Hi! I got waitlisted for Exeter and Mercersburg this year- what can I improve?

I agree with applying to a larger range of schools. This gives you some more opportunities given the low acceptance rate and the same amazing kids applying to all of the same amazing schools. It also gives you the chance to explore schools that you may not have thought were the right fit. There were two schools, that I initially focused on for my daughter, but after visiting and diving deeper understood that they were not right for her. She got into schools that we thought she would not and WLed at schools that we thought loved her. It is a process and each school has different needs for their classes. Broaden your reach … but I will say the application process is an education in itself and you are all the better for going through it. Hang in there. Good luck!