<p>This question has probably been asked before, but what's the most important part of the application?</p>
<p>Is it grades, recommendations, essays, SSAT scores, EC's, interview, etc?</p>
<p>Also, will applying for FA hurt one's chances for schools like HADES?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>~boardingjay</p>
<p>@boardingjay,
I’m not an admission officer, so know that my answer is speculation. But, I’ve heard admission officers say that everything in an application is important. In my opinion, I think an applicant’s extracurriculars are the most important. But, I’m not an admission officer so I don’t know that for sure. As for FA, it depends on the school and how much the school wants you.</p>
<p>When I applied to a prep school, standardized test scores were definitely the the most important part of the application.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, guys. </p>
<p>I’ve heard that essays, recommendations, and interviews are the most important part of the application process, but I just wanted to hear more information. XD</p>
<p>Another question: I know that a lot of applicants have, like, a bajillion EC’s. Do admission officers care more about the amount of EC’s you have, or how long you’ve been doing them (showing dedication, etc)?</p>
<p>For example, let’s say Applicant A has 5 EC’s but has only been doing them for about 3-4 years each, but Applicant B has 3 EC’s but has been doing those for ~9 years each. </p>
<p>Which applicant, do you think, would admission officers prefer?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>it’s your FA</p>
<p>Being sexy is the most important</p>
<p>schools look for quality not quantity so applicant B would probably have the better ECs but it would still depend on what they are, awards in each, etc. Also, each part of an application is generally weighted equal but some of the admissions officer reading the apps might think one thing is more important but that depends on the person. In my opinion, the interview is the most important but thats just me</p>
<p>^the interview is most important</p>
<p>eugh…if the essays are the most important, i’m going to drop my deerfield application…
*** @ no word limit essay…</p>
<p>@boardingjay,
One keyword I’ve heard is that boarding schools look for passionate students. One Andover student told me that “everyone here is really good at something.” So, try to be really good at something.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses.</p>
<p>Glad to hear that many of you think that the interview is most important; I had several really great interviews, so this makes me feel a lot better about everything. (:</p>
<p>@snapepotter: What do you mean when you say, “It’s your FA”?</p>
<p>interview if def important</p>
<p>@boardingjay: he means he thinks Financial Aid is the most important thing which is an incredibly stupid thing to say. If a school wants you then your going to get in even if you need FA. Exeter, which is one of the most prestigious schools in the world, has something like 40% of their students on financial aid. I’m not saying it doesn’t help if you don’t need it, but it is definitely not one of the most important parts of an application</p>
<p>@Boardingjay-It depends on what EC’s that individual has-If common, that person has less of a chance. Applicants can also show dedication and passion on the Essays, which is a plus. Correct me if I am incorrect!</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone! (:</p>
<p>my reasoning is this if you do not have good grades you will not get in but almost everyone applying has a 3.75-4.00 gpa so therefore even if you have amazing grads but your recs say you are a bad kid you will not get in. If you have any disciplinaries on your record you will not get in</p>
<p>I don’t really know about other schools but I know a few for the top boarding schools! I’ll list them from important to less important…</p>
<p>Deerfield: Your grades are <em>definitely</em> important. Then, it’s extra curricular, SSAT, and then your essays, and then the rest.
Andover: Your interview, essay, recommendation, extracurricular activities, and the rest.
Exeter: Your grades, essay, recommendation, extracurricular activities, SSAT, and then the rest
Peddie: Your grades, essay, recommendation, extra curricular activities, interview, and then the rest
Hotchkiss: Your essay, grades, recommendation, extracurricular activities, and then the rest…</p>
<p>So if you look at the pattern, you’ll see that grades and essay are almost always on the top… Hope this helped!</p>
<p>For the most competitive schools, assume that all the serious candidates you are competing against all have great grades and high SSAT scores. </p>
<p>Then ask yourself, what makes you stand out from the crowd?</p>
<p>I did my interview with Exeter, and they told me that the essays are the most important.</p>