What are my chances at Exeter and Andover?

<p>I just took the December 2011 SSAT for the first time, and I found out about the test itself a week before it started so I did not prep for it.</p>

<p>I scored </p>

<p>Verbal Score 704
(Personal Score Range: 683 - 725, SSAT Percentile 70%)</p>

<p>Math Score 785
(Personal Score Range: 764 - 800, SSAT Percentile 88%)</p>

<p>Reading Score 701
(Personal Score Range: 680 - 722, SSAT Percentile 78%)</p>

<p>Total Score 2190
(Personal Score Range: NA, SSAT Percentile 82%)</p>

<p>In 8th grade, I had all 95+ and an overall average of 97.
I play a lot of instruments and do community service. I was in the student organization as well. I currently attend Stuyvesant High School (will this help me since its pretty well known?). So what are my chances of getting in?</p>

<p>Most of us don’t like to “chance” because frankly, admissions decisions are only partially based on scores. There are too many variables. Overall - the schools average SSAT scores are in the high 90’s but students with lower scores have been successfully admitted.</p>

<p>Overall, though, the chances for anyone getting into Exeter and Andover is pretty low given how many applications they get relative to the number of spots they have available. So make sure you apply to a lot more schools than that.</p>

<p>“Overall - the schools average SSAT scores are in the high 90’s”</p>

<p>Really?</p>

<p>Citation?</p>

<p>Talk about crushing a kid’s dream.</p>

<p>The average reported SSAT score for Phillips Exeter is 90%.</p>

<p>HZ, for some constuctive advice. Sign up for the January test. Do some prep. You will improve to the extent that your scores will not matter.</p>

<p>Okay thanks.
I’m signing up now. If I take the test again, will the read both essays, or only the essay accompanied by the higher exam grade?</p>

<p>the school has probably already received your scores from the first test, and IMO will most likely read both essays just to make sure the writing style and level is consistent. just what i think, by no means certain. (:</p>

<p>Huh? @Weatherby</p>

<p>I told him students with lower scores (sub 90) DO get admitted but the chances of ANY student matriculating are low. How does it crush his dreams when he asked for the truth? But his scores are not competitive for those schools on average - especially with verbal and reading scores in the 70’s. @HZhu picked two of the most “wanted” boarding schools and they decline the vast majority of their applicants - so he/she needs to shoot for a wider range of schools to hedge the bet. Look at last year’s CC stats and the number of students who were denied or waitlisted.</p>

<p>As for quoting BS Review - be my guest. I’m using personal experience with the applicant pool. A large percentage are coming in with scores “over 90” and that’s part of who the OP is going to be competing against. Even more so if he/she needs financial aid. </p>

<p>Good grief, I give the same advice to those with perfect scores. There just aren’t enough spots for everyone who wants to go and a lot of students who only chose those schools were left with no choices at all.</p>

<p>(BTW - @HZhu - Some schools (but not all) combine the highest individual scores from each test. So if you improve on verbal and reading, for instance, but drop in math, they’ll only look at the improvement, not the drop.)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>This is why I hate the Chances threads. </p>

<p>I realize the students may see it as supporting a dream by cheering an applicant on in the chances threads. However, if you’ll be crushed by realistic feedback, don’t ask for feedback.</p>

<p>LOL.
Thanks guys, but I’m taking the retest in January anyways.
Hopefully this time with prep, I’ll receive a score at least within the high 80s.</p>

<p>Which grade are you applying to?</p>

<p>Last year’s avg SSAT percentiles were 94 and 90, for Andover & Exeter:
[Compare</a> Boarding Schools - Boarding School Review](<a href=“Compare Boarding Schools”>Compare Boarding Schools)</p>

<p>@Helloel-I’m applying to 10th grade.
@GMTplus7- So the chances of Exeter is higher for me? </p>

<p>I find it very ignorant to compare the scores of students taking the test this year with the past three years. The level of difficulty is not always consistent, thus the results will not be as accurate.</p>

<p>Your SSAT score will not be something that’ll help your application, but IMO it is not so low to the point that it’ll seriously hurt your chances either. Applicants with that kind of scores do get admitted to Andover and Exeter. I suggest you focus on other pieces of your application and make the strongest case possible. Good luck!</p>

<p>Yes, statistically your chances are better at Exeter, but “better” chances is meaningless in practice. The schools are looking to assemble a smart and diverse student body. It’s a craps-shoot to get into these schools, even if you have perfect scores. Maybe this year the schools get lots of applicants w perfect scores, but what they are lacking is a trombone-playing waterpolo champ. </p>

<p>On a larger issue: as Stuyvesant is already an excellent school, objectively why do you want to go to A or E? Is it is because you want to be in a BS setting? If so, then <a href=“I%20cannot%20say%20this%20enough%20times%20to%20all%20kids!!!”>I</a> * strategically and pragmatically you should cast a wider net. </p>

<p>Too many kids apply only to the the most selective schools and then find themselves burned on March 10th.</p>

<p>I second GMTplus7’s advice of casting a wider net if going to boarding school is a must for you. Many kids ARE burned on March 10th. I scored 2268/98 percentile on the SSATs last year, and I was rejected by Andover & waitlisted by Exeter. No matter how excellent of a student you are, if you only apply to these two schools, there is a very low chance of being accepted.</p>

