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Hi everyone at CC.
I am an African American female from MD trying to apply to be a junior at either Andover or Exeter. I have about a 3.97 average and haven't taken the SSAT. I am worried about my interview because I am about 25 lbs overweight and I think they might not choose me for that. I play softball, tennis, and swim, and I am in the NJHS, drama club/school play, and possibly MS Newspaper. I am also afraid that my slight immaturity and constant joking persona might affect the recommendations of my teachers. Please let me know what you think my chances are. I would appriciate hearing from all boarding school students, but especially from ones who got into Exeter and Andover in the past few years.

By Ndbisme5 (Ndbisme5) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 04:13 pm: Edit

Why do you want to atend Exeter/Andover?

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 05:02 pm: Edit

Because they are known to be the top 2 private schools of the country. Plus they are the only 2 my parents have heard of and I am not too sure that they would let me go to a school they have never heard of. I also live an average of 9 hours away from most NE boarding schools so it would be hard to visit 5-6 schools like a lot of people do on CC.

By Annieivy (Annieivy) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 06:07 pm: Edit

The SSAT score is a necessary piece of information. Both schools need more AA girls. An 85 should be a good score for you. The average SSAT at A is 95, and 90 at E.

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 06:26 pm: Edit

Thanks a lot, Annieivy!!!

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 07:09 pm: Edit

Please answer people!!!

By Nemom (Nemom) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 08:06 pm: Edit

Look into Saint Andrews as well - it's an excellent boarding school in Delaware. (This is not to say I think your chances at the others are low -just suggesting another possiblity.)

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 05:33 am: Edit

Delaware's too close to home! Another reason of going 9 hours away is to stay away from family! I love them, but no offense, they get annoying!

By Angelee (Angelee) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 02:14 pm: Edit

Hi! I was accepted as a new 11th grader this year to Exeter (and am currently attending).

Your GPA looks good, your involvement with sports is awesome. I wouldn't be worried about your jokingness, as long as you contribute positively to the classroom atmosphere =) but the interview's a good time to get your true personality across. As for the SSAT, just do your best, and the most important thing is not to stress over it - I've heard of ranges from 80s to 90s so far here, so it's not the only factor going into your app.

So far, I think you have a very good chance. Keep up the good work!

By Tubby (Tubby) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 10:18 pm: Edit

angelee,

Just how hard is it? compare it to the school you left and tell us if it is what you expected. glad you went?

By Angelee (Angelee) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:47 pm: Edit

Tubby: From what I was hearing about Exeter's infamous workload, I thought it was going to be something like 'every student sits locked in their rooms studying 12 hours a day', but once you get used to the pacing, you won't feel extremely overwhelmed. However, math will definitely challenge any new student. We don't have textbooks; instead, we have "books" of problems written by the math department, and our teachers select problems per night. My teacher currently assigns us like 12+ a night, and sometimes it's very frustrating without something to refer to, but it's still fun overall.

My conclusion...I absolutely love Exeter, and all of the new students I've met so far feel the same ^_^. Hands down, the best school I've ever attended so far. There's so many opportunities for ECs, music, theater, etc... It's like a small college almost. And the people are *extremely* nice and intelligent; that I can't stress enough!! Becoming an Exonian was definitely a good move for me =D.

By Nemom (Nemom) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 03:17 pm: Edit

LOL I understand about wanting to be away from family. Delaware is close - but St. Andy's is fairly tedious to get to (depending, of cours, on where you live). It's also a generous school in terms of scholarships. I would recommend at least giving it a shot. The acceptance rate at all the top schools is low so applying to more than a couple would be wise.

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 04:34 pm: Edit

I'm not really too pressed to go to a prep school. If I don't get in, I'm not going to go cry or whatver: Public school is fine for me.

By Phillipsexeter (Phillipsexeter) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 10:41 pm: Edit

I'm also an Upper and a tour guide for exeter. If you have any questions send me an email, it can be found in my profile i can probs answer some questions too.

By Iamqueena (Iamqueena) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 04:00 pm: Edit

hey if you don't mind goign to an all girl's school there's is miss porter's school. very good school. but if you want co-ed and your going for big like exeter and andover go hotchkiss (lakeville,ct), loomis (not huge but in windsor, ct), and choate (wallingford,ct).

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 04:16 pm: Edit

No offence, But I've heard a lot of bad stuff about Miss Porters, though.

By Pinkheart (Pinkheart) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 04:50 pm: Edit

what have you heard?

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 05:09 pm: Edit

stuff like it is a mostly lesbian school and people are molested and stuff.

By Sacrificet (Sacrificet) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 07:31 pm: Edit

and if you're considering hotchkiss, loomis, choate, etc. consider taft (watertown, ct). arguably as good as if not better than the three

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 03:01 pm: Edit

NEWS FLASH!!!
My parents, who were once pro-boarding school, now don't want me to apply because of the $30,000+ price tag! I know you would probably say apply for financial aid, but my parents make about $180,000 a year (before taxes), and the brochure for Exeter says that only 1 student whose parents made over $120,000 got accepted.

By Justice (Justice) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 03:34 pm: Edit

You might still get aid. I know people at Andover with higher net incomes than 180,000 who got substantial aid--there are many other factors.

By Yazzie269 (Yazzie269) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 04:08 pm: Edit

Are you sure Justice, because that is definetly not what the brochure said? Any other opinions?