<p>Long story short, I'm an applicant reapplying to Phillips Exeter and Phillips Andover for 10th grade, after I failed my application for 9th grade year. The thing is, I'm not feeling too good about my chances- I've been going through some personal issues lately, which've translated into school and other aspects of my life poorly.</p>
<p>I've resolved to fix up these issues by next year's time, and demonstrate good personal growth for an 11th grade application. However, the question still stands- is it worth applying a third time? What would the schools think of me? Would they interpret this as dedication, or obsessiveness? Would my chances be worse compared to someone applying for 11th grade for the first time?</p>
<p>I am a reapplicant also for Andover and Exeter. I think applying a thirs time would look really good because it shows that you really want to get into the schools and dedication that you wont give up until your dream comes true. I don’t think they will see it in a negative way and you have a better chance of acceptance as long as you have good grades and ec’s</p>
<p>11th grade is the most difficult year in boarding school from the academic standpoint. I do not know what your issues are but I would doubt many schools would want to throw you into Junior year and hope your issues are resolved. Not a great game plan if a track record has not been established prior to the application process. Whatever issues, you don’t need to share them publicly, if the admission committee is privy to the info, they may not want to move you forward as a future student.</p>
<p>If you are reapplying, make sure your application isn’t the exact same as the last time you applied. If it is the same, and you got rejected the first time, there is no way you will get in this time.</p>
<p>I agree with SevenDad, Exeter and Andover are two very selective schools, maybe try a backup if you get rejected again, because there are plenty of other great schools out there, some are just as selective, some aren’t, but if you apply to them again for a third time after two rejections, they don’t want you. If you apply three times, you’re going to come off as a little desperate.</p>
<p>Lets be honest, the kid has some issues that are impacting her/his performance. The schools don’t want to take on a problem case so if it is obvious, you can forget about it. Maybe this is not your time, move on.</p>
<p>That’s a bit harsh. If you write about that “problem” in your essays and show how you are overcoming them/ overcame them, that could be powerful.</p>
<p>Mr nephew- When a boarding school accepts a student, they are accepting the whole package and they are assuming responsibility for that child while they are in the custody of the school. Depending upon the severity of the problems, a school is most likely not going to take on a student who is in the process of resolving problems. Their problems become the schools problems . Writing about a past problem is a different story, however, the OP clearly states that their issues are in the present (going through some problems lately). I wish the best to everyone who is applying to school while at the same time people need to be REALISTIC about their chances. This is a great example of “it is not just about ssat scores and grades” there is a much more holistic approach to the admission process. We have two choices- " Tell me what I want to hear" common to this board or “Tell me the truth”. So many people spend so much time searching for approval only to be let down when the results are mailed on March 10. Too many parents inflate the egos of their kids leading them to believe they are superior to their peers. I believe humility is a virtue worth being taught. This world would be better off with a little more humility and a lot less ego.</p>
<p>firstgen - I understand that, and I agree with you completely about your last statement about truth. </p>
<p>All I’m saying is, if fournafish does overcome that problem and can apply next year, that would be a great subject to write about, and could be very powerful. People do get in on the merits of their essay.</p>
<p>11th grade is absolutely the toughest year to make the transition. It won’t be like they are applying to a new school, the history will be there.</p>
<p>Again, I may be counter to the grain, but I think its worth throwing your hat in the ring a third time, as long as you do it with options B and C in hand. I have to say, I am usually a Debbie downer, but DD]s friend got into Noble and Greenough when she applied a third time. She repeated a year. She was someone who did not have great credentials, but what she did have was persistence. I have to admit I was shocked when she got in on her third try. There’s a saying, “third time’s the charm” for a reason.</p>
<p>Can I say something about Exeter specifically?</p>
<p>11th grade, or Upper year as we call it here, is brutal. You should see the dark circles under some of the uppers’ eyes. </p>
<p>There’s the infamous 333 in the spring, start of college applications, etc. etc. The list goes on.</p>
<p>My recommendation? If you do plan on applying a third time, apply as a repeat lower (repeating 10th grade). I’m a repeat, and although there are some really frustrating things about repeating, it also gives you a chance to breathe.</p>