<p>Hey guys, how was it? got accepted? Im applying this year to Andover, Any recomendations?
this is my candidate profile, could you please tell me if i have a chance for Andover?</p>

<p>Male, 11TH YEAR
Planning to repeat as a boarder.</p>

<p>-Currently attending a private day school
-Not Applying For Financial Aid (that helps?)</p>

<p>Grades: General Score Between 88-97%
(Between Top 5 of my class)</p>

<p>Languages:
ENGLISH, SPANISH AND GERMAN
-This Year Im Taking Greek & Latin Roots</p>

<p>ECs:
Tennis
Martial Arts (Jeet Kune Do 6 Years)
Swimming (4 years when I was little, I´m taking it again this year)
Kapap Courses (Israeli Defense Techniques)</p>

<p>Arts:
-Piano
-School Play 3 Times (2 minor roles, 1 as staff)</p>

<p>Community Service:
-100 Hours At A Local Church (150 BY THE END OF SCHOOl YEAR)

  • 1 1/2 Summers At The Elderly Soup Kitchen (4 Hours Monday-Friday)
  • Visit low income areas, go to the schools there and bring food and toys for the children
  • Volunteer at the “2 days to build a house challenge” (mexico)
  • Team leader at raising funds for the lasallians (we did 2k last year in 2 weeks)</p>

<p>SAT-(WILL TAKE IN NOV) POINTING AT A SCORE OF 1800 OR MORE
TOEFL- (TAKING IT BY OCT) POINTIG AT SCORE OF 100+</p>

<p>@Mexstudent, did u not absorb the cautionary tale from aaralyn? He/she got a 98th percentile score on the SSAT and still did not admitted into either school. </p>

<p>No matter how great your CV may be, IT’S A CRAPS SHOOT</p>

<p>@ GMT, a correction to your post, which incorrectly states Exeter’s SSAT as lower than Andover’s. On Boarding School Review both Exeter and Andover’s average SSAT score is 94% (check your link), which statistically is the highest listed for any schools, and probably cannot get any higher due to ceiling effect. </p>

<p>If anything, Exeter is probably harder to get into, because the applicants self-select for those willing to hand write the many essays and long application involved, rather than clicking “apply” on the common app button - Exeter’s college SAT scores being 20 points higher (also on Boarding School Review) certainly suggests either the accepted students are better test takers or they get that way at Exeter.</p>

<p>Just can’t stand the endless “Andover is best” with inaccurate data regarding same.</p>

<p>@2PrepMom</p>

<p>“If anything, Exeter is probably harder to get into, because the applicants self-select for those willing to hand write the many essays and long application involved, rather than clicking “apply” on the common app button…”</p>

<p>Could you explain a little more about the hand written vs. clicking “apply” on the common app button?</p>

<p>@Distant Dreamer</p>

<p>Andover uses the “common app”, which allows a student to apply to multiple boarding schools (it changes every year, maybe about 10 schools use it now, of varying selectivity), all with the same application. The effort it takes once the common app is done to apply to Andover involves clicking on the “Andover” box on the common app web page. If you’re already there, why not give it a shot?</p>

<p>Most colleges that have gone to the college common application note a 20% increase in applications, for an example of similar data. Columbia is a case in point.</p>

<p>Exeter does not participate in the common app. In order to apply to Exeter, there is a paper application (at least 7 pages) and multiple essays by student and parent, which must be hand written, and the application mailed in. The application is arduous, and one could argue that only the most serious and dedicated students will complete it (which probably is the point of making it that difficult). </p>

<p>This may contribute to observed differences in completed applications and yield. Since Exeter refuses to use Common App, we have no way of knowing how high their application numbers would go if they used it.</p>

<p>One of the schools we applied to is Exeter. I also had questions about the common form and emailed <a href=“mailto:admit@exeter.edu”>admit@exeter.edu</a>. I received a reply from Joan Bergofsky, Information Coordinator in the admissions office which I pasted below (my email and her response).</p>

<p>Also, we did the application online, and my child just completed the two essay questions which were minimal in my very humble opinion. We have also had our off-campus interview but visited the campus over the summer. I don’t think we have missed anything in the process other than waiting for grades, SSAT, optional submissions, and recommendations. We are also doing ‘hidden gems’.</p>

<p>Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2012 11:15 AM
To: admit
Subject: Common Recommendation Forms</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I understand that the TSAO common recommendation form (English and Math) is accepted by Exeter. Is the common recommendation form for the Principal/Counselor also accepted?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Yes, the common school report is acceptable as well.
Joan</p>

<p>Joan Bergofsky
Information Coordinator
Admissions Office/Phillips Exeter Academy
603-777-3144 (telephone)
603-777-4399 (fax)
[Phillips</a> Exeter Academy | How To Apply](<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/admissions/howtoapply]Phillips”>Apply for admission | Phillips Exeter Academy)
[Phillips</a> Exeter Academy Admissions - Ask An Exonian - Exeter, NH - High School | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook”>Facebook)</p>