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What are my chance into getting into Phillips Academy Andover or Phillips Exeter?

dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
in Prep School Chances
So, I was wondering how strong my application is and if it is strong enough to give me a chance at getting into these schools.
SSAT Scores
Verbal- 97
Reading- 98
Math- 50 (pretty weak! I know)

My grades in the transcripts are B's and A's in upward climb to mostly A's (I hope this shows my progress.)

My Interviews went really well ( Impressive was the word one used) I worked really hard on my essays for both schools and they were very character determining.

My EC's are WaterPolo, Tennis, Poetry (Poetry Slams, Contests, and numerous publications in professional compilations) District Speech Meet(original and non original), Short Story competitions, Piano, Choir(many solos), Spelling Bee ( district level.), Community Service volunteered at a children's camp for two summers, I think I might have left some out.

My recommendations are probably very good because I am genuinely a good student.


I'd also like to mention that my parents are Immigrants and I am of West African and South Indian descent(Youth From every quarter). So, I'm biracial and a minority.

I'm a girl from California and I'm applying for fall 2017.

19 replies
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Replies to: What are my chance into getting into Phillips Academy Andover or Phillips Exeter?

  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    I am also on the yearbook staff
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  • AppleNotFarAppleNotFar 1035 replies11 threads Senior Member
    What was your overall SSAT percentage?
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    Um I'm not sure but for the last one were I got a lower math score it was 88
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  • AppleNotFarAppleNotFar 1035 replies11 threads Senior Member
    edited January 2017
    I should have also asked if you were applying for financial aid. Also could you be an impact tennis or water polo player at these schools? Have you reached out to the coaches?

    And did you consider applying to any other schools? Some schools, like Andover, have deadlines on January 31 or February 1 so there is a bit of time left. Perhaps a school(s) that use Gateway since you would already be using that for Andover? Both of these schools have very low admission rates, and if you want to go to BS, especially with FA, you should cast a wider net of schools. I'm not sure what the schools would make of the relatively lower math score for your SSAT, but the overall score is close to being in range and the bi-racial hook could be a real plus.
    edited January 2017
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    I am applying for financial aid but it was also mentioned to them that we would also be able to pay in full. I have not reached out to coaches because I talked topple at the tour about that whole matter. I can't apply to other schools because my parents have the reasoning that boarding school should be very well thought out(I haven't visited these other schools and he wanted me to go to the absolute top ones).I'm perfectly fine though with this because I have 2 safety schools of which I have a guaranteed admission. (school contract.)

    By the way, my essays were reviewed by an exeter alumnus who is my dad's boss's son.
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  • AppleNotFarAppleNotFar 1035 replies11 threads Senior Member
    I understand about not applying to other schools, particularly with 2 good safeties. But I'm not quite sure I understand the reason behind not reaching out to the coaches--did you meet any of them when you were on campus? From what I gather your math SSAT score could be a red flag in your application, but being a URM and a possible impact athlete could be good hooks for you. I wish you the best of luck!
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  • GMC2918GMC2918 894 replies25 threads Member
    You can email or call the coaches directly. Get their emails from the school websites or ask your AO. What you want to find out is if you'll be an impact player - would you make a difference on their team? Good luck!
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  • sunnyschoolsunnyschool 1333 replies31 threads Senior Member
    What is "guaranteed admission (school contract)"?
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    My school has a contract with a local private high school. My school feeds students there if they have above a 3.0 GPA @sunnyschool
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    And thank you @AppleNotFar ,the advice was much appreciated. I actually retook the SSAT and am awaiting scores. I think I'll try emailing coaches about Water Polo. Thanks again.
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  • CenterCenter 2204 replies66 threads Senior Member
    edited January 2017
    You posted this before. Your profile is similar to many candidates. I.e good recommendations, interviews and essays. Your math is quite low for these schools and you don't have a real hook. Yes, being bi racial might help but since you don't really need financial aid, per your previous chance me post, a bi racial or other under represented minority from a disadvantaged background might be more attractive as a way to further expand their study body to those who could never afford such an education. It is hard to know , you could get into both schools or neither.
    edited January 2017
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    Yes, I wanted more responses; I posted another thread. Also, I don't think my financial status affecting my application is in any way correct. Andover is need blind (they assess financial aid and application materials separately) and also that is sort of stereotyping an ethnicity to be poor. Thanks for your input but I do not think that part is necessarily true. URM means that not many of those ethnicities apply not that they are in any way less well off. @Center
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    Also what do you mean by "real hook".
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  • cababe97cababe97 427 replies37 threads Member
    What schools are you applying to? You didn't say.
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    Exeter and Andover
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    I have other safeties that are local.
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  • CenterCenter 2204 replies66 threads Senior Member
    @dreamer929schools you are the one that is advertising your background and color as an advantage. Obviously you want your ethnic /biracial status to help your chances. Any full pay applicant has a statistically better chance of acceptance than almost any FA applicant regardless of color. Need blind or not, these schools are filling spots in a variety of categories that fill their needs. A better qualified minority who needs FA will get offered a spot over a full pay minority that is less qualified. Every year the schools try to build a diverse class. clearly you are a very good candidate but there are thousands of very good candidates who get rejected.
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  • dreamer929schoolsdreamer929schools 16 replies1 threads Junior Member
    Thanks (I didn't mean to offend you in any way) your help is much appreciated! @Center
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  • CottenCandyTrillCottenCandyTrill 172 replies25 threads Junior Member
    Did you get in @dreamer929schools to exeter and andover
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