Chance me for boarding schools (andover, exeter, groton, choate, hotchkiss)

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi everyone!!

I’m an international student (female, 8th grader, non-american) from Korea applying to Andover, Exeter, Groton, Choate, and Hotchkiss for 9th grade entry (Fall 2026). I’ll be applying for financial aid as well.

Academics:

  • All A s (our school doesn’t have A+)

  • Only exception: B in Music and P.E. for 8th grade first semester

Testing:

  • SSAT: Took it once, waiting for results — planning to retake it in November.
    → Any tips or strategies for improving my SSAT score please?

  • Duolingo English Test: 135/160 (around TOEFL 104–108 equivalent, requirement for international students)

Extracurriculars & Awards:

  • Figure skating (4–5 years)

  • Founder & president of a student-led science club

  • Broadcasting club member (we produce school announcements & events)

  • Former debate club member

  • Appointed youth committee member of my town (by the mayor)

  • Multiple essay, debate, and TOEFL competition awards

  • School awards for reading, social studies, and model student recognition

Interviews:

  • All completed — I think Hotchkiss and Andover went the best!
    (…although I accidentally said “Andover” during my Exeter interview:( cried so hard after that..)

I know my stats aren’t the best, but I’m working hard on my essays and Andover short video right now.
If anyone has tips for SSAT prep, essays, I’d really appreciate your advice! Thank you so much in advance.

2

Looks good to me. You’ll have more info when the SSATs come back.

As far as preparing for the next one you’re thinking about taking, best answer I can recommend is to keep taking practice tests in as close to the testing environment you will be on as possible.

But don’t get yourself twisted in knots around the tests. You will do fine. They want interesting people, not kids who take tests well.

I was just at Parents Weekend at one of the places on your list. Spoke with a lot of the kids. Common attributes? Interesting and kind. That needs to come out in your file. They say so pretty explicitly in the admissions communications. But you seem like a good fit on those dimensions.

Good luck!

3

thank you so much!