What do I have to do in order to get accepted into Phillips Exeter Academy?

Prep School Admissions
1

Hey, and this is my first time posting to this forum. Anyways, let me tell you my story.

My name is ReadyPlayaOne and I go to school in Oahu (Hawaii ; 8th Grade).

I am trying to get into Phillips Exeter Academy. I have been studying for the SSAT which I will take in November-January. I have been mostly studying vocab. I am making flashcards (40 a day) of SSAT Upper-Level Vocab and doing all the SSAT practice tests I can find.

About myself, I am very interested in tech and coding. In fact, I will be making a coding club at school to teach my peers how to code Python and Sequel. I am not interested at all, in any sports. I am very bad at all sports, probably because I’m skinny.

I used to go to 'Iolani in 6th grade. But, unfortunately, due to that of my mischievous behavior, I got kicked out. But they told me I could come back.

When I did the SSAT to go to that 'Iolani I got around the 82% percentile. I was applying to 6th grade at the time.

Then after I got kicked out, I got accepted into Mid-Pacific, another top school and I got put into the summer school because they wanted to see how I did, but in the final decision, I couldn’t go.

I also got waitlisted into Punahou, the school our 44th president, Barack Obama went to.

I then proceeded to a charter school in 7th grade.

So fast forward to now in 8th grade, I go to the same school, a charter school. I get Mostly A’s and sometimes B+'s.

So what do I have to do now, to get accepted into Exeter? My family would apply for financial aid by the way.

Sincerely, ReadyPlayaOne

2

How many different schools did you go to throughout middle school? And what type of “mischievous behavior” was severe enough to warrant expulsion? This could raise red flags for schools.

Also, why only apply to Exeter? Do you want to go to boarding school or only go to Exeter? If your goal is to go to boarding school, then you need to apply to more schools and cast a wide net.

3

Q:How many different schools did you go to throughout middle school?

A: 2

Q : And what type of “mischievous behavior” was severe enough to warrant expulsion? This could raise red flags for schools.

A: I hacked my school iPad’s to put games on it and did vending machine life hacks ( i watched this video on YouTube, I thought I could get any drink for the vending machine, but I was pretty stupid at the time and that was a big one)

Q: Also, why only apply to Exeter? Do you want to go to boarding school or only go to Exeter? If your goal is to go to boarding school, then you need to apply to more schools and cast a wide net.

A: I never thought about that, my mom did though, so I will have 2 backup schools

4

Edit: I wasn’t kicked out necessarily, I was asked to leave because I wasn’t ready for it yet.

The reason why I did those. For hacking the Ipads, I did it cause I was bored and wanted games to play.I don’t think I was ready at the time, I had challenges. But I am now confident to go to BS. I feel as if I learned from my mistakes. I can overtake those challenges now.

5

The real question is whether you want to go to BS. If yes, better to set your sights on schools that match your SSAT and grades to begin with (they may be more of a match than a backup). And that will depend on ECs and if/how they view the misconduct history. PEA is a reach for all and IMO will be essentially impossible based on what you posted.

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Why do you think? @Altras

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Hmm. I think coming from Hawaii is very much in your favor. There are very few kids at East Coast boarding schools from AK or HI. I think your grades, SSAT scores ( previous) and behavior patterns are not something that look favorable. Remember you would essentially have to knock out 9 great candidates for an acceptance ( given a roughly 10% acceptance rate). That means that they would have to believe you are better than those other candidates. Why not try for other schools if BS is your goal.

8

I am very fond of Exeter, because of the teaching styles (Harkness), and I feel like I would learn better that way. I seem to learn more hands-on and that’s what Exeter has. the extracurricular programs (such as computer science) and maybe even earth physics, and just the overall school. @Happytimes2001

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Well you can look up and see all the schools that use the Harkness method there are many other than Exeter. Some also use it in some classes but not all. It is a good learning method!

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I have to admit. I do have some challenges. For some of these, I feel like I have learned from these. How? My challenges got me asked to be out of PS. The effect (read #1 and #3) of what I did, has made me think about how these challenges are long behind me. I am ready.\

So what do I have to do to get in to BS. What do I have to work on? What do I have to improve on? What have I perfected? I am thinking about these.

Thanks!

Questions

  1. Any good boarding schools near or in NH other then Andover and Exeter that you suggest?
  2. is a 90%-95% percentile ssat OK? I know its just one part but im wondering if 5-10 percent matters
  3. What is Philips like for a new 9th grader?
  4. How is the Computer Science class/classes/curriculum like?
  5. if you want, tell me any tips

Thanks again

11

@ReadyPlayaOne Hey bro, I totally get where you’re coming from. This was me last year haha. A few things.

