<p>I'm so excited! I'm registering for the SSAT later today and hopefully planning my tours next week. I'm starting to realize that it's finally happening. All I need to do is to double check with my dad to make sure our financial situation is okay. </p>
<p>I'm not applying for financial aid, so hopefully that will increase of chances of getting accepted. I'm not counting on that to get in, since only 30 - 40% of the students are on financial aid, it's just that it's given me more confidence.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure I've decided which schools I'm applying to. (I think I let you guys influence my decisions too much. lol) </p>
<p>My first choice is Andover. The competition seems so strong there, and that's what I like. There's so many study abroad opportunities, and many, many extracurriculars. Its close proximity to Boston is a plus too.</p>
<p>I have three other schools that I'm equally interested in. My first school is Groton. Early in my search for prep schools, I was quick to cross this school off my list because of its small size. After watching their video on schoolfair.tv, it quickly made me change my mind. I loved how it was so close knit. The academics seem amazing, as well as the athletics, especially the tennis team, which is something I'd like to continue at a school like Groton. </p>
<p>My second school out of the three I'm equally interested in St. Paul's. Their humanities and language programs seem great, but it's far from Boston, which is something that's important to me.</p>
<p>The third school is Exeter. The academics are some of the best in the world, as well as the other schools I'm applying to, but Exeter seems a bit too math and science oriented for me.</p>
<p>I want to apply to Choate and Deerfield, and I'm pretty sure I am. It's just that Deerfield seems a bit far from a large city, and I'd like to visit my family on school breaks and go into Boston on weekends or something, and it seems like that would be a problem since it's so far away. I also want to apply to Cate, but I'm not sure if I can get out to California or not. </p>
<p>Obviously, these decisions aren't final because I haven't been on the tours yet. </p>
<p>P.S. - I'm also looking for a safety/match or two. If anyone could recommend some that are within a decent range of a large city, that would be great.</p>