I think the ‘best’ when talking about Andover/Exeter is related to their name recognition more than acceptance rate. They are the boarding schools people most likely have heard of and are likely to be impressed by, if they know any boarding schools at all. And they send most kids to HYP, which is the other thing people seem to really care about. Given their size the acceptance rate is higher than some smaller schools.
That is not to say I would ever advocate anyone to choose just those two schools to apply to (we did not even look at either) but that’s the justification people use when they make the call that they are the only ones worth the money. The deadlines have passed for most schools now anyway, so let’s just hope OP may get in one of them. Sounds like she has solid local back up if not.
Yep, I’m being very shallow about schools. I want to go to a big name- i reserve that right lol.
I’m in the DE equivalent of BC calc right now, will they make me repeat it?
We looked at MA for academics and athletics. You certainly won’t be the smartest or youngest student there.
Your public school is no Milton Academy for a myriad of reasons. My sisters-in-law went to one of your target schools and is quite accomplished. She wouldn’t hesitate to send her children to Milton.
@iusedtobesmart – Seems to me you are very good at choosing your own path. Someone who has strongly committed to apply to particular schools (and bats away advice about alternatives) should be able to make a decision about repeating 9th grade. This deeply personal decision has to be made by you and your family, with input from the school once you are accepted – not by strangers on the internet.
I am not sure what else anyone here can offer you. You already know the pros and cons. Good luck, though! Hope it all works out for you as you want it to.
May I gently point out that if you hate your school, then by definition your “home school” is not “just as good” as all non-E-non-A options. (unless “home school” is a different one starting in 10th, or I otherwise misunderstood?)
While you absolutely have the right to take on whatever attitude or tone or value system you wish, from where I sit, your posts are bit abrasive and make you come across as a bit unpleasant. I’ll bet in real life that’s not the case. But I just wanted to let you know that you might be putting out a vibe unintentionally.
I’m inclined to agree. Perhaps it’s your internet persona, but if you come across that way on essays and/or interviews, Andover or Exeter will likely not be options for you anyway.
Oof, yeah my personality is nothing like this, in real life I’m more sarcastic (in a nice way) and I joke around, a lot of what I was saying was joking, it doesn’t translate well to writing I guess lol
Every boarding school has a group of the overconfident, know-it-all, master of the universe kids, and the top boarding schools certainly get a fair share, and I don’t get the impression they shy away from them at all. So as long as OP can reign it in during interviews, she is likely fine. Bragging in the essays is expected and even encouraged, assuming it can be back up by actual accomplishments. Besides, she is 14 and I bet a lot of what we see here is just her Internet persona.
@iusedtobesmart parent of multiple Davidson YS and PEA graduates here-
2 daughters skipped grade as well
If you would like more personal answers about pros and cons of being younger at PEA - let me know.
@417WHB Yep, every school has braggarts. And every school has very solid students who say little when the braggarts move down to lower level classes.
Some schools have more patience with arrogant students. Some communities do not.
All BS have stellar performers in the academic, athletic, artistic and musical space. Some kids have multiple areas in which they excel. These are the kids schools want.
Master of the universe kids often don’t’ reach their high school potential as they “know everything” already so aren’t open to new learning.
FWIW @ OP, the schools we looked at all offered courses beyond linear algebra. There are also opportunities to work with math faculty theoretical topics. You will be happy to know that there are many other students like yourself with a keen interest and talent in math. Seriously, you will not bored and you will be challenged by the rigorous math offerings at the schools on your short list.
That being said…there are MANY “repeats” at NE boarding schools. This was a surprise to us. The reasons for this are varied. If you have a inner hunch that you should repeat a grade, then listen to it and decide accordingly. It’s more common than you think and it’s a wonderful opportunity for you. Do not worry about being bored. Many students have already taken classes and are repeating classes because they are much more fast-paced, in-depth, and at a higher level than they were the first time they took them. FWIW, students are allowed a drop/add type of period at the start of the year - so if you find that a particular class is not the best fit for you, then you can change to a higher or lower level.
Why exactly are you interested in boarding school? To take the most rigorous math classes? Seems like a silly reason to attend BS, in my opinion. If you want to take rigorous math classes, then just stay at your current school and then take courses at a nearby community college.
Based upon your flippant responses, it sounds like you wouldn’t do well in a BS environment. All of the other parents have already chimed in, so I wish you the best. Hope you find what you’re looking for.
@sgopal2
Lol community college classes are terrible, I’m taking some right now and they suck. How do u know my attitude through writing? You don’t know anything about me lol
You’d be surprised at what can be gleaned from writing style. This is exactly what college admissions officers do for a living. Your writing reeks of superiority, entitlement and arrogance.
I’m not trying to be mean, just trying to give you some honest feedback. At this stage in your life, listening to adults once in a while might help.
@iusedtobesmart hi there! I might be completely out of line here (and also, from your stats alone, you’re almost certainly more intelligent than me, so who am I to speak lol) but i just wanted to say that i get it. Thinking about how you convey your emotions and taking criticism is like, so hard oop.
You seem hella smart tho. I agree that you may come across as sort of aloof through your writing, but hey, idk you. I would probably be scared to speak to you irl (judging by writing alone), but one of my reasons for wanting to attend BS is to put myself out there, ya know?
good for u that u decided to repeat! If u wanna talk about stress n stuff, dm me yo. (: