<p>I know, I know...look at acceptance rates, but I think that only says a little bit. </p>
<p>For students who have applied, or parents with children who have applied, which of the following schools is the hardest to get accepted in, or is it about equal?</p>
<p>Exeter
Groton
or
St. Pauls</p>
<p>I wouldn't know... But Exeter is prestigious, as is Groton and St. Paul's. But Exeter is the most prestigious, simply because of its large endowment and low acceptance rates. I know those are only a few indicatives of prestige, but that's how I see it.</p>
<p>I would say Exeter and Groton. Exeter because, well, it's exeter and Groton because it is such a small school</p>
<p>Why doesn't looking at acceptance rates answer your question? What other factor besides acceptance rate lets you know how hard it is to be accepted????</p>
<p>Well, in fact, there is some self-selection which can muddy the waters. So, for example, a Catholic school with a very strong religious component will get fewer applicants to start with, but may well only accept candidates that are very strong. A school with very strong academics but which is not well known may attract fewer applicants than the well-known NE preps, but may be more selective in terms of intellect. A school that has a very broad appeal may be swamped with applicants, but not actually be looking for the most highly qualified applicants. Why does it matter? What schools you apply to should be based on what schools are a good fit.</p>
<p>Perhaps what OP meant was, which schools have the lowest acceptance rate for someone like her.</p>
<p>The acceptance rate for candidates who possess the qualities that XYZ School is looking for is much higher than for those who don't possess those qualities. I realize that this statement is self-evident, but I think we all sometimes forget that what these schools are trying to do is build a community of like minded scholars, regardless of what their "diversity statement" may say. </p>
<p>With the high degree of self-selection that occurs, I would imagine that a large percent of the admissions decisions boil down to personality. Of course, I don't know this for a fact. It's just what makes sense to me. If EC, GPA, recs, ans SSAT were all that mattered, why bother with an interview or essays? I sometimes think that the statistic aspects of a candidates application are initially a filter.</p>
<p>Perhaps....(and this is pure conjecture on my part) it goes something like this:
First: Can they do the work?
Second: Do we like them? (via interview and essays) Will they be happy here?
Third: What needs of ours will they fill? (Financial, musical, science, athletic)</p>
<p>All of these things skew admissions statistics, so I understand completely why OP says that the admissions statistics only tell you a little bit.</p>
<p>Wow....my apologies for the typos and other errors in my last post. I'm tired.</p>
<p>Goodnight!</p>
<p>Neatoburrito-
Thank you, that's exactly what I meant.</p>
<p>My stats aren't as good as I'd like them to be, so I'm essentially curious which would be the easiest to get accepted to. I'm going to apply for all three, but having some kind of expectations would help just a little bit.</p>
<p>I'm apply to these three specifically because of the "free" tuition programs.</p>
<p>Still, Tubachick, it isn't really possible for people on here to accurately "chance" you at those 3 highly selective schools precisely because they are reaches for everyone. As neatob. says above, you have a better chance at a school where you are a better match.</p>
<p>I feel like I am beating a dead horse here, but I'll say it anyway: there is financial aid available at other schools! It's true! Exeter has not actually cornered the market in financial aid. If you are really concerned about getting in and getting aid, you should apply to MORE schools that seem to be a good fit FOR YOU.</p>
<p>For heart warming financial aid stories, do a search on the prep school forum.</p>
<p>Let us know how your research comes along...</p>
<p>do you play an instrument</p>
<p>do you play an instrument That might really help your chances.</p>
<p>Is there an echo in here?</p>
<p>Yes.
Trumpet for 6 years and tuba for two. (IE Tubachick :))</p>
<p>Oh, and I've checked out all three schools and am very interested in all three. </p>
<p>Exeter- for the Harkness Method and everything that's offered. (I especially like the diversity when it comes to school clubs.) The size is also something that I like. </p>
<p>St Paul's- for the focus on science, and Independant Study Program. </p>
<p>Groton- I like what the enviorment seems to consist of. For once a small school looks appealing to me. </p>
<p>I've also been looking at Putney. Their work program is what caught my eye. It combines my love of the outdoors with academics. </p>
<p>I've been looking at a few others also.</p>
<p>Hey guys, where did you guys know about/get the acceptance rate of each school 'cause I can't find any data (latest) about that.</p>
<p>Some data on acceptance rates can be found at Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools<a href="NOTE%20that%20some%20information%20is%20outdated">/url</a>. It is also available for some schools at [url=<a href="http://www.petersons.com/%5DSearch">http://www.petersons.com/]Search</a> for Colleges and Universities, Graduate Schools, Online Degree, Private Schools - Peterson's</p>
<p>Some of the schools will have the information on their web sites....not always easy to find it. It often appears in a news release or a parents' newsletter....look for dates around April.</p>
<p>Examples:</p>
<p>Thanks dude! I appreciate it!!!</p>
<p>Tubachick:
Just so you know, between Exeter, Groton, and St. Paul's, the difference in acceptance rate is pretty small, and they're all under 25%--all very difficult to get admitted to.</p>
<p>Ya, unfortuantly I know. I was hoping for some epiphany moment where I sudennly knew if I'd be able to get accepted to any of them.
:)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that only happens once the letters are in your hand. sorry...:(</p>
<p>Ya, it was worth a shot I guess.</p>