I am an 8th grade white female. I run Cross Country and Track, and I am also in NJHS, FBLA, and STEM club. I have also maintained straight As, and I am in the most adavnced classes offered at my school. Recently I did my interviews and they all seemed to go well. I don’t know how I will do on the SSAT, but there are many Algebra concepts on there which I will have learned by the time I take my test in January. The best reference I can give is my SAT score from 7th grade. I got an 1170( 640 reading 530 math) with almost no studying and I wasn’t familiar with the math portion. Also, if I get a lower percentile on my SSAT than most admits, will the schools take into account that I go to a low quality public school, so my score dosen’t reflect my abilities?
I also forgot to add that I am Vice President of Student Council.
I would really appreciate if someone could comment, i’ve gotten over 100 views and… nothing.
Assuming a 90th percentile plus on your SSATs and that your interviews went well, you sound very much like my son who was accepted into a very similar school that is not on your list.
However, all those top schools accept roughly 18% of applicants. So, even with a perfect SSAT you are looking at 18%. You have to hope you are the puzzle piece missing from their incoming class. Roughly 2,500 will apply for 300 seats. 2,000 applicants will be “perfect” students and citizens (500 might be a reach/out of their league).
But you sound like a candidate they would all seriously consider.
Good luck and feel free to ask me any other Qs.
Just noticed your SSAT Q…the SSATs are HUGE at most of these schools. With 2,000 equally qualified applicants they need to see who has the capacity to meet the rigor of classes. Academically these schools are a CHALLENGE, and that is an understatement. Particularly for tests/exams/labs. It is sink or swim. If you are sinking, you need to seek help yourself. You will be 100% independent of your parents.
That said, plenty of 99% SSAT percentiles are denied.
One score in the 80s might work, but expect to need to balance that with the other score in the 90s. If you are testing in the 50s-70s, acceptance is doubtful.
The SSAT tests material at the high school level, so no applicants had exposure to it all in G8 regardless of the school. So, no, they won’t care that your public school did not prep you well.
So study for your SSATs. We did 2x a week tutoring in Math for 8-10 sessions to prep my son. His ELA side was very strong so he took that portion without practice. I think his Math ended up high 80s and it worked out in his case.
Again, your resume sounds good. Study up and good luck.
Thanks for the advice!
I would recommend you take the SSAT before January and then use the January test as your second go. Many kids seem to need two tries to get their best score. Nerves while taking this test are a real thing.
Do you have competitive times in Cross Country and Track? Have you met with the coaches at your target schools? Are they supporting your application with admