What are my chances for PEA/PA (International)

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hey!

I’m doing this for the (hopefully) last time, since there’s been a LOT of changes to my ECAs, etc.

Just some background: I’m currently an eighth-grader (Year 9) at an international school in Geneva, Switzerland.

I am applying to: (for 9th grade so fall 2022)
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Academy in Andover

I realise I’m rather late to the application, I will submit my Gateway app within November, and am prepping for my interview. I’ve decided to not do the ISEE/SSAT, since PEA/PA are test optional this cycle.

FA: I do go to a private IB school, however my parents receive an education grant from the UN, so I have to be applying for FA wherever I decide to apply to.

Grades: We don’t get ranked, or have a GPA. Just this year we have started getting graded out of 8, in the past we were graded in terms of criteria. My grades have always been excellent, even though there are a few Bs in there every now and then. Definitely mostly A+/As.

Languages:

I speak English, French and Spanish fluently as mother tongue languages, and I’m in my third year of German, doing quite well.

ECs:

Soccer, basketball, tennis, conservatory level piano for 8/9 years, I graduated from a music theory program at the same school with honors, I do LAMDA theater (Grade 3 distinction, and am trying for a bronze medal this year), taught myself guitar, a few extra music classes (improv, electronic music), additional ECs are: History Bee (3 years, leadership role), Future Med club (for students interested in medicine, they bring in guest speakers etc.) Student Council (2 years), and student newspaper.

Community Service:

Our school being an IB school has a Service Action program. I raised money to send “Ultimate Frisbee kits” to schools all across Zambia, and made sure that they were taught to play the sport, including schools for people with impaired hearing, etc. Last year was difficult because of COVID so only thing was a canned food drive, this year am thinking about projects.

Tests:

Tests are optional this year, and I’ve decided to not take them, because taking them involves a trip to another country, and other reasons?

Last thing, I’m transgender (female-to-male), and currently in the middle of figuring out social transition plans etc, which is an awful timeline considering I need to start my application extremely soon. I know these schools have all-gender dorms which I would be very interested in, which is another of the reasons I’m only applying to these two, but will my being trans affect my application negatively, or are there any extra steps I should take? I’m probably going to apply with my legal name and as a female due to how complicated this is.

I think there’s no huge “hook” to my application, it’s more well-rounded with sports/arts, etc, instead of a huge focus on one thing.

My questions:
What do you think my chances are? What should I highlight and what are some tips for my interview? And finally, will my not doing the tests have a negative effect on my application or is it ok?

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

  • Elliot
2

By the way I’m American, Ecuadorean and Swiss so this might add to the international factor haha

3

Hotchkiss also has an all gender dorm.

You are not late with your applications.

All these schools have miniscule admit rates, so if you really want to go to US boarding school, I would urge you to apply to schools with higher admit rates as well. (If you are ok with a local school as Plan B, then never mind).

You sound like you will be an asset to any school, best of luck!

1 Like
4

This shouldn’t be viewed as a “negative” or a “complication”. This isn’t the 20th century.

Use your legal name because that’s likely the name on your school records, and explain it somewhere in your applications. It could be framed as “something interesting about you” or “how you will contribute to campus diversity”.

And, unless you’re totally fine with staying at your current school, you should widen your net.

Why are you interested in these 2 schools? I mean, other than prestige?

5

I think your chances are fine. Nothing stands out as a hindrance to your application but nothing stands out as a huge boost either. IMO it will depend a lot on your recommendations and a little less so on your essays. Will your teachers say you are “one of the best they have ever taught?”

The schools you are planning to apply to have small admission rates - will you be happy staying where you are? If not you really need to apply to more schools.

I don’t know why you think you are late. Late = after the due date, up till then it isn’t late. My kids didn’t write essays until their Christmas break because they were too busy with their current schools and activities.

1 Like
6

Loomis and St Paul’s both have an all gender dorm as well (though Loomis may only be a floor of a dorm).

7

Thanks for your reply- I feel like I will definitely have excellent recommendations and I’m a good writer so should be ok with essays. What could I do to try and improve my app/profile?

8

My number one is definitely Exeter, I really love and think I’d fit in well with the environment. I also wanted a school where I could continue using the languages I speak, as most of them didn’t offer German. I am open to other schools, so if you have any suggestions…

9

I’ve looked at St Paul’s and…somehow I missed it on my initial search but it looks like a wonderful place, thank you!

10

Thank you! I’m adding St. Paul’s and am looking at others.

11

OP is international and needs FA. That could make it tough(er).

@stalecookies I assumed that they chose the schools at least in part because they have all-gender housing. Which makes me wonder whether there should be a sticky with a list of schools that offer this.

2 Likes
12

I think that at this point there really should be such a sticky… Although different schools call it different things, or apply it different ways.

1 Like
13

I was wondering, is “International” to the schools someone that’s not american and applying from outside the US or just applying from outside the US? Does nationality make a difference here?

14

International means not a us citizen. If you’re a citizen living abroad you aren’t an international student. So if you’re a citizen and need fa that’s better than being a true international student needing aid.

1 Like
15

You can’t really do anything to improve your application if you mean starting new activities. What you can do is go over the websites of the schools you’re applying to, including course catalogues if you can access them, and figure out how you fit into this school and what you bring to the community. Then craft your essays and application to show that for each school.

We are trying to impress on you that with schools this selective there is an element of luck, or some unknown factor, that no one can predict. That’s why we advise applying to more schools.

3 Likes
16

Thanks. I am a us citizen so that’s good to hear. I’ve added SPS and Choate, and am looking at Hotchkiss and Lville. I’ll take a look at the course catalogues. Will my taking or not taking the test significantly impact my chances of being admitted?

1 Like
17

If schools have said they are test optional believe them.

18

You could always take the test and submit your score if it’s strong.

BTW - apply to schools with meaningfully higher admit rates. For the moment, your list consists of what amount to lottery tickets (i.e. very long odds). Check the hidden gems thread (though even many of those schools are extremely competitive these days). If you need options on M10, i.e. if staying where you are is not something you want, then apply to some less selective schools.

19

Thank you, I think I will take the test. I don’t need options on M10, I already go to a great school but wanted to get to a prestigious one in the US. I’ll take a look at the hidden gems thread. Also, I thought that if you took the SSAT it’s automatically sent to the school…?

20

It is only likely to affect if if it appears that you’re avoiding it/something to hide. But that would also mean there are other red flags in your application.

Given that your reason for not taking the test is logistical, it should not affect your application if the school is test optional.