Possibility of Admission to Phillips Exeter

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi! So I’m a South African, born and raised, and I’m really interested in applying and hopefully attending Phillips Exeter Academy. I’m at a highly competitive private school which is known for their phenomenal academic record and highly professional music department. Though I love this school and have blossomed, I am incredibly bored with the curriculum due to the lack of student-driven intellectual discussion and debate in class. Thus, I feel the need for harkness and the intellectualism which is created in that setting.
So, I have always been a high flying academic achiever, never dropping below an average of 83%. Here’s a quick overview of my academic achievements:

  1. Grade 8 - 90% Academic Full Colours - Junior Division
  2. Grade 9 - 83% Academic Half Colours - Junior Division (de facto full Colours re-award [grade cumulative from grade 8 - 9])
  3. Grade 10 - 88%

Additionally, I achieve high 80s to high 90s for these subjects:

  1. Maths : 94%
  2. Music : 93%
  3. Accounting : 92%
  4. Physics : 90%
  5. English : 88%
  6. Advanced Programme Maths: 90%

I am a debater, who has succeed quite a lot. I’ve represented South Africa Debating at the World Scholars Cup Global Round for which I won numerous gold medals where I placed in the top Scholars in both the World and in Africa. Additionally, I will be representing South Africa at the Tournament of Champions at Yale. Furthermore, my high school debating career led me to KZN provincials and I have won third best speaker in the Durban League. I am the top Debater at my school and I have full senior debating colours and was the recipient of two such trophies.

Musically, I am also strong. I play piano; however, my instrument is voice. I have completed the Grade 6 Trinity Vocal Exam passing with 83% - sight singing… - and I have performed in many shows. I am a classical Baritone, who experiments with Bernstein, Lloyd-Webber and Schoenberg for a little bit of a modern musical theatre twist to my otherwise classical repertoire. Also, I have passed Grade 5 music theory with 84%.

I play a little sport however not that much because quite honestly I have had really bad experiences with coaches and teammates where my more artistic inclination has been frowned upon. So, I usually steer clear from this negativity.

Furthermore, I write for the newsletter; I am Secretary General of MUN; I am starting a newspaper and I have many hours of service from a local charity organization and from a local chapter of the Saint Vincent de Paul society and Interact Club (both of which I am an active member).

Anyway, I think I have given you a rather comprehensive description of my achievements. I would be applying for Grade 11 on Financial Aid. I am aware that they are generous in financial grant for all families under $75000 (even internationals). I realize the low probability; however how do you think my application would fare? Thanks

2

Well, I think you have some +'s and -'s. 83 - 80’s average is low for PEA. How did you do on your SSAT? I think your debating and singing are your strengths. Try to come off more humble and not blaming as to why no sports, and I think the most unique thing about your (your S. African) roots may see you through. But all these top notch schools are highly selective. It would help if you were recruited athlete, legacy, altogether poor, or from North Dakota.

3

Honestly you seem arrogant and your comments about athletics is a red flag for me and will be for schools. Further other than debate, your extracurriculars really are no more exceptional than most applicants. As for financial aid, I dont knnow. I would hope that financial aid would be reserved for US students in most circumstances except very rare cases

4

Thanks you, I do realize that I may come off as arrogant; it is a fatal flaw of mine and it tends to be most problematic in my writing. I really have to work on that, but thank you for pointing that out to me. I haven’t taken SSAT’s yet but we can’t find an exam venue in South Africa so I will be writing the SAT in December instead. The algebra was the issue; however, we have just completed algebra II level maths in AP Maths which I am pretty good at. I’ve pretty much done all the data handling, trig and geometry topics so I’m hoping the test won’t go so badly. I tend to do well in English so the readinng and writing curriculum aren’t too difficult. Oh, and about the sports, it is also one of the things that actually attracted me to Exeter because I’ve always been interested in the sports and wanted to play - willing to put in the hours needed for improvement. It’s one of the things I actually miss in my life. As a young boy, I had dreams to be an Olympic swimmer! So I have a tendency to dream big as well. I love to learn pretty much anything, so I would be enthused by sports at Exeter - at least from what I’ve heard from it. Learning is like one of the key pillars in my life which tends to work well with my many dreams. When I get told to stop learning (or reading) or asking questions - I become stubborn, argumentative and incredibly arrogant. Nevertheless, I understand where you’re coming from and I agree that I shouldn’t try to make unnecessary excuses, especially with regards to sports. I do play tennis but in a club setting instead of competitively. Anyway, once again I find myself writing a really long response, half of which is probably unnecessary. Nevertheless, I am really grateful for this advice! I’m really going to work on that humility… I am all about improving and perserverance, so thank you.

5

This is unrelated, but hey you did world scholars cup too! Good luck in TOC, I qualified but won’t be going :frowning: Either way, have fun, hopefully you’ll get to see that real life alpaca!

6

Be sure to emphasize your willingness to try a new sport/activity and don’t bring up not getting along with coaches. That will be a big negative. You should consider more schools than just Exeter, and also consider repeating 10th grade at wherever you end up. There are very few (if any) 11th grade spots available at most BS and its a very tough year to be a new student.

7

@altablue Thanks, I really can’t wait! I’ve absolutely loved this season. Such a pity you aren’t going though, but it is quite a mission to organize. I had to get my school to reschedule two exams I miss and find sponsors. But its going to be phenomenal and I mean the alpacas are in abundance!! Both real and stuffed… At league debates, I have my mini one from regionals on the podium when I speak. Sort of my mascot. Which Globals did you go to?

8

@GMC2918 I will definitely keep that in mind. The problem with repeating 10th is that I would be 20 when I’d graduate. Technically I am a year behind where I should actually be. My parents kept me back in Grade 0. Do you think that matters? I know my parents are unsure about me finishing halfway through my 19th year, but since I plan to go to an overseas university I am going to only start college at about 19 and a bit anyway. Also, that is the one thing I am worried about is how quickly I will adapt in a highly specialized, intense and motivated academic environment. My current school is rather easy. I get work done quickly and rather passively and have hour after hour each day to read and do online courses in music and economics on EdX and Coursera. Could, I handle the work load? I do do a lot of extended research now on topics we’re studying now. And the classes, are they a lot more intense? I am most worried that my marks would drop badly in the first term. How badly is that drop for two years in their first term? Also, is it difficult to find a group of friends as a new 11th? Thanks

9

Many kids repeat, so I don’t think you’d feel too out of place. I just think that academically & socially it will be much easier to start in 10th, if possible. The workload is substantial (and certainly not “passive”), with about 3 hours of HW per night, plus the expectation that you will be playing a sport, participating in clubs, etc. I’d give it some thought, if it’s a possibility for you.

10

I think you can get in for grade 11, but agree 10th grade might be easier.

11

I went to the globals in Hanoi, since it was the only one that wasn’t during my holidays; albeit, I skipped a week of school for it! I totally understand what you mean when you say it’s a mission to organise, our school didn’t even take us, we had to organise it all ourselves! Hopefully I’ll go next year though, but then again, nothing is really confirmed. Anyways, again, I wish you the best of luck :slight_smile: