Thinking about going to Exeter or other prestigious high schools

Prep School Admissions
1

Hi guys,

I am currently studying oversea in a top Canadian private school for grade 9. I am thinking about studying in the states later on maybe for grade 10 or 11. I am a pretty well-rounded guy and do quite good at math and science. I am not super bright in sports and is doing okay in music ( can play the piano, clarinet and trombone).My percentile for SSAT was 67 when i did it a year ago without preparation with Math being 97, Vocab 37 and Reading 44. I have leadership position and clubs joined at school. I have all A’s with a B at school and an average of 93. I have a few questions:

  1. Should I stay in Canada ? ( i feel like being too ambitious )

  2. Should I go at grade 10 or 11 ?

  3. What can I do now to increase my chance ?

2

You’re probably not going to Exeter with a 67% SSAT. You’ll need to work on that. I think more spots are open for 10th. If you’re in 9th now though, you’ve missed the application window. Only you can decide If you want to stay in Canada.

3

@GryffinHunter No it doesn’t

4

The average SSAT for Exeter is mid-90’s. With a stellar application, SSAT’s in the mid-80’s may gain admission. 67% will raise questions if you are able to handle the workload.

5

You’re asking others if you should stay in Canada. This decision is entirely up to you and something you need to seriously discuss with your family, not with virtual strangers on the Internet. Deciding whether or not to apply to/attend BS is a major life decision that you need to think carefully about. If you have any doubts at all, perhaps you should review your reasons for attending BS and compare them with your reasons for staying at your top school in Canada. Good luck! :slight_smile:

6

My advice is to study for the SSAT, apply, and see if you get in. If you do, (no one knows for sure and mostly everyone has the same chance:) ) visit the schools and if you like it, go, if not, then don’t :slight_smile:

7

Is there a super efficient way to study for SSAT or how does everyone study for it

8

@halulee there are a lot of books (amazon has a lot) and tutoring places if you live near one. There are also a lot of youtube videos and some free practice tests online.

9

In your original post you sound strong in all areas except English, where you are below average for Exeter or other top school. So it would make sense to choose whatever school you think can best help you master English. You should also focus on English right away, because the brain is better at learninng languages while you are young. That might be a school where your classes are easy so you have free time to chat and hang out with friends to practice, or it might be a school where you are boarding and always have to speak in English to participate in Harkness classes. You have to decide which will work better for you.

10

It is significantly harder to gain admission at most schools in 11th grade than it is in 10th or 9th