  1. It seems like you are dead-set on Exeter. (Literally me!) I considered every other school beneath them just because of the anchoring bias I experienced. The fact that Exeter was the first BS I ever heard of, and also happened to be the #1, literally knocked every other school out of site. I did have "Safety" but all of which where in the Ten Schools Administration, so needless to say they weren't really safties. And I think my lack of desire showed when I applied to those schools. You have no idea what I would do to go back and time and add just 2 or 3 more, good, but not top schools to my application list. I really feel you, and I totally get your whole "forget the past--I want Exeter" vibe, but please trust me, you don't understand the magnitude of how difficult it is to get into this school. Even with a PERFECT record. I know I didn't understand it, heck, I still probably don't. I'd be happy to recommend a few for you if you'd like, just say the word.
  2. You're from Hawaii, this will help a lot, but maybe not enough to overcome what looks like an expulsion. If you are comfortable with it, elaborate on this. Does it appear on your transcript? If so, what was the official reason? Etc. I probably won't use that data, but others 100% will on this board.
  3. Clearly, you are a very bright kid. Your so-called "disciplinary problems" were bad, yes. But, even the way you went about them was highly intelligent. Assuming that you didn't abuse the word "hack" (I doubt you did give your coding background), then that takes skill. Your SSAT scores affirm this. I do think you will benefit from the hustle-bustle life on the East Coast, or most BS. I've only ever been to Honolulu once, but even then, it just didn't seem the same as NYC. I think if you were challenged more, that would certainly do you well. Boarding schools also encourage the type of personal development you seem to know you need.

I know this isn’t exactly what I want to hear, I REALLY do. And I suspect you will be dismissive of this when you see it and continue full-steam-ahead on your Exeter endeavors. This passion is awesome, it will help you in your life. Again, you sound smart, but sometimes this drive can overpower the part of your mind trying to logic this out. Nevertheless, if anything, add a few more safety schools. Even if you never believe you will go. I really hope you get the chance to attend PEA, I’ve heard it is a magical place. But in the event you don’t get accepted, you’ll be happy you have a backup.

Hope you can gain something from this!

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You have Hawaii going for you, but it would be better if you were from North Dakota, had an alumni parent, qualified for 3 Varsity sports, can full pay, or were the son or daughter of royalty, a family living abroad or celebrity. yes, regular kids get in too, but as someone said you have to knock out 9 highly qualified competitors. Be interesting and hope to make a stand out positive impression on our interviewer… They see so many wannabes that its going to be hard. Whatever you do, don’t get out of your chair and demonstrate the Irish step dance. I am referring to the Andover Admissions head that said one girl did that and it is not necessary to get up and demonstrate your passions. Good Luck. The good news is that there are many top and beautiful NE boarding schools. Also, if you work hard, you can do just as well in College Admissions and in life coming from a public school.

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Ok! Thanks!. @preppedparent @coppii

I will be taking the SSAT in December and January in case I can get a higher score.

Also, the school I’m at now is based on sustainability > http://www.seeqs.org/ > I feel like that would definitely have something going for me, just look at the website. Right now I am doing a project where I am adding bikes to the school to reduce the amount of CO2 going into our atmosphere, so students can ride from and to school instead of they’re parents driving them.

Another thing I have going with me, I have a friend from Kamehameha Schools which is a very good PS school. I got the chance to visit a friend yesterday, who works in the IT department there. So that’s another recommendation!

Another thing I have going with me is when I was nine, I built a computer by myself, without any help. That’s one achievement I can show.

Anyways, what are some good backup schools? Specifically in the area of NH and around like between Andover and Exeter.

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You may want to check out SPS.

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@preppedparent St. Pauls? I am not Christian though, would that be a problem?

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No, all these schools are non denominational and want students of different backgrounds and religions. It’s got the great Episcopal traditions though as does St. Georges, and Groton and others. Can’t go wrong with SPS if you want to stay in NH and attend a top notch BS.

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Ok! Do they have a good CS (Computer Science) curricular?

18

You’re going need more schools.

Don’t mind me… I’ll just let myself out. :wink:

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@PhotographerMom Ok! Do you have any suggestions?

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Schools that focus on CS is more of a discussion for college, not for high school (BS or other). Better to search for a well-rounded school that is strong (or at least not weak) in science and math.

As for other schools, Google search for BSs in the geographic area you desire, or start with your favorite list/ranking of schools and gather as much data as you need/can about each. Sites like boardingschoolreview.com can give quick stats that can be helpful, including avg SSAT. You typically want to be above the avg for your matches and safties. The process is long and hard (but also exciting) and nobody’s opinion on this or any other forum about where you should apply should replace that process.

Speaking from experience, I’m sure geodiversity is helpful to your app, but do not consider it a hook by any means. Once the first 8 of 10 are eliminated and its down to you and a similarly matched candidate from NE, that’s when geodiversity will help.