The Official M10 2019 Freakout Thread

@CaliMex I’ve heard that Thacher’s acceptance rate has been fairly stagnant at 12 percent the past few years, but I think it did go down this year to around 10.5% (My cousin had her revisit there a couple days ago and that was the number she was told by an AO). Minimal difference, but it is still getting more and more competitive. I’m really starting to wonder when schools (and colleges for that matter) are going to start increasing their student population, because it would be really unfortunate if 10 to 20 years from now andover, exeter, choate, etc. had acceptance rates in the mid single digits. I just think at that point there just really is no way to find significant differences between applicants that would lead to an accept for one and a waitlist for another and, IMO, it ends up becoming pure luck for those who are all strongly qualified and fit the school.

@CC4life My assumption was that the acceptance rates are getting lower because more students are applying but they’re admitting around the same number of kids each year.

Jim Ventre said that they’ve had the largest number of applicants this year, which has probably contributed to this all-time low acceptance rate.

The schools we revisited also said they had had the most applicants ever in school history.

Just wait till college!! The schools our daughter is deciding between have acceptance rates in the 4-6% range in regular decision .

I’m not questioning whether those numbers are right or wrong, since I have zero interest in the topic. But I do want to throw out a caveat. Some schools make statements like “We received XXX applications for YYY seats,” which does not provide the data to calculate acceptance rate because you need to take yield into account.

True, that’s probably why it looks so low!

Very happy for you @willmo !!!

Congrats on your decision!

@CC4life Your cousin should be very proud. Did she mention that most of those accepted are siblings or legacies? According to fundraising materials written a couple of years ago, Thacher’s acceptance rate for FP students was closer to 16% at the time, and 9% for applicants needing FA. The overall acceptance rate is usually between 11-12%.

@willmo I’m so happy for you! There is something really special about the SAS culture, community, and “ethos.” Enjoy your BS journey!

I went to Target and purused the dorm section. I am so excited!

I’m so excited!!! Can’t wait to meet you in person!

@YoungThriver …Congrats! i think it looks like u have more aid than tuition because the fees r not factored in.

@harlemgirl121 I think so as well.

Has your son chosen a school yet?

@CavsFan2003 How exciting!! I like to peruse too, even though I’m not going to any boarding school, lol!

On the bright side, I decided to accept the offer from a local day school. I found out that they only offered admission to 19 students!! I am truly shocked that I was one of them.

Congrats to everyone on their decisions! Maybe I will have better luck next year or get off of a wl this year.

@YoungThriver …yes…Lawrenceville babeee!!! AND THANK YOU for asking. My son and I wish you all the best thru HS and beyond!!

Hooray, @willmo ! Terrific choice. I am sure you will have a great experience at SAS!

To the point above about Boarding School Review, it is not always accurate. The schools themselves are a better source of information.

[q]Since PA consistently has a yield in the 80s and PEA’s yield is usually in the high 60s[/q]

@CC4life - PEA’s yield was in the 80s last year, which resulted in a scramble to find living space (intern apartments were converted to dorm rooms, singles turned into doubles, etc). I would be very surprised if they didn’t plan for a higher yield this year as well.

Really? I thought PEA would have a higher yield.