Hello, I’m a current 8th grader applying to boarding schools this year. Including Andover, Exeter, Middlesex, and other competitive boarding schools. I am have included 25-40% acceptance rates that I would feel happy attending. Please change me.
Recreational Soccer and Travel Team: attended competitive state-wide competitions
Speech and Debate
3 years
3hr/28wk
Competed in MSQI Tournaments
Co-leader
Math Team
3 years
2hr/21wk
School’s Math Team: tournaments held at MathCounts
Founder and President
Track
4 years
3hr/18wk
Jr. High School Track
Member
Student Government
3 years
2hr/32wk
School’s Student Government
Treasurer (6th grade) and President (8th grade)
Ukulele
3 years
2hr / 22 wk
School’s instrumental club
Member
Food Bank
1 year
3 hr/ 17 wk
Local community service
Volunteer
Rec: I don’t know yet, but I have a close relationship with all of my teachers and my principal had been telling me she would write my recommendation letters since 6th grade, so I hope it goes well.
I think you meant to say that the above listed schools such as Exeter have a 25-40% admit rate(?). Last year Exeter was about 9% or so. I believe you have old information.
Also, are you a US resident and are you applying for Financial Aid? These two often have a large impact on your admissions chances.
Some typos in my response. I meant to say that I have also included other BS schools with acceptances over 25%. I also need full aid, which I know lowers my chances. Moreover, I do live in the US.
You’re right! I am applying to schools with acceptance rates as high as 40%. I get worried while comparing my ECs to others, and wanted to know others perspectives
on it.
Don’t worry comparing yourself to others on here. My kiddo basically had one super time consuming EC and got into a HADES school with FA as an 11th grader. Not a recruited athlete. So take what you read on here with a grain of salt. I read some of these to her and she says “who are these people, I don’t know anyone at my school like them?”. It sounds like you have a well-rounded list.
Thank you so much! I also had a really time consuming activity (tutoring). During covid, I had to take the responsibility of helping my younger siblings with remote classes. That cost about 2 - 3 hours of my day every day from mon-fri. Do you think it will seem “suspicious” to admission officers because of the amount of hours I dedicated to it? I explained it additional info section.
From what I can tell, I think you have a great chance for positive results, assuming your essays and recommendations are good. Though it’s never wise to be overly confident for one’s chances at schools like Andover and Exeter, both of these are need-blind, so your need for substantial aid will not hurt your chances for either.
A general tip for applications and the like: stress accomplishments at various roles, not just your participation, even if in leadership. Did your travel soccer team finish high in a tough division, or win high-level tournaments? How about your debate and math teams? And how have you grown as a person through your involvement? Have you helped others in these groups raise their performances?
Specifically to Andover, they make a big deal about wanting “nice” kids. I think they would think very highly of your helping your siblings with remote classes. Though I wouldn’t make a huge deal of it, I think you should at least mention it so they are aware of it.
Thank you so much for your advice! I also participated in Mastery Collaborative and Model Community Education Council. They both worked on addressing critical issues in public education. Should I list it? Also, I addressed my accomplishments in the awards section.
This is so funny because I was literally comparing myself to you the other day and was shocked reading your extracurricular activities. I think we are unique in our own way. Also, I cannot really tell you if not putting the weeks will affect you. I have no idea, but it usually shows how committed you are to the activity. Wishing you luck!
Yeah, I’ll just add extra information to the supplemental information section for the schools in the candidate statement (although some of the schools don’t have it)
Good luck on your applications though!! You’re an extremely strong candidate and although I’m just another applicant, I believe you’ll get into one of your target schools!
