<p>Hi guys, I'm a 9th grade student attending public school right now. In my 8th grade year, I applied for Exeter, Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, and Loomis Chaffee, but I got waitlisted and then rejected, mostly because of financial aid issues. I'm thinking of reapplying to some of these schools again. What are my chances?</p>
<p>My grades right now are:
AP Biology - 97
Spanish 1 - 100
Precalculus - 100
Orchestra - 100
PE - 100
English - 100</p>
<p>My extracurriculars are competition math and piano, and I scored well on AMCs and have a good shot at the USAMO. I've also won some piano competitions and stuff. Again, we will probably be applying through financial aid. </p>
<p>Getting in USAMO may be your best “hook” if you are Asian, but it is too late for this year admission. I suggest you to add a couple of different schools, such as middlesex, taft, etc. </p>
<p>Couple of things:
1.) Admissions Committee
If you got waitlisted/ rejected last year, then I think that you should call/email/communicate with the Admissions Committee at those schools. The reason I think you should do this is because you’ll know what areas you were lacking that made them wait list you. Whether it be FA, stats, or etc. Then, if you can show them that you improved based on what they told you, you’d show them that 1. you really care about going to that school and 2. that you respect their opinions/critiques.
How was your SSAT/ ISEE stats?
Were your teacher Recommendations good? </p>
<p>2.) Get to know the schools better:
You seem to me that you are strong in math/music so connect with the Math/ Music Departments at those schools and let them know from early on that you are interested in those programs.</p>
<p>3.) Make the Message Clear:
Boarding schools, as well as other colleges, want you to prove to them that you would be able to contribute and fit into their community. The schools that you are interested in are looking for a lot of studious students that would be able to follow the rigorous academic curriculum. </p>
<p>Having visited some of those schools, it is hard for me to understand how a single person would feel an affinity and closeness for each of them. That is, someone who would feel comfortable at one (say Hotchkiss for example) may not feel so comfortable at another (say Andover for example). Do you see what I mean?</p>
<p>Were there some schools you felt more comfortable with? It may be this, more than FA, that resulted in the wait lists. Take a look at what you are seeking and be open and honest in your essays. When you get your AMC scores, you can update your application to add them in; similar for your AIME and USAMO qualification. Good luck!</p>
<p>You know it’s funny, but we recently spent a week touring and interviewing at my daughter’s choices of schools and her “top 3” were Choate, Andover and Hotchkiss in that order - given the differences in the locale, size epmhasis etc. I was surprised at that but there were things at each that appealed to her and I’m trying to respect her choices.</p>
<p>When I went to graduate school, one of the things I did on purpose was look for a program that would give me a different viewpoint than the one I got as an undergrad (Liberal poli sci department vs. conservative), I moved from West Coast to East, from an Urban area to a small town. There was stuff to appreciate in both programs.</p>
<p>So sure, it’s possible to like two schools as different as Andover and Hotchkiss - my daughter does. She’d have a different experience at each. I personally think one is a better “fit” for her but I do think she’d do fine at either. But, I would caution others to be thoughtful in the size, setting and atmosphere that they think would be a good fit and try to make visits so you get a good “feel” for the schools you are applying to.</p>