What are my chances of getting into Andover, and what are some safety schools I should apply to?
I am currently a 9th grader and live in Australia and I will be applying for 10th grade 2018
Grades
Mostly A’s, one or two B+
I am in extension math, science and English classes
ISEE
I haven’t taken the ISEE yet, however I am getting high scores on practice tests and I estimate around the 90th percentile
Sport
Fencing
I have represented my school at a national level, have won state championships in my age group and I was awarded fencer of the year in my state in 2015
Ice skating
I do figure skating as a recreational activity
EC’s
I do regular volunteer work for a charity named “Variety”
I also volunteer at my school whenever I am free and there is an event. (e.g bake sale)
Hook (?)
I am polyingual and can speak 3 languages fluently (spanish, english and chinese)
I also love the Latin language and have have previously taken french for 2 years
I am Asian but I was born in South America and lived there for 10 years, then I moved to Australia and have lived here for approx. 6 years.
Awards
Australian math competition: distinction and high distinction
Icas science competition: distinction and high distiction
National Latin exam (intro and I): oustanding achievement.
Thank you so much for reading this and any advice and safety schools I should apply to would be great
Have a nice day!
This is very impressive! Will you be needing financial aid?
@cababe97 I would prefer financial aid, but I am willing to pay full fees. Do you think I should apply for financial aid or will it damage my chances of admission?
Tenth grade is technically harder to get into than freshman year, so that may lower your chances. Financial aid is extremely difficult to get as an international applicant, domestic students get priority.
Sadly, what you mentioned aren’y really “hooks” although they are interesting things that you should mention in your application. Some examples of hooks: recruited athlete, legacy, URM, geographical location (underrepresented state typically), multi-bilionare family, celebrity’s kid or celebrity.
The B’s shouldn’t be serious issue, but many top schools prefer to see all A’s. Try to aim for above 90% on the ISEE, and you should be good.
What do you consider a safety school? No school with an acceptance rate below 30% could really be considered a safety, IMO. Do you want other Andover-caliber schools or do you want schools that you will definitely get into? I think that you should apply to a couple of other schools that are on Andover’s level because these schools are all extremely difficult to get into and admissions is very competitive.
@“Nico.campbell” I want to apply to some schools that have around 40% acceptance rates so that get into at least one school. I’m finding it hard to find schools because fencing isn’t a “regular” sport. Thanks for the advice though!
I think @SevenDad, whom I’ve linked, is ones of CC’s resident experts on fencing at BS.
I believe Lawrenceville and Masters have fencing?
@CaliMex Yeah I think I will be applying to those schools as well, but they aren’t really safety schools. Well, at least Lawrenceville isn’t. But thanks for the advice!
@“Nico.campbell” 10th isn’t always harder to get into. It really depends on the school. While there are fewer spots for 10th there are also less applicants. Generally they are proportionate so chance are about equal. At L’ville, we were told by the AO it is easier to get in as a 10 because of their house system. All 9’s live in 9 specific housing so their is very little wiggle room. 10’s and 11’s live in their house together so they have a little more wiggle room
^^Ditto for our school with housing being the governor. Always quite a few new 10th graders.
Ah sorry then ignore what I said! Thanks for clarifying @momof3swimmers
Will you be traveling to New England and possibly the west coast for your interviews? Do you have any ideas for your essays? You seem like somewhat of a URM international kid, that could possibly be used as a hook.
Your fencing achievements seem particularly impressive, however, schools like Andover can come down to luck (if an important member of the team happens to be a senior graduating that year). I highly suggest visiting the school and trying out with the varsity coach (if there is no varsity team then pardon my ignorance).
As for backup schools, I suggest Stevenson School and Wasatch Academy (very easy to get into). However, these are not ideal schools you want to be attending.
These two schools have a fencing team.
Hi! I was just looking at the packet that Choate sent me for course selections, and they do have fencing in the winter. It’s not a safety school though.
@22louisl I will be requesting Skype interviews but I will mention my fencing and see if I can contact the coach. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can attend those safety schools because they only accept the SSAT and I am not able to take the SSAT in Australia. Thanks for the advice!
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that Andover is need blind, which means that applying for financial aid will not affect your chance of admission even a little bit.
@natakwali Thanks for letting me know! 