This is a very chliché topic but what are my chances to Exeter, Andover and Stanford OHS

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hello, everybody. This is my second time ever typing here. I’m currently a 10th Grade student looking to apply to the three schools mentioned above for the Fall 2020 session for 11th Grade.

I am honestly typing this as I currently live abroad and I am not properly aware of the competition for these schools. I will be posting my stats below as I believe that you guys could be suitable judges. I am aware that all three of these schools are insanely difficult to get into.

Firstly, a little backstory about myself. I am an American national currently residing abroad in Pakistan, the last time I studied in a school in the US was back in Grade 4. My parents aren’t American nationals but have studied there for their undergraduate degrees.

Secondly, I’m applying to these schools as I want to shift back to the American curriculum especially as I’ll be aiming to pursue my collegiate education over there, and believe that its best to be familiar with the educational system over there. I am applying to the boarding schools as my family won’t be there and I’ll need to stay in boarding. I am also applying to the online school as an alternative, which would let me study here.

Thirdly, I would like to point out about my current educational system. I am currently studying the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) which is taking by schools following the British Curriculum internationally. It is administered by the University of Cambridge and is standardized for every country. It is a 2-year course which starts in Grade 9 and ends in Grade 10.

My current subjects are Maths (Extended), English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Informations and Communications Technology (ICT), Accounting, Economics and Environmental Management. They are set to be taken in the May/June 2020 session and my expected grades in my transcripts are A’s and A*'s. EM has been taken already in the Oct/Nov 2018 session and received a Grade “A”. I also am the first person in my school to take the “pre-med”, “pre-engineering” and “pre-commerce” groups simultaneously.

Andover and Stanford OHS also require my Grade 8 report which was: Maths (94%), English First Language (92%), Science (92%), Urdu Second Language (98%), ICT (97%), Mandarin First Language (99%) and Art/Design (96%).

For my extracurriculars, it is worth noting that I have no musical/athletic thing to show. Instead I have a few others which I hope can at least (partially) help me. These included:

  • Co-founding and being President of my school's history club.
  • Taking part in regional and national Model United Nations (MUN) events and winning "Honorable Mention" and "Special Mention" awards (no best delegate awards yet)
  • Taking part in my regional Maths Genius of the Year Competition and winning first position (2019) and second position (2018)
  • Taking part in my school's Student Government for the past 2 years and being the Student Counselor (for academic year 2019-2020) and being the Elected Prefect for Grade 9 (academic year 2018-2019)

I also have participated in 2 internships and 1 work-experience:

  • A work experience at a hospital in England with the pediatric surgery department where I got to shadow and watch surgeons, specializing in studying about and viewing surgeries in the abdominal region (liver, kidney, gall bladder, etc.).
  • An internship with my school on invigilation of the exams (I didn't have my exams in that session so I was free at that time).
  • An internship in accounting and finance in a local business.

Furthermore, I am participating as a volunteer in a local orphanage as a tutor specializing in math and english for their Grade 2 students.

I have also participated in a few online courses with EdX, Coursera and Stanford Online Lagunita, currently with 19 course certificates, 1 achievement certificate, 1 statement of accomplishment, 2 statements of distinctions, 3 certificates of specialization and 1 certificate of advanced work. With topics including law, business, corporate management, physics, statistics, classical music, economics, finance and immunology.

I have, as an extra, also submitted files about a very strong hobby of mine, which is providing my interpretation and adding complications to mathematical equations which are generally considered to be simple. I find it interesting because the same equations which are universally considered to be simple can be written in such a way which could be considered to look fairly complicated.

As for standardized testing, I will be taking the ACT in the February 2020 session. Although Exeter and Andover’s deadline is before my ACT exam, both institutions are fine with their candidates sitting for the exam in February. I have been studying for it and have an expected composite score between 30-32.

I will be also applying for financial aid for Exeter and Andover (will require about ~50-60% to afford it), however, I wouldn’t be applying for financial aid for Stanford OHS. I am not a legacy student for any of the 3 institutions and none of my family have studied there.

I believe this is basically a rather detailed explanation. I added the details as there is a difference between my educational system and the educational system of the United States. I look forward to hearing back on some replies soon and honest opinions. Thank you for bearing with me in this rather long prompt.

2

I am not sure of the number of “seats” available to grade 11 vs 9 for an impact on decisions. We also have to assume your testing comes through at a high level. The rest of your post is unique for the level of ECs and your engagement. You are certainly interesting and that comes across more clearly than most of these “chance me” threads. The 1/2 financial aid for Andover and Exeter is not likely much of a negative issue either.

If you were a first year, I’d say you have an excellent chance but that is still no better than 50/50 with these schools, and that is a high estimate. As for 11th grade odds I have no idea, but assuming your scores come through you have as good a shot as anyone else.

So, can’t give you a %, but there does not seem to be much more you could add. You will be seriously considered. Based on your unique academics and experience, I feel acceptance is more likely than not as I found your post very, very interesting and unique, but that is only my opinion as a reader and not based on fact. But best of luck to you.

3

Thank you for your feedback!

To clarify, I am taking the Extended Level for every subject I’m doing in IGCSE (which is the advanced version of their core counterparts). Also, I believe that there is one part which, perhaps, could be a hindrance for me and that is the lack of sports/musical extracurriculars, especially as Exeter and Andover tend to love these kind of qualities.

Unfortunately, these activities aren’t offered in my current institution at my grade. Music is discontinued after Grade 5 for all students and PE, swimming and art are discontinued after Grade 8.

I’m scheduled soon for my interview and I will try my best to hint that I would be interested to start learning a musical instrument or participating at physical sports, (especially as I do enjoy cricket, soccer and table tennis as a recreational activity), if I were to have the opportunity there at their schools.

I believe that applying and having a 1% chance of acceptance is still better than not applying and having a 0% chance of acceptance.

4

Just an FYI for your interviews. If you aren’t going to be a varsity athlete those schools don’t really care that you’re interested in playing a rec sport. When you say they care about sports you are correct, for impact athletes.

What I’d say is something like “since my school stops offering music in 5th grade I’m so excited to go to a school large enough to offer recreational music to students.” “My school doesn’t have sports teams and I can’t wait to play on a school team with my classmates for fun.” That way they get the picture that you’ve done all you can and that you like trying new things.

Honestly with your ECs no one is going to think “why isn’t this kid a varsity athlete (or a piano virtuoso).”

5

Thanks for the feedback, I really found it helpful.

I was considering adding a note with my applications which would say that although I’m applying for Grade 11, I am fine with repeating Grade 10, if the schools believe that is a better option for me.

I’m not sure if I should add it, especially as it may give the wrong impression that I’m desperate or something.

6

I think that makes sense, doesn’t seem desperate, and I believe it’s fairly common.