<p>I am currently a Indian 9th grader in Indiana. I am applying to Exeter for 10th grade.</p>
<p>Grades:
8th grade- Gifted/Talented Program And High School Math All As one A- in Orchestra.
GPA 3.928
(9th grade grades are not in but I am most likely all As (so far))
Classes for 9th-
Biology A
Algebra 2 A
English Academic Advanced Honors
Latin
Sociology
Psychology
PE
Health
ECs
Spell Bowl 6yrs Captain 3yrs
MathCounts/Bowl 5yrs Top 12 2yrs
Tennis-5yrs Team 2yrs
Dance- I have choregraphed Indian dances but its mostly just at functions.
Student Council- 2yrs
Battle of the Books- 2yrs
Volunteer- 1yr
Religous Competition and Volunteer at an Indian “Church”
English Bowl- 3yrs Captain 1yr
StandClub ( raises money for poor places and victims of genocide and what not)
Swimming ( I learn)
I play hockey (recreational)
I do pretty much anything I can.
i play 2nd chair violin all through middle school and some in elementary-6yrs
gone to state science fair 2 times 1 time reigonal 1st place at school 3 times</p>
<p>SSAT/PSAT/SAT
SSAT- Last i got a 90 percentile… This year aiming for 95-99.
PSAT- I am going to take it in October so far practicing and tests i have gotten 200-230
SAT- I took it in 7th I got a 1630 without prep sooo I gues I could use this to predict my SSAT score.
MEEEE</p>
<p>I am very enthusiatic about learning and have very high ambitions in life. For my essay one of them i am writing about wanting to become a traveling doctor that works in remote places because some places dont have access to medical carewhile we have too much. Also my other essay is when my views about society were challenged at an airport in india where i saw the who no daughters only sons things play out and how this got me interested in philosophy and religion ( part of the reason why like exeter it has a division for religion my school has no religion courses the closest we have is world civ</p>
<p>When an AO reads your application, the one fault I can see is that they will immediately start asking questions. Now, you have amazing grades from what I can see here that definitely wont be a problem. It won’t be a plus either, mostly everyone applying will have good enough grades. Then onto the issues. Not saying you aren’t genuine or anything but from my honest perspective, you look like another Asain trying to flood their resume with things to help them get accepted. Your going to have to try to portray yourself as a package. Not just a blob, which is what your resume comes off as. Try to point out a few things that you would definitely contribute to the school ex: I won a violin competition and would be the next mozart. However, if you are mediocre at many things and really not exceptional at something then you might want to really ask if going to a BS is right for you.</p>
<p>@squashisawesome thanks for the feedback btw that was quick
I understand what you are saying
Would saying that i have won medals in math science and english also be broad i mean i can do dance music and sports but i am not amazing in them but when it comes to academics that is where i kinda come so do think academics would be too broad or what
THANK YOU
i know that i dont really stand out so could you kind of give me some feedback on how i possibly could help myself stand out in the amazing talented people applicant pool
AGAIN THANKYOU</p>
<p>I disagree with squashisawesome. You don’t need to be a Mozart in high school to get into Exeter. If you were, then you won’t need Exeter or high school.</p>
<p>HK: While you kept busy with a lot of extra-curriculars, emphasize only a few that you are truly passionate about both in the application and the interview. Emphasize leadership positions and long-term commitment to Spell Bowl, Math Counts, Tennis, and volunteer work. Don’t spend too much time on trying to score 99% in SSAT (Asian problem). Above 85-90% is good enough. Be prepared to answer why boarding school and why Exeter in the interview. Do your best on the essay. Get to know your teachers that write the recommendations (English, Math). You probably know that it is harder for Asians to get in. Being from Indiana is a plus (under-represented state). If you don’t need financial aid, then it is a bigger plus.</p>
<p>Don’t limit yourself to Exeter or bust, there are many other schools that can challenge you and give you a good education (hotchkiss, deerfield, lawrenceville, middlesex for example). If you are in top 10% in your local school, that’s good enough to get into a good college. If you want to be doctor, you don’t need to go to any top colleges. State flagship Univ is more than enough.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean by Asian Problem So True… I can’t really apply for a lot of schools because money is a big issue and I am not really obsessing about BS I have already been to a boarding school in India up in the mountains and I liked do that is one reason applying to Exeter Another is that 75000 income and below thing. My dad is NOT a doctor- I know most people are amazed which I don’t understand- he runs a gas station and makes like 30000 a year. And my mom does not work sooooo… MONEY IS BIG
