@bluetoon I don’t think it’s a question of which schools “definitely discourage repeats”. Many people have shared their successes in applying as a repeat to x, y or z schools but that’s not been our experience. (On the other hand we’re on the application end vs the admit end.) The AO’s have, for the most part, been very direct (I think) about their perspectives as to which grade would be the best fit (supposedly without compromising DD’s chances). I had thought, based on CC folks I’ve been in direct contact with (off forum) that DD would be encouraged to apply as a repeat, especially since she is a FA applicant. Not so. I think it’s a combination of many things: current & past grades, level of difficulty of courses taken, SSAT scores, recommendations, extracurriculars and then…character (as in strength of). At some schools I think it goes a looooong way if you’re a lacrosse star…others a music prodigy…and of course there is math. So, like many wise folks before us have said…it’s all about fit. (It takes quite a bit of ground work to figure that one out.) But, yes, we did ask about repeating 9th and were surprised that basically what we got was “no, not necessary”. Only one school said, “good to know you’re open to 9th because that may help if it comes down to FA”. We will see what happens on 3/10. p.s. in case it’s not glaringly obvious, FA candidates need to come in above the mark (so to speak). There’s not enough raw data on this forum to chart that out with any accuracy or great detail but I think that if you’re in the process long enough, talk to enough people (including AOs) and read all of what’s here on the forum, you will come to the same conclusion. I could fill volumes with first-hand stories of kids (we know) who are going to this that or the other school with C’s and D’s (but who are “brilliant” on the field). We even had one AO tell us “I’m sure we have students whose SSAT scores are in the 40th percentile.” !!! Not kidding. (Could not believe he actually said this in an interview context. Very illuminating. Note: There was zero irony. School shall remain unnamed.)