Advice from a Philips Exeter Grad and current Princeton student

As a student who was accepted into prestigious boarding schools such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, as well as currently attending Princeton University, I’ve learned some valuable lessons that I’d like to share with international students who are embarking on a similar journey. Here is some advice based on my personal experiences.

The thing to understand when applying to these top ranked schools and universities is that the baseline is to consistently make top grades, perform at the highest percentile in standardized tests, and to participate in extracurriculars. However, thousands of kids each year apply with these statistics; thus, you need to find something that is particular to you that makes you standout. Here are some general tips on how to set yourself apart from others:

Top Ranked USA Boarding Schools

Take Advantage of Opportunities

The key to standing out among thousands of applicants is to make the most of the opportunities available to you at your middle school. Top ranked American boarding schools have plenty of opportunities that other high schools don’t have, so they want to see that potential students will take advantage of what is available to them. Top boarding schools seek students who are engaged, proactive, and involved in various academic and extracurricular activities. Participate in clubs, academic competitions, community service projects, and any other opportunities that spark your interest.

Find a Passion

While academic achievements and extracurricular involvement are important, showcasing a genuine passion sets you apart. Identify something you are passionate about and highlight it in your application. Your “passion” should not be something that you think only sounds like what schools want, or that fit perfectly into who you are as an academic student, rather it should be something that truly excites you. For instance, you may be someone who loves math, but also are passionate about theater and participate in performances in your free time. These types of activities add more depth and personality to your application.

Spend Time Volunteering

Top boarding schools look for students who demonstrate a commitment to making an impact on the world. Spend time participating in activities to help other people. While succeeding in the classroom and performing well in extracurriculars are important, these top schools, more than anything, are looking to find good people who will change the world in a positive way. For instance, you could spend time volunteering to tutor younger students.

Approach Interviews as Conversations

Prepare for typical questions in interviews such as “Why are you interested in our school?” However, don’t spend time trying to memorize robotic responses to other potential questions. Think of your interview as a free-flowing conversation with someone at the school. Interviews are a chance for admissions officers to see who you are as a person, so if your only responses are programmed and memorized only to “impress” interviewers, it will be obvious to admissions officers. Instead, create a list of important characteristics about yourself that you want to share, and find ways to fit them into your conversation with the interviewer.

Be Yourself in Essays

Be sure to have others proofread your essays and ensure your grammar is accurate; however, the writing should be yours and not someone else’s. Admissions officers can tell what is written by a middle school student and what is written by an adult. Find something to write about that is very particular to you and pick out key details and moments from your experiences. Don’t try to search for what you think admissions officers want to hear; rather, write about something that excites you. For instance, if you enjoy playing a certain instrument, be specific with the feeling you get when you’re playing, or the emotions that you feel. These key details and experiences are personal to only you.

Applying to Top Ranked Universities

Standardized Testing

Your target is to score in the top 1% of the SAT or ACT but recognize this is the standard, rather than something that sets you apart from all other applicants. Achieving excellence in other activities will be far more impactful than improving your SAT by only 10-20 points, so once you achieve a score that is strong (look at the scores of students who got into your school of interest), don’t worry about continuing to retake the test.

Highlight Your Strengths

It is important to be a well-rounded person, but it is a misconception to think that these most competitive schools only want people who are good at everything. Top universities are looking for students who are still well-rounded but are great at one or a few things. If you want to major in computer science, spend time writing your own code or working on more projects outside of the classroom. If you are interested in the arts, create a project on your own and submit a portfolio.

Understand the University

While looking for colleges, be sure to do enough research to understand what is specific about the school you are applying to; be familiar with what type of students they are looking for and how you fit into their plan. Not all top schools, such as Ivy Leagues, are the same. They have different academic programs, and place emphasis on different factors to promote a specific type of school culture. Be sure to know these particulars so that you can promote yourself to the school and best showcase how you would fit into their program.

Crafting Personal and Supplemental Essays

Approach your essays strategically by considering how the information you share can benefit the university. Share experiences and stories that demonstrate your personal growth and the skills you’ve acquired. Be specific and use descriptive language to make your essays memorable and impactful.

Applying to top boarding schools and universities is undoubtedly a competitive process, but with dedication, authenticity, and a focus on your strengths and passions, you can present a compelling application that sets you apart from the rest. Remember to stay true to yourself, engage in meaningful experiences, and approach each step with enthusiasm and confidence. Best of luck on your journey to pursuing education at the highest level!

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