That is why I cant really look into a lot of schools…
I really want to know if something could help me stand out for Exeter
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK @pwalsh
BTW Do you attend Exeter??? Just Curious</p>
<p>@harleen
I also agree kinda with what pwalsh said. You don’t need to be mozart because then again, you wouldn’t need exeter. For your marketing to the school here is how I would go about: leadership (like pwalsh) you seem to be into volunteer and helping at your church. Second I would present my seld as Exeter’s future nobel prize winner with your science fair stuff. Talk about your projects and everything you did. When you step onto the Exeter science campus its all about science. Last, throw in your sports. You said you are into hockey and tennis, make sure you let them know you are interested there too and start contacting the exeter sports coaches, at exeter anyone a coach likes they will submit a form which AOs will read and which will help your application.</p>
<p>Hi! I am applying for exeter for 2014-2015. Im taking my ssats in 2 weeks and I am a pretty good test taker. Oh, and i live in southern California. I am applying for grade 9.
Grades: All As since before i could remember. I have recieved school awards for math, language, history, and leadership.
Last year i was in my schools student government (Asb) class as an elective. I skipped pre-Algebra and took advanced 8th grade math instead. (honors algebra 1) I was the top of my Algebra class. At the end of the year, I was a team captian for mathletes as well. In terms of Language Arts, i am in GATE (Advanced) with a+ (also the top of my class).
This year I am in Geometry and Gate LA again and doing well. I am also a student Ambassador.
(sorry not bragging just describing how serious i am about my education)
The annual cali. state test: i get advanced everything in the 490-500s (out of 600. average is 380)
ECs: I played volleyball for 7 and 8 grade at my school. I also play for a club team and compete around the state. I am obviously really interested in playing at exeter.
I have danced since I was 3 and i am in advanced tap and pointe now.
I love to ski except i don’t do very much considering i live in Southern cali.
I am a very good interviewer having competed in scholarship pageants (kind of like the miss America organization) and i will be taking an off campus interview.
I am very interested in harkness because i enjoy public speaking and being part of a lesson.
I may have left a few things out… but by the looks of in, what are my chances?</p>
<p>@sblanchard18 Welcome to the forum! I don’t mean to be a spoilsport(?), but please keep your chances posts to the chances section of the forum. Thank you!</p>
<p>Question for an Exeter student: How much of a difference do you think Harkness makes in math and science? (My apologies if it’s been asked already.)</p>
<p>In science, students have classrooms that are double the size and students discuss homework and have discussion at the table. On lab days, students will go into the lab, complete it and then go back to the table and discuss it. In math, the teacher does little talking and puts problems up on the board. The students discuss and then find out better ways to solve problems etc. Keep in mind, this is coming from an applicants perspective and I don’t go to exeter either, I heard all this on the forum.</p>
<p>@stargirl - rather old alum, here ('08), so my memory might be a bit creaky…</p>
<p>From what I recall, Harkness was a much bigger deal in math. Basically, the homework (problem sheets specially designed by the teachers precisely for Harkness – Exeter math doesn’t use standard textbooks) formed the basis of the class – it wasn’t so much testing what you already knew (formulae, etc – as I said, there’s no textbook or “information” supplied as such) as trying to get you to derive formulae yourself, figure out principles, etc., etc. Given this set-up, homework was never marked or graded, and often students didn’t necessarily finish every problem. Instead, you’d turn up to class, choose a problem to present, and put the solution up on the board (worst case scenario: you got it wrong or got partway through before giving up). The class goes through, problem by problem, to discuss the solution.</p>
<p>To be honest, Harkness was IIRC less prevalent in science than in other classes – it was more of your standard-issue “go away, do an experiment, come back, we’ll discuss it” sort of thing.</p>
<p>Hi guys! I need your opinion as to whether or not I will get in. Thank you
Info: 14, public school, grade 9, white
Grades: Mostly A’s (midterm this year- straight a’s)
Ssat: scheduled to take it dec. 7, based on the practice tests (which were incredibly easy) I believe I will miss about 3 questions or so. I’m not sure what score that would translate into.
