Stats:
• SSAT/ISEE/TOEFL/PSAT: 2202 (82%)
• GPA Unweighted/Weighted: 6/7 grade throughout high school.
• Rank: School doesn’t rank
• Other stats:
Subjective:
• Interviews: 9.5/10
• Essays: 9/10
• Math Rec: 8/10 (Blind, but I think he likes me)
• English Rec: 9/10 (also blind, I think she likes me)
• Personal/Extracurricular Rec: 9.5/10
• Principal/Counselor Rec: 9/10 (Also blind)
• Sports (if any): Tennis Competitive Level, I have contacted tennis coaches at the schools, and they think I could play Varsity or high JV.
• Instruments (if any):
• Other ECs (if any): I have a big volunteering project, MUN debate, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Student Council, Robotics building and coding, and I am self-taught. Building computer, keyboards, etc. Also Im very into Photography and videography, I have submitted my pictures and videos as media through Gateway.
• Hook: Dont really know, maybe I’m Brazilian?
Location/Person:
• State or Country: Brazil
• Current School Type: British Private
• Ethnicity: Latino, white
• Gender: M
• Grade Applying For: 9
• Age:14
• Financial Aid/Full Pay: FA
Strengths:
I am an URM, and I find my interviewers and essays showcase how interesting I am compared to other candidates
Weaknesses: Grades, SSAT, especially grades because I have had drops in math and science very often.
Yeah I understand, I hope they get past my grades and get to look at the rest of my application, but I think they wont like my grades or even hate them but I hope they give me a chance
Did you consider Mercersburg Academy and the Peddie School ?
Andover & Exeter are often thought of as high pressure academic environments. Assuming that characterization is accurate, would you feel comfortable in such an environment ?
My best guess is that you have a fair chance at Lawrenceville, but that is just a guess.
I have a friend who is at Exeter, and he loves it. He has detailed how challenging it is, but I think I can manage it. Also, I have already finished the apps. I’m just hoping I get a shot at any school, my friend hade very similar stats and got into Exeter, + I have other important things in my app that he doesn’t.
My best guess is that reclassing might be expected to bring an applicant up to the average or median for the school. An SSAT score of 82 is well below that of both Andover & Exeter.
With respect to the remaining schools to which you applied, you may face stricter scrutiny if you need substantial financial aid (if those schools admissions are “need aware”).
An SSAT score of 82 is reasonable for a couple of schools on your list, but your chances would be better at Mercersburg Academy and at the Peddie School.
Your insights make sense, but I think the SSAT isn’t that important at all, the way I think it is, is just a standerdized test because admission commitees can’t trust solely on grades, I don’t think it can boost an application alot, but it may have a slight negative effect on mine.
Even if you got in the academics at Lawrenceville can be brutal, but if you’re not actually up to it, your grades will pay the price. In the sea of high achievers without the grades will definitely not help.
Why are you putting yourself in a situation but it’s harder than it needs to be when there are many great schools academically that might be more suited?
How did you make this list?
Many students have gotten in with low grades and lower scores to all of the schools. They are usually offering something that the school specifically wants or needs or they see something in the student that hasn’t had a chance to thrive in their current situation.
But as I said, even if you do get in, is it the right place?
I think I can handle the academics at these schools, I have a friend my age at Exeter and he described the academics as rigorous but doable. I think I offer something that the schools want, I’m Brazilian and live here, I don’t think many people from Brazil apply and even though I might not have all I have other attributes, I play a sport at the varsity level and I have an important involvement in community service. I believe these schools aren’t just about grades, but about the candidate itself and how the candidate can contribute to the school community. I hope I get in, but I will know how to move on if I don’t.
Of course I wish luck and success. I just think it is important to have your eyes wide open. Each student is different. For some it comes very easy, for others it is hard work. Just remember the name or reputation does not make it the best fit. While my daughter is doing well and thriving, there are things I wish we had consider or known more about when making our list, applying and deciding. Many are the shiny Penny at their current schools, it is hard to be the shiny penny against all the shiny pennies in one place. Many have already studied the curriculum overseas; re-classed academically, athletically, or both, making many students 2 years older than the typical US student, only heightening the competitive field.
The good think is it is only a few more weeks till M10 and no matter the outcome you will be better for having good through the process.
I also agree on the grades point, if the schools look at my grades and see that I can’t thrive in my current environment, they will reject me. And that is probably going to be the case, unfortunately I had a dip in grades last year in the most important subjects, even though I mainted a good average I wasn’t able to excell on whats the most important. So I guess it is what it is, All it takes is one school