elephants10,
Here is some food for thought:
1. Admission depends upon a black box calculation involving your SSAT scores (not IQ tests), grades, extracurricular activities, recommendations, essays, and whether or not you are a hooked candidate.
2. Being a hooked candidate hinges on whether you are a legacy at the prep school in question, a recruited athlete, a development admit (i.e., the child of parents who make a large donation), or an under represented minority (aka "URM"), e.g., an African American, a Native American, or a Hispanic.
3. Each school will review and compute these factors based upon what it needs to sculpt a well rounded class. In many instances, a well rounded class is comprised of individuals who stand out in one particular area, e.g.,musicians, actors, artists, athletes, etc.
4. Top non-hooked applicants to elite prep schools such as Andover and Exeter typically will be the best, or one of the very best, students in their local school; they will have SSAT scores equal to or greater than 94% (
Sort Boarding Schools by Key Criteria - Boarding School Review; they will have outstanding extra curricular activities that reveal passion and commitment; and they will have exemplary essays and recommendations.
5. Having straight As and a 99% on the SSAT is not a guarantee of admission.
6. No one can anyone predict your chances of admissions with categorical correctness.
7. Do your own research and apply to a broad range of schools if you are unhappy with your local school.
8. Narrow your list and visit as many schools as you can preferably while they are in session.
Good luck.
