My chances of getting into a top prep school?

Prep School Admissions
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<p>Hi guys! I'm new here and I know that you've probably seen this a hundred times before, but I want to know my chances of getting into Exeter, Andover, or Deerfield.So I'm just going to cover everything here, be as harsh as you want to be!! (I'm entering eighth grade this year and Andover is my dream.)</p>

<p>Grades: Mostly A's, maybe two B's during seventh grade. I have never gotten 'bad' grades, but once in sixth grade I got a C based on a lopsided online grading system. This was when I went to public school in Yakima, a small town. Now, for seventh and eighth grade, I go to Lakeside School in Seattle, and I was wondering if that would factor into the decision.</p>

<p>ISEE/SSAT: I do pretty OK in these, the last time I took this was when I was in sixth grade applying for Lakeside. I had to take the 7/8th grade test while going in to seventh grade, so please don't judge based on these scores! :( Not to mention 6th grade was my off year.</p>

<p>Reading Comprehension: 99th percentile
Math:99th percentile
Quantitative Reasoning:89th percentile
Vocab: 87th percentile</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
This is a tough one. I do so many extracurriculars but I'm not stellar or even extraordinary at any of them. I've struggled in the instruments I've played and don't even start about sports.... I'm still pretty lousy at them except for volleyball and tennis.</p>

<p>Tennis
Volleyball
Rowing
Cello
Piano
Saxophone
Math Club
Debate</p>

<p>Awards:
OK. (Just wondering, do you have to write WHEN you got these awards?)
2nd place regional math
9th place regional math
9th place state math
10th place state math
Schoolwide 1st place photography award
And I'm also doing the spelling bee this year. I've always been great at spelling. In my old school I doubled the number of perfect spelling test scores. I'm also aiming for the GeoBee. :D</p>

<p>Essays: They've been my strongest point. I LOVE ESSAYS!! And for Andover, you have to have a graded essay, which will be awesome. (:</p>

<p>Recommendations: I could get really good recommendations from teachers. </p>

<p>Interview: I did well in my last interview. I have a strong personality, and I really like to express my views by talking to adults and striking a conversation :).</p>

<p>Thanks! That's it, I would really appreciate some answers!</p>

2

<p>You may want to repost this in the “Chances” forum.</p>

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<p>Thanks!! (As I said, I’m new here.) :)</p>

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<p>And in case anyone DOES come here, if it matters, I’m Indian-American, go to India and volunteer, and have also volunteered for a Food Bank (But it was for school…)</p>

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<p>I would encourage you to go read the Thread posted at the top of this forum - “if you’re new . . . “</p>

<p>Most important: please DO NOT disclose any information that would make it possible to figure out who you are. You should not disclose your name, where you live or go to school, or any other info that would be so specific to you that an admissions officer looking through these forums would be able to match your application to what you post here.</p>

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<p>+1 on what mountainhiker said. You have already disclosed far too much…</p>

<p>As for your chances, realize that the schools in which you express an interest have rates of admittance in the teens. This means 80%+ of applicants get rejected. Do you think you are in the top 15% — of not just your age group — but the elite group of applicants who are applying to these most selective schools? Either way (yes or no), you have as good an answer as anyone who is not an admissions officer could offer.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind that being an Asian or from the Indo-Pak Subcontinent may put you at a disadvantage in terms of admittance. The schools try to preserve some balance of ethnicities and there are MANY straight-A, math contest-winning, cellists of Asian/Indopak heritage.</p>

<p>You do have at least one thing going in your favor (in addition to whatever other strengths you bring): geographic diversity. Many applicants to the most popular New England schools come from the East Coast or California.</p>

<p>My apologies if I come off as overly pessimistic…but I think many prospective applicants and families are deluded about just how difficult it is to gain admittance to the most selective schools.</p>

<p>The schools you mention are great schools. But they aren’t the only schools. And they certainly aren’t the only schools “worth going to”.</p>