<p>Hello there everyone. I guess I am screwed. I am a 10th grader applying to Exeter. Did I mention that I am also requesting FA and my grades are not perfect? I mean, this is something I really want and I have been spending months working on my essay and I am spending the entire break studying/getting ahead as well as editing these essays. I will probably be rejected and I need some help to accept it. I honestly don't know if amazing teacher recommendations would help. I don't know if an excellent rec. from a guidance counselor who thinks I am some brilliant kid will help. I don't think I have very much to offer Exeter, but I guess the admissions committee will be the judge of that. </p>
<p>I am very excited for March 10th yet I am dreading the day. The funny part about this entire process is that a guy in my school is also applying although he cannot write an essay and his grades are dreadful, and he doesn't take a single honors/AP class. Do you think that this will make the committee laugh at my school? Oh God. I have tried to sit myself down to cry so that I can let it all out before M10, but I just can't cry. In fact, I smile. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>I also think my PSAT is too low for Exeter.....</p>
<p>Anyways, I was wondering if anyone out there could share their story. I just want to hear about how you went about with this application process, whether you had been admitted or denied a spot to a boarding school. I also want to see if there is anyone who had been in a situation similar to mine. Oh my Lord, I am a nervous mess. Now I am going to go listen to some Cat Stevens to calm down.</p>
<p>You don’t sound as if you think you are a viable candidate, so I am curious as to why you have set your sights on Exeter… Which is a school that admits only a very small number of students from a very large pool of highly qualified applicants. Especially since junior year is the most challenging at prep school, and even more so for those new juniors, you might want to do some soul searching and think about applying elsewhere, if attending boarding school is what you’re after. Better hurry, though! Good luck.</p>
<p>If you live very close to Exeter, I can understand its being your one and only, but otherwise, as Cameo said, you may want to give yourself more options. If your teachers and counselor think you are a brilliant kid who should go to Exeter,you are a brilliant kid who should go to some great school. You need to give yourself a better chance for that, and there’s not much time left to do it.</p>
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<li>BREATHE. I know this process is stressful, but you have to realize that BS is not the end all be all. There are many people who don’t get in and do just fine in life. Even if you don’t get in this year you could apply for a repeat year or your junior year if you really want to go. Maybe expand your window of schools you apply to. It sounds like you are only applying to Exeter and I believe that is a dangerous choice. I’m not saying you can’t get in, however it would be a good idea to have some safeties or at the least other schools that you’d be just as happy to attend.</li>
<li>I applied as a 10th grader and ended up getting into my school of choice. I absolutely love it there and cannot not imagine going to any other school. </li>
<li>I didn’t have high SSAT scores or perfect grades but you don’t have to to gain entrance. I also applied for FA and while I didn’t get it I did gain entrance.The way I see it is when they accept a new class of students, they accept them with the assumption that they will fill spots that the previous year’s seniors held. For example last year the varsity football team lost 5 boys; this year they gained 6 from the new people in the freshman, sophmore, and junior classes. I can personally attest to the fact that not everyone at my school is a genius who got in because they had perfect test scores or grades. I can also attest to the fact that everyone got in because they brought something to the table that the school sought out whether or not it’s academics. So stop worrying! </li>
<li>Throughout the application season last year I was always worried about the end product(getting into a school). Honestly I believe this hindered me because I focused more on March 10th and what I would do if I didn’t get in than I did on making my application its absolute best. So for right now just worry about making your application great! March 10th will come faster than you think :)</li>
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<p>If you have any questions feel free to message me!</p>
<p>Thanks, you’re really kind and helpful!! Love the username btw. I would apply to 2 more schools which are a part of the Ten Schools, but I think it may be too late and I have no idea how I am supposed to get my teachers to re-do recommendations since the clock is ticking.
Thank you very much for your post. It has somewhat calmed me down. I’ll remember to breathe.</p>
<p>It’s late to be adding schools now, but not too late. </p>
<p>2 years ago, we started the ENTIRE process after xmas: 2 weeks to do apps, essays, teachers recs, SSAT. Registered for SSAT a wk before Jan test date. We got permission for later interviews, then jumped on a plane after submitting the apps by the deadline. I don’t recommend this unless u enjoy making yourself insane, but it is physically possible.</p>
<p>No, we didn’t have a clue what we were doing. We were completely new to the process, and muddled through it all like the Three Stooges. It was a miracle S1 got admitted anywhere. </p>
<p>My point is that there is still enough time.</p>
<p>Don’t worry! The admissions officers are the ones who decide whether you will get in. And not getting in isn’t a reflection on you. Sometimes it’s a matter of “we need an underwater tuba player” and you happen not to be an underwater tuba player. So don’t worry. Just keep working and hope for the best.</p>
<p>Haha, the underwater tuba player. Thank you very much for the reassuring words! I will definitely take your advice. I have expanded my pool and I think I know what I will be spending every free second doing.</p>
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