<p>This is where averages don’t mean anything. Deerfield only selected 10% of applicants for 9 th grade girls this past year, by their report.</p>
<p>When it matters to you or your child, averages go out the window. Apparently it was a record year this past year (every year the # goes up) and the % admissions go down. I think several are claiming to be the most “selective” with the lowest average admission rate this past year. Don’t go by averages. Look at 9th vs. 10th vs. 11th and boys vs. girls.</p>
<p>you need to be a coordinator of your own charity campaign, be an international athlete, win professional level prizes, write a bestseller novel and come first place in at least one national/ international science contest, direct a short movie, create your community’s first soccer club or something of that type, you MUST be head of student council at least and you must direct activities as the head. At least you don’t have to win a Nobel Prize. oh, and it helps to be training for the Olympics.</p>
<p>@kc,@maddoog,@samantha thanks, I’ve looked at all of those schools online and I haven’t really found a whole lot in them. I’ll probably apply to choate too but I’m trying to find out what I want before I pressure my parents into it. (that way I can have my facts:) ) @redbluegoldgreen- I guess i sort of agree. % does matter to an extent though. A school that accepts 75% of its applicants is more likely to be a school that isn’t as good as say a 20% selective one because their grades are lower since they accept 3 out of 4 people. Colleges seem to know that if you get into a majorly selective school- theres something they saw in you which makes them curious. Then again this score changes all the time… @snapepotter- You can get in with a great gpa/all A’s, sports, EC your passionate about, great ssat score and a good interview. I know I can get 4/5 of those. I appreciate you commenting but please help by being serious. I understand their selective.</p>
<p>You should look more into other schools rather than deciding Andover is for you because they use the Harkness method. Almost every prep school uses that now, including ones that are in your price range.</p>
<p>Gotta reply here too as Alo I think you need to do a little more homework. There are PLENTY of kids with a great GPA, sports, ECs they are passionate about, perfect SSATs (mine had a 99%ile for example) and unbelievable interviews THAT STILL DO NOT GET IN.</p>
<p>My applicant had all A’s at a well known and well respected school, travel level sports at the highest level for many years (sports that prep schools love), terrific ECs including being elected official for student government, star in the school play, working with disadvantaged youth since age 8 on a weekly basis, started their own business and more. The interviews went so well, we received all sorts of calls and notes about how well. And the essays were so great we received notes from ADs saying they were the best essays they have seen. And so on. Yet on March 10 we had a few acceptances and a few waitlists. It just happens, and great kids don’t get in. It is just that hard.</p>
<p>@facbrat- please read previous post, I mentioned why else I want to go there. @crar, i’ve done my homework and even called andover and thats what they said so don’t be bitter and mean to me. I’ve mentioned I’ve done extensive research for hours and hours for several months. They look for different things so maybe your essays were still fairly normal and your interview didn’t go that well. I don’t know and im not trying to offend you. Its just different for everyone - their EXACT words.</p>
<p>EDIT: I’m sure I can get a 4.0 gpa or 3.9/8 and I’d be in 11 clubs.</p>
<p>You really won’t know if you’ll get into a school until you get the acceptance letter. The application process is like high society gambling, not even joking.</p>
<p>Thanks so much about Hotchkiss! I really am PSYCHED to be going there in September. </p>
<p>KCcansps15 and SamanthaWasHere:</p>
<p>I agree! Those are all definitely schools I would recommend looking into.</p>
<p>Alo1313:</p>
<p>You were asking about schools that give lots of FA? Well, I found a list of schools with the greatest endowments on Boarding School Review which might help…</p>
<p>@facbrat- I know. I’m trying to get all the information though until I pressure my parents or waist their money on apps and fees. I know about the gambling too, sometimes they take risks on students and sometimes they don’t. @luckyduckyme- oh i didn’t see you got into hotchkiss! congrats! I’ve been looking and I think I’ll apply to hotchkiss too, Choate doesn’t do FA for people in my range so thats out of the option though. Thanks for the list!:)</p>
<p>St. Paul’s, Deerfeild, & Hotchkiss are what I’m considering applying to, too. haha:) Do you have to be catholic for st.pauls? I’m not regligous really. I’m christian but not too strongly. thanks again.:)</p>
<p>I don’t think you HAVE to be Catholic, it would just make things easier when you get there because I’m pretty sure you’ll be involved in a lot of Catholic-related activity which might be uncomfortable for you if you’re not into that. </p>
<p>Those are great schools, I’m glad you’re expanding your list!</p>
<p>Don’t be too afraid of the money going into the application process. I told my parents that it was an investment in my education and I applied to 7 schools this year (4 last year) so as you can imagine there were quite a few fees to be paid. They agreed that it was a good cause and didn’t complain too much about the fees, but I still found it easier and felt better paying for a few of them with my own money. Seriously, it’s a great way to show your parents how dedicated you are and show yourself just how dedicated you are. Save up some money and use that towards a few fees. </p>
<p>If you qualify (not sure that you do) you can try and get a fee waiver. Usually if you’re applying for aid you can get a fee waiver if you need it. I was applying for FA, I just never really felt like I needed a waiver but maybe you do. Wouldn’t hurt to ask the school their policies on that?</p>
<p>Make sure you have your parents’ support. Schools interview parents separately from students. At Andover, student tour is separate from parent tour. Visit these schools and research for fit. Ask yourself how you see yourself at that school and how you may make a difference.</p>
<p>St. Paul’s No you quite definitely DO NOT have to be Episcopal. There are many many catholics as SPS. There is even a Rabbi on the staff. Any religion or no religion. All are fine. That is a change from 50 years ago.</p>
