International student applying to Phillips Exeter/Andover

Prep School Admissions
1

Hello, I’m currently in 8th grade and planning on applying to 10th grade for fall 2021.
My grades are mostly A’s with two B’s. I’m very good in the sciences, english and the arts.

In Sweden we can’t participate in clubs, sports or get higher than standard education so that’s what I have to offer education wise. Though I’ve taken part in every opportunity my school has given me so I somewhat am involved (like a one week exchange to Germany)

I love reading and am currently reading 3 books every week.

I do dancing and tennis, and I compete in disco dance at star level (3rd highest level , bronze, silver, gold, star, superstar, champion).

I’ve won a lot of competitions and usually place in the top 10 out of 100+.

I work at a nursing home where we play games, go on walks and socialize with them every weekend.

I don’t know if you have to do a English test but on the CEF I got c2.

I’m very independent, self driven and optimistic.

I help out at my church a lot on klädbytardagar (people donate clothes and I help with organizing, selling them etc) and a childrens choir.

I volunteered at beach clean ups 3 times

I had prao (unpaid internship or volunteer work that is required by skolverket) at a kindergarten and a restaurant, both for a week.
basically I like volunteering

I’m good at essays and am already preparing for the SSAT.

I know that It’s very competitive and hard to get in, and I do need financial aid which probably makes it even harder. But I’m just wondering if it’s even worth applying.

2

And if anyone has any tips on the essay, interview, ssat prep or application in general I would really appreciate it!

3

@swedishstudent13 I believe your dreams are always worth pursuing! You are in the right place to find tips and experiences. Spend a few hours (which will turn into days or weeks…) doing some searches here. You will learn a ton! The one piece of advice that you will find repeated over and over once you start reading is: apply to more than just two schools. There are plenty of amazing options outside of Andover and Exeter.

4

Essay tips:

  1. Start off with a hook. By bringing the reader in, you get them more interested in you as a person.
  2. Make sure there is no spelling/grammar mistakes.
  3. Proofread it before submitting.
  4. Have someone else look over it for you.

Interview tips:

  1. Dress appropriately. Even if you are doing a Zoom call, wearing the right clothing makes you seem professional.
  2. Better to take time to think than rush and mess up. You can always request for some time to think about the questions without answering.
  3. Have a list of things you want to cover. List of extracurriculars, things you like about E/A etc.
  4. Ask questions too! Although they are called interviews, they are more like conversations in that both parties are supposed to inquire.

SSAT Prep:

  1. Taking practice tests really helps. Not kidding, but taking loads of them will give you hands on experience.
  2. I personally used Kaplan's and Princeton Review and did great.
  3. Aim high, be prepared to take multiple times. Honestly, 80 percentile and higher is good, but as an international getting 90+ is safer.
  4. I believe also as an international applicants you may need to take TOEFL.

Good luck! I’m going to Exeter next year, and if you need anything feel free to pm me.