Hi I recently decided to join a boarding school and decided on Phillips Andover. I heard that it’s really hard to get in and wanted to know if it’s completely impossible for me to get in or a percentage chance of me getting in. I am in seventh grade. My grades are as follows:
Algebra 1: A - A+
Language Honors: A - A+
Science Honors: A - A+
Social Science (History): A+
PE: A
Orchestra: A+
Band: A+
Jazz Band: A+
I play the piano, flute and cello. I take the CM test every year for piano and am planning on taking level 8 next year. I have won a few small competitions but they weren’t big competitions. I only do flute and cello at school. I plan on learning the harp and possibly the oboe. I speak fluent English and Chinese. I participated in debate for 1 year and won a few small awards. I used to do ballet but I don’t do other sports. I plan on joining my school’s WE club next year, a club for volunteering and basically donating. I plan on testing into Algebra 2 over the summer. I also take art lessons but haven’t participated in any competitions yet. I haven’t done the ssat yet but I plan on getting a tutor over summer.
Could someone tell me if I have a good chance at getting in or not? Thanks so much
Do you need financial aid? If so how much? What ethnicity are you? (if your a urm that qualifys as a hook)What region do you live in?
@CottenCandyTrill Andover is need blind, so FA doesn’t matter in an application.
I don’t need financial aid and I’m Asian (chinese). I live in California (Orange county)
Why Andover specifically? What can you find there that you can’t find anywhere else? What will YOU contribute to the Andover community that they can’t find in any other applicant?
You have impressive stats, but you need to think long and hard about those questions.
You do have very impressive grades and EC’s, but unfortunately your ORM status (overrepresented minority) will most likely hurt you. Why only Andover? If you truly have your heart set on attending boarding school you should apply to at least 5 or 6 and cast a wide net of schools. Good luck!
I do plan on applying for other schools but I like Phillips Andover the best, it’s also the hardest to get into. Do you think I could get into a school like Groton in Massachusetts or maybe even Milton?
The schools’ acceptances rates that you are talking about are 12%, 13%, and 14%. Maybe a bit wider of a net? Maybe try to get some schools with acceptance rates > 20%, better yet, >30%, in addition to those.
Here are some schools with acceptance rates in the teens (should be considered reaches for anybody and everybody): Deerfield, Exeter, Choate, Saint Paul’s, Middlesex, Milton, Hotchkiss, Andover. Look at these and apply if you like, but don’t expect much (nobody should).
Here are some good schools that are “easier” (yet still competitive) to get into than those listed above: Northfield Mount Hermon, Berkshire, and Williston Northampton.
I’m still a bit confused as to why only Andover, because really any other school within the top 10-15 will give you a similarly amazing experience. What does only Andover have that you want?
Try to do actives that make you stand out: I had some “unique” extracurriculars and community service and I was waitlisted, although I was lucky enough to get into some other amazing schools.
Currently; you have as good a chance as anybody, but I think you should diversify your activities.
Good luck!
Cate, Thacher & Groton also have acceptance rates in the low teens @“Nico.campbell” , just to add to your list 
NMH is a great suggestion of a larger school with a slightly higher acceptance rate. Also maybe Loomis.
OP if you are leaning toward something “Boston/New England-y” St. Mark’s, St. George’s and Brooks might be worth a look as well.
But regardless of where you apply, try to think about the questions in my post above. It will help when it comes time for interviews & essays to be able to talk specifically about what makes you a good fit for that particular school. If you go through @“Nico.campbell” 's old threads, you will see that he did this with good results.
I too am looking for similar advice. I need to know if what I am doing is enough. I only have a few months before I need to submit an application. I am attempting to get into IMSA, a highly competitive 9th-12th high school, as an 8th grader.
I have not officially taken the SAT but the highest I have gotten on a practice test is
Math: 720
Reading:640
I am currently practicing for better.
I am in math club, 3 years in a row as a selected Service Learning Leader (school program), Scholastic Bowl, Lighting Crew/ Theater Tech, Science Olympiad, Band (First Clarinet), Yearbook Committee, Basketball Team, First Robotics Team, I volunteer, and I am currently pursuing studies in Carnatic/ Indian Music at Home.
I have attended
SIT Conference (3 locations in State)
Makerfaire (Throughout State)
Leadership Conference in Skokie
I have reached the level of cadets in girl scouts and then discontinued
I have participated in chess club up till recently.
My math and English teachers like me. My science teacher likes me but I need to work on some skills. I answer a lot of question in class.
I have won a few awards. Few as in 3-4.
I have a few months to work on things that could potentially increase my chances. Please, science is my dream. Help me out and tell me where I stand and what I need to improve to get in. Thanks!
I too am looking for similar advice. I need to know if what I am doing is enough. I only have a few months before I need to submit an application. I am attempting to get into IMSA, a highly competitive 9th-12th high school, as an 8th grader.
I have not officially taken the SAT but the highest I have gotten on a practice test is
Math: 720
Reading:640
I am currently practicing for better.
I am in math club, 3 years in a row as a selected Service Learning Leader (school program), Scholastic Bowl, Lighting Crew/ Theater Tech, Science Olympiad, Band (First Clarinet), Yearbook Committee, Basketball Team, First Robotics Team, I volunteer, and I am currently pursuing studies in Carnatic/ Indian Music at Home.
I have attended
SIT Conference (3 locations in State)
Makerfaire (Throughout State)
Leadership Conference in Skokie
I have reached the level of cadets in girl scouts and then discontinued
I have participated in chess club up till recently.
My math and English teachers like me. My science teacher likes me but I need to work on some skills. I answer a lot of question in class.
I have won a few awards. Few as in 3-4.
I have a few months to work on things that could potentially increase my chances. Please, science is my dream. Help me out and tell me where I stand and what I need to improve to get in. Thanks!