should pace yourself.</p>
<p>Learn some techniques for the sections as well. It never hurts to know multiple choice tricks and tips on how to go about the reading section: in particular, read the answer options before you read the sections. That’s really helpful. But don’t overdo reviewing by, say, buying a “Hot Words for the SSAT” book or by trying to cram in and memorize a ton of Latin and Greek roots. You’ll just be burned out for test day.</p>
<p>Thanks, my reading and verbal scores have always been drastically higher than my math scores!! Is there anyway too prepare for the math section? Also, does anyone know what are the books that students are reading freshman year at Exeter?</p>
<p>What I’d definitely advise AGAINST doing in preparation for the math section is memorizing a ton of formulae. I had a friend who did that and ended up scoring quite poorly. The best thing to do is do some practice problems and double-check your work to make sure you really understood what the problem is asking for. Some of the questions require more than one step and are worded differently than one might expect, so it’s important to read and reread the problems.</p>
<p>Take the test and hope for the best. Its what I did, going over some simple math techniques will improve your score. Also if you didn’t get 99 on the reading section I would move a little quicker and make sure you can check everything, rather than going slow and making sure everything is right.</p>
<p>That’s what helped me rise my score drastically.</p>
<p>I did nothing to prepare for the SSAT math section except go over basic stuff. just to review, make sure there is nothing essential you have forgotten! i used the Princeton Review SSAT Book, and just basically went through that (skipped the reading section,) like in a month before the test. I think it helps you feel more comfortable and therefore do better if you know exactly what to expect. Good luck next year!</p>