<p>Which school did he decide to attend, NewEnglandDad?</p>
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<p>You won’t have the recommendation letters to give them until after September, so you’ll have to ask your 8th grade teachers write them. But I think you could give the extra rec letter to one of your 7th grade teachers. Correct me if I’m wrong :/.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html?</a> <– It’s not completely reliable, but you’ll have an idea.</p>
<p>My daughter asked a former teacher to write a supplemental recommendation because he knew her over several years and had taught her sister as well. Don’t flood admissions with a lot of extraneous stuff, but if you feel you need the help, I don’t think it’s out of line to ask a previous teacher or principal to write on your behalf.</p>
<p>He chose Andover.</p>
<p>NewEnglandDad-
Would you mind telling us why your son chose Andover over Exeter and SPS?
And, did you have the same decision with your son’s or not? If not, would you please share your view for the respective schools as a parent’s perspective and decision making processes in your family, if possible?</p>
<p>Like many others have posted on CC, it came down to fit and feel. All of the schools he had considered are great, and from an academic standpoint the differences seem imperceptible. Any one of these schools would provide an outstanding education, offer many club and extracurricular opportunities, and have fantastic college placement.</p>
<p>Son’s perspective - Fit came down to what would meet his personal needs: great academics was a requirement and all offered this; he wanted large school (did not want to outgrow a small school); Andover was a little closer to home, which would facilitate continued participating in club team outside of school; Andover has very few Saturday classes which would faciliate participation in club sport tournaments; has friends at Andover; and Andover has great athletic programs for his sports of choice.</p>
<p>The feel was hard to put into words. He did not get a bad feel from any of the schools to which he applied. At one point, one of the other schools was his top choice. After revisits he felt most comfortable at Andover. I can’t describe why he felt more comfortable by saying one school had more of XYZ characteristic than another school. For example, it would be off-base to say that Andover kids were more friendly than ABC school’s kids. During the entire process you might personally meet 10-20 kids between tours, visits, classes, watching games, etc. That’s such a small number to draw a conclusion. This point actually addresses why he liked big school–there are enough kids there that he could meet and make friends who share interests.</p>
<p>As parents, we were a bit torn. From a comfort and nuturing perspective, a small school was very appealing. Other than that, we felt comfortable that all of the schools offered outstanding academics. From an athletic standpoint, there were pros and cons going small or big, and that made this somewhat of a toss-up. We liked all of the schools after revisits. Of his big school choices, we preferred Andover. Logicistically, Andover works best for us as well since it is nearest to home. We are thrilled with his choice.</p>
<p>I hope this gives a little insight into one family’s process.</p>
<p>Try not to be like every other overachiever in the world by just looking at Exeter or Andover. I, luckily, did apply to other schools, and, even when I was accepted to one of them with full FA, the “feel” of it did not complement my own personality so I chose to enroll elsewhere. Yes, kids, that actually does happen. GASP!
Everyone here is right about EC’s; quality, not quantity, matters.
And generally, I would like to tell people who ask me to “chance them” that instead of asking people who do not have many years of experience under their belts to predict their fates, you might try a radical idea - WAITING UNTIL MARCH 10TH. I’m pretty sure that that’s going to be a bit more accurate and less of a time-waster.
In conclusion, I would like to quote this statement: “I am naturally smart and do not study often. I manage to get 95+ scores on all tests without studying because of my great ability to listen, and memorize.” Try not be so arrogant next time, okay? You may be, but this is actually pretty common among intelligent kids. I’ve got absolutely nothing against you, you seem like a really smart and talented guy and maybe someone I would even befriend if I knew. But fix this facet of your personality. ;)</p>
<p>It actually isn’t that hard. I got in to exeter while being ranked (in a normal public school) 136th out 392 in my class. I did the application essays the night they were due even though I am a horrible writer.</p>
<p>I thought I would put my two cents in. </p>
<p>I applied as an 8th grader incredibly unprepared and set on only 4 schools, very similar to Blackeast. I thought that relying on good grades and many interests would get me into my schools. I wound up only being accepted to one and upon revisiting really couldn’t see myself there. I chose to stay an extra year and apply to be a sophomore this year. Taking this year, I have taken on more leadership roles at my school (proctor, captain of my cross-country team), and have matured so much. I feel like a very different person than the one who applied as an 8th grader.<br>
I have found things that I am actually passionate about. I am much more involved in athletics, something that I didn’t know I could be good at. I thought that because I wasn’t one of the kids who had been playing tennis since they were 3 I wouldn’t be able to compete with them. I have developed better relationships with my teachers and had a few personally life-changing experiences (cliche I know) and I now feel closer to an adult than to a child.<br>
I think that Blackeast should try to apply for this year, the experience alone is worth it, but understand that the process is hard and they might hit some bumps along the way.</p>
<p>Also, I played piano for 10 years before I quit, since I felt that I genuinely enjoyed cello more and could stand to practice for that hour and a half every day and be happy about it. I now play for fun only and have a few pieces that I work on when I have time because I miss it. Sight-reading in only 1 year at “moderate tempo” doesn’t seem realistic for some reason. Maybe you mean that you are sight-reading your material, but I would never say that I could play something well after only two runs through it. You must be a prodigy. A family friend is probably genuinely a prodigy, he will literally beg his parents to play for 6 hours a day at 10 years old and is in Lang Lang’s master class. He was on Oprah for his talent in piano and he is probably the only person I have ever met who can say point-blank that he could sight-read whatever comes before him well.</p>
<p>Almost there, despite of your class ranking or because of it? Why do you think Exeter aceepted you is probably more helpful</p>
<p>You heard of Lang Lang? The Chinese pianist? Wow that’s good! I admire the way he plays but not Lang Lang himself. He has a show every three days on average(that includes flying all the way from the States to China). His dad said Lang Lang should make money when he was young and was able to travel. The more, the better. So he’s like a piano robot now to me.