Interview: also upcoming, I am great at public speaking, and also pretty relatable and somewhat charming. I feel as though the interview will go great.
Instruments: I play the trumpet (jazz band soloist, also in concert band) and the baritone (concert band)
Sports: usually place top 5 in Nordic skiing ( 2 yrs) and track (3 yrs) I also played volleyball for three years.
Extracurriculars: science fair(national semifinalist), model un, FBLA, StuCo rep, Debate(captain partner), knowledge bowl, Teen leadership coalition, and teen reading committee
Honors: named freshman science master, 2nd place patriots pen essay contest (regional), national science fair semi-finalist, 2nd in state knowledge bowl, debate captain partner (cx), best position paper model un, position in audition band as a soloist, top 5 every meet for track
Recommendations: I believe that these will be pretty good. Never had many problems with my teachers.
Essays: I have a knack for writing, my essays are EXCELLENT. (I’m not bragging I’m just trying to give you an accurate picture so you can help me out) I wrote my essays in sophisticated, genuine, yet understandable language.</p>
<p>Your social life usually centers around your dorm and a close group of friends (not really cliques, just people youve grown close to). There are no parties (drugs, alcohol), but there are often all-school events which are extremely fun and looked forward to.</p>
<p>The students here are great - its the students that make the school, after all. There are so many people who do amazing things of all varieties, but theyre all super cool and really amazing people if you get to talk to them. They all love to take advantage of the opportunities here, from trips abroad and whatnot to classes and performances. If you go to exeter, you can get tired of the school, academics, and teachers pretty quickly, but you will never tire of the other people here. They are simply outstanding, and that’s part of the reason why they go to Exeter. There’s a range of people here, some of them spend all of their time studying and some like to do less homework. Regardless, its really up to how efficient/well-managed you are and how many clubs you do that determines how much time you have to bury your heads in books. It’s challenging no doubt, but definitely not unmanageable.</p>
<p>Honestly (and this goes for everyone), the kind of “chance me” stats I’ve been reading on this board are pretty meaningless. “Good grades, good essays” are all well and good – but they don’t <em>mean</em> anything – simply saying “I’m a good writer with good grades” doesn’t tell me anything about who you are as a student or a person.</p>
<p>Which says nothing about your chances, @turtleee, just that I’d be surprised if anyone on this board (particularly people who are applicants themselves) could give you anything more than “sure, you’ve got a fair shot” based on the kind of very preliminary overview being given in these threads.</p>
<p>An actual academic picture of who you are, what you care about, what you want to learn, what really (honestly) matters to you – all these are far more useful than stats. I’d be happy to give feedback your essay if it’s useful (PM me), but I’m rather dubious about “chancing” in all its forms.</p>
<p>If there’s anything I’ve learned from many, MANY rounds of admissions at this point (boarding school, undergrad, master’s, doctorate), it’s that it’s not some secret game with a secret code and the “right” stats (within reason – good grades are often but not always a baseline). The best admissions advice I could give to any applicant is: be a genuinely interesting person, read on topics that genuinely interest you, work hard to get better at the skills that actually matter to you, and spend your time doing what you legitimately love. Everything else is just faff.</p>
<3</p>