Philips Academy Andover

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>Although I am a new member to CC, I have been snooping around every so often to get information about PA. And I finally decided to see what you guys think about my chances of getting in to it.</p>

<p>First of all I'd like to mention that I have not taken the SSAT yet. I will do so on December.</p>

<p>I am in grade 9 this year (I live in Canada), and I am looking to apply for PA for grade 9 next year (as I realize that the United States' high schools start at grade 9 and I wish to be as prepared as I can to apply for Harvard).</p>

<p>I currently go to a school named Webber Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is ranked the #1 private school in Alberta.
I constantly maintain 95% + for all of my subjects, and I am the near-top (or even top) of my grade. All my teachers like me, and would be willing to write great letters of reference for me.
I am active in the school's debate club, and I go to every debate tournament I can (once a month). I have participated in the provincial debate tournament last year (my partner and I were the only people to make it to provincials in our school). The provincials were the highest I could go to for my age group.
I also participate in the school's music program: concert band and jazz band. I have been in them for 3 years. Our school's concert band has received the most outstanding band in Alberta for 3 years in a row.
I have also went to a chess tournament representing my school and got third place in the city.</p>

<p>Although I do not do much volunteer work, I have recently joined an extracurricular group (outside the school) called Mayor's Youth Council. That group helps the city's mayor decide on issues regarding its' youths. </p>

<p>I have gotten second place in a math competition before.</p>

<p>I have won many awards for the piano, and have even won a scholarship for it.
I currently play the tenor saxophone and take lessons (this is the instrument I use in the school). </p>

<p>I have also done 7 years of soccer. I have went to provincial finals many times (once again, that is the limit for my age group) and have gotten first place many times. I have also received MVP (one person in the whole league gets it) several times.</p>

<p>I am, more or less, a book worm. Although I have been slowing down, I still read many books - mostly those which are recommended for students who are a year or two older than me. My reading comprehension is very good, but I slightly lack a large variety of vocabulary, which makes me question the SSAT's vocabulary section.</p>

<p>I have been influenced by games before to procrastinate my school work, but I have realized the consequences, and have quit gaming. Games won't be a problem anymore.</p>

<p>Let me know what you guys think. If you believe I am not apt for PA, feel free to tell me what BOARDING school(s) (as I live in Canada) in the US will be good for me. Please note that I am trying to get in to Harvard, so I need some prestigious ones ^^</p>

<p>Thanks for everything,
ytr968</p>

2

<p>/Bump. I don’t know if this is allowed (and if it’s not, I am extremely sorry!) but I would really like an answer ASAP.</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

3

<p>You don’t need to attend a boarding school to get into Harvard. Students get into Harvard, not what boarding school they went to.
That in mind, apply to PA and see how it goes. I hear it’s a wonderful school and you’ll get a lot out of it.</p>

4

<p>Hey layerd,</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply, I really do appreciate it.</p>

<p>Like I have previously stated before, I live in Canada. And I have done some research on Harvard and other Ivies that they accept a much higher number of people if they are from the US. Because I’m not going to move there, I thought I might as well just go to a boarding school. And heck - why not try the best? So here I am now.
What do you think my chances would be?</p>

<p>Thanks,
ytr968</p>

5

<p>You seem pretty solid, but to be honest, I can’t tell. I heard that Phillips is as difficult to get into as Harvard, but you at least have a solid chance of getting in. You might want to look at other boarding schools as well.</p>

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<p>Hey WhaleWhale,</p>

<p>Yeah, I’ve heard that PA is pretty hard to get in to as well. Although I’m going to try my best of getting in, do you recommend any other schools (as backup)?
I know Philips Exeter is good, but not as good as PA.</p>

