<p>Errr to correct Aaralyn on the SSAT scores, Andover average is 93rd percentile and I’m pretty sure Exeter is 91st percentile</p>
<p>@kraordrawoh; That actually sounds like a great way to eliminate some of my choices! Thank you so much for the advice. </p>
<p>@Craysian; I was only talking about the schools on my list, but it’s interesting how Andover is 2 percentile higher for the SSAT, but on my list for average SAT scores of 2009, Andover is ranked 11 while Exeter is ranked 1…</p>
<p>Ahhhh, my bad. :)</p>
<p>one way to think about the outgoing SAT scores is - the only score that matters is yours! </p>
<p>more generally, things like the median and the top quartile will give you a sense of who your peers at the school will be. but beyond that, I’d stop looking for numbers and start looking for a place where you really want to be - that will drive a number of positive outcomes (including, perhaps, your outgoing SAT score…)</p>
<p>Good luck everyone with reapplying. If anyone needs info about Exeter starting next year, I am willing to help.</p>
<p>Yes…it is a lot of schools. I’m thinking about cutting out some of them. Just a question for all of you…will you be re-applying to a school that rejected you?</p>
<p>Also, if you see my list of schools above, could you tell me which schools have the strongest music programs? (I know Choate already does, BTW.)</p>
<p>I’m planning to reapply to the schools that I was waitlisted at. I was rejected at Exeter and I’m still debating whether or not to reapply. I don’t think I will though.</p>
<p>@circle: Hotchkiss’ music program is excellent!</p>
<p>I will be reapplying to four of the five schools that waitlisted me. I’m debating whether or not to apply to Andover - they rejected me, but my alumni interviewer specifically told me to try again next year if I didn’t get in… I probably won’t, since I don’t feel that Andover is that much of a fit for me. Not to say that it’s not an amazing school, but yeah… When I once emailed the admissions office with a question, I got an automatic reply saying that they received too many emails and told me to call if I had a question I couldn’t find the answer to on their website. This sort of annoyed me, since all the other schools I had inquired from all had friendly and personal replies, even Exeter, Andover’s main rival. So what makes Andover so high above all the other schools that they can’t reply to emails? Sorry for my rant, and like I said, this does not take away from the school’s rigorous academics and outstanding extracurriculars, it’s just my experience with the school. :)</p>
<p>Ditto… I had the same issues trying to meet the teachers to discuss my interests. They were just too busy to meet applicants, whereas I could meet the faculty at all the other HADES schools including Exeter. May be they’ll find time quickly if a Bush or someone like that calls. I think Andover people are acting elitist. So yah, my sibling won’t be applying there for sure. :(</p>
<p>Yeah…I don’t think I’ll be re-applying to the schools that rejected me…there is a reason why they rejected, instead of waitlisted.</p>
<p>@kraodrawoh-I was already planning to re-apply to Hotchkiss anyway, but thanks for the heads up. That’s nice to know-did you see the music building? AMAZING!</p>
<p>@Circle: I was there for revisits with my D. Truly amazing facilities and very talented staff as well! SPS also has a very strong music program. BTW, as you decide which schools to re-apply, consider whether you’ll be able to meaningfully beef up your application. I’ve found that acceptances sometimes come where they’re not really expected and vice versa. Really prepare yourself to make your case to each school individually as if you were only applying to one school. Reach out to faculty related to your areas of interest and make a point to meet them when you interview if possible.</p>
<p>Kraodrawoh, that was a really helpful bit of information. I feel it’s important to treat each school like your main focus. If you express interest in the school, they will most likely be interested in you. It takes only a little effort on your part to impress the schools.</p>
<p>The character component is becoming more and more important in admission practices since there are more, many more applicants with the grades and scores to qualify for admission. Boarding schools dont want to fill their classes with thoughtless grinds. They want people who are compassionate, respectful, nice, and gracious. </p>
<p>Ask yourself what sets you apart from the crowd and what makes you different than the many others who are applying and focus in on this part of you in your interviews and essays. It doesnt have to be some extraordinary talent or life experience but figure out the thing/s that set/s you apart from the average applicant and make this uniqueness jump off your application and scream to the admission officers that you deserve the opportunity to attend their school.</p>
<p>Good luck to all the reappliers out there!</p>
<p>@kraordrawoh and laughalittle-That was a really helpful bit of info from both of you. Now that I think of it, that might’ve one thing I didn’t do as well as I should…When should I contact the faculty?</p>
<p>@2010-That is a really helpful bit of info. I also don’t think it’s just character-it could be your location, or whether you are truly talented at something. BTW, this might seem a little weird, but for the longest time, I thought you were a girl until I read the clean stats record! Idk why I say this, but just a little heads up-sometimes, people online aren’t who you think they are.</p>
<p>@circle: Timing is a balancing act. You’d like to be able to meet faculty/coaches when you are on campus if possible, so reaching out 6-8 weeks in advance is fine. On the other hand, if you have a specific interest that is really dominant for you (like dance or perhaps a varsity sport) then you might wind up with an ongoing dialog with the program head and would want to reach out earlier.</p>
<p>BUMP… 10 char</p>
<p>Wow, I haven’t been on CC in a while. Anyway, the above posts mention great advice, and I’m sure I’ll come back to this thread to read all of this over again later, when it’s not seven thirty in the morning. 
2010 hopeful, I understand the character factor, but do you have any suggestions on how to possibly really emphasize your character? Something subtle, yet noticeable. And no, I’m not talking about being a ninja. :P</p>
<p>Whatever you do, don’t laugh if they kick the puppy during your interview.</p>
<p>:O What? What puppy?</p>