(are you talking about the Chinese guy? Can’t believe people know him in America!)</p>
<p>Blackseat, I genuinely don’t think so. You have to provide us with some standardized test scores or notable competition prizes. And you need to play more piano.</p>
<p>gonnastop, Lang Lang is well known all over the world, (to pianists, anyway 
).</p>
<p>Really?! Well…fine. He got what he wanted after doing 150 shows a year.</p>
<p>What grade are you in now?</p>
<p>Haha, Lang Lang did a show in my county two weeks ago :)</p>
<p>He was in Shanghai last week for the Expo. Before that, he was in Beijing for some charity program. I saw him in Portland, OR back in 08. He’s signing his books. Haha that’s just SO funny to me. I heard that people who travel across different time zones way too often are very likely to have poor memory.</p>
<p>I know Lang Lang (well heard of him) and I don’t even play the piano…I play the viola.</p>
<p>Dear College Confidential posters:</p>
<p>I am sorry, I really never meant to place myself.
Every so often, I have a great epiphany.
Boy, 5 minutes ago, I just had a great one. </p>
<p>I made this post 2 months ago. I didn’t realize how arrogant and conceited I am. I can reflect back so many situations, today, yesterday, last week, last month, years back where I was cocky, and a fool.</p>
<p>I can’t sight read. I only thought so because I didn’t have the correct definition of it. I thought of it as being able to read sheet music easily. I never saw the minimum or maximum of what music is called. I thought I was playing the grand composers pieces, but I only played the shortened and noob’s (hehe) version.
I never meant to offend anyone.
Apologies. </p>
<p>I also have a paradigm shift on the idiom “Quality, not quantity.”
I remember for questions about lengthy essays asked to my 4th grade teacher, she replied the same way.
I finally grasped part of the powerful phrase.</p>
<p>Luckily, I do have EC’s that means so much to me. The funny thing is, I haven’t even “Officially” started them.</p>
<p>Math - Strange, but I love doing math ever since when I was little. I am going to try the high school league since it is the only one offered. </p>
<p>Basketball - I have witnessed and been victimized of racial choices in basketball 
I am ready to change that.</p>
<p>Running - Running is my healthy get away. There are places where you can solve emotional problems, but running is what blows off my steam.</p>
<p>Piano - I am going to develop working on playing by ear more. That is the genuine reason why I wanted to play piano.</p>
<p>Lacrosse made me aggressive?</p>
<p>I will probably make only one more chance post, at least not for 4 years (college baby, if I go to a BS or not).
Hopefully, when I do so, I would have had that moment, where you physically feel the change in perspective.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me about how the Princeton Review Cracking the SSAT helped you in the SSAT?
Thanks.</p>
<p>The Princeton review is helpful, particularly for English–good vocab and root lists. The Kaplan guide provides explanations for math. The official SSAT guide is good for practice tests right at the end.</p>
<p>There’s a strong correlation between math and music ability that has always fascinated me.</p>
<p>Good luck in your applications!</p>
<p>I myself am a 7th grade asian trying to get into Exeter/Andover. I think community service would really help. I have worked every saturday at my town’s food bank. Also I have bought some SSat prep books. I am from a small town and there are not many good private schools around so I have to go to public school. I think we would both have a chance but I would definitely apply for some other schools as well.</p>