<p>Let me know.</p>

<p>Thanks,
ytr968</p>

7

<ol>
<li>PA is not as difficult to get into as Harvard.</li>
<li>You got it backwards; Exeter > Andover.</li>
<li>You shouldn’t be looking at schools just to get to Harvard, especially if you haven’t visited H yet and don’t know enough about the school.</li>
<li>other schools almost as prestigious as PEA and PA: Deerfield, Hotchkiss, St. Paul’s School, Lawrenceville, and more (easy to find on the Prep Admissions forum here)</li>
</ol>

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<p>Hey chrome,</p>

<p>I understand that PA isn’t as difficult an entrance as Harvard, but it’s still a pretty hard, no?
Also, the ‘Exeter > Andover’, I believe is controversial. I have seen countless threads and posts even on this site fighting over which one is better. But I will be applying to both PEA and PA to see which one I get accepted to. If both, I’ll probably look at the financial aid.
And regarding Harvard: like I said, Harvard admits more students from US rather than international students (in my case, Canada). So I’m just looking at US schools in general, but rather more on the prestigious levels.</p>

<p>And thanks for the other schools. I’ll keep that in mind :)</p>

9

<p>^No problem. And when I say Exeter > Andover, I mean not by a huge amount. If you take away math (in which case Exeter >> Andover), they’re pretty much equally great academically. As much as students from the two schools like to participate in mutual animosity, in the end both parties know that we’re the top two schools and arguing about who’s better is pretty pointless. I will say that Exeter is definitely more academically rigorous–again, by a not-huge but noticeable margin. Unfortunately Exeter is no longer need-blind for financial aid and has become less selective (19% admit rate this year, yikes), so who knows; maybe in a few years Andover will be better off academically (except for in math lol).</p>

<p>Also, I guess I forgot to chance you in my original post :o I’d say you have a good shot at both schools; a lot of it is luck at this point. That being said, good luck! :)</p>

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<p>Haha, thank you so much chrome! I really do appreciate it.</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, do you know which school has a higher acceptance rate? Or have a higher chance of me getting in?</p>

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<p>Can anyone else chance me?</p>

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<p>This year Andover accepted 14% while Exeter accepted 19% (ugh! lol). Most years, both are ~15-17%.</p>

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<p>Mhmm, I see. Thanks so much chrome! :)</p>

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<p>Ytr: where you go to school (boarding or day) will not guarantee you a spot at harvard or any other school. Besides, you are only in grade 9 - don’t even think about university yet!
Also, don’t get stuck on harvard. There are SO many other amazing schools out there. Don’t get fixated on prestige; it’s a horrible mistake to make.</p>

15

<p>I completely understand that what school I go to doesn’t matter. And I also understand that being stuck on Harvard isn’t good. But I’m just keeping Harvard as my goal, I suppose.
But as I want to get in to a good law school (I am fascinated by politics and law - remember people: debate), I thought Harvard would be a nice place to go.
And because US universities accept more people who live in the US rather than international students, thought I might just as well go to a good school in the US.</p>

<p>And shimmer, what do you think my chances are?</p>

16

<p>American schools base their international quotas on citizenship, not geographic location. A Chinese student that lives in Kansas is still an international student, and still subject to the international quotas. Even then, the difference between American and international students is irrelevant for you - Canadian students are considered domestic applicants for admissions purposes due to various international treaties. In the end, go to your local school, do well there and apply to top schools in the US - there’s no need to waste a fortune on high school, and if you connect with your teachers you’ll have more opportunities there anyhow. No one cares where you went to high school.</p>

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<p>Really? I knew that going to a school in the US won’t make me domestic, but I thought that they accepted a higher number of people from the US, not those with US citizenship. Also, I had absolutely no idea that Canadians are viewed upon as domestic students. If so, I think that may sway my decision of going to PA. I’ll still apply and see if I can at least get in and such.
Also, let’s say I was to just keep going for PA. What do you think my chances are, snipersas?</p>

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<p>I think that you would probably get in, but it depends on how much financial aid you need - since the school isn’t need blind, if your income is too low (and thus grant too high) they will reject you.</p>

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<p>^Actually, Andover is need-blind. Exeter is no longer need blind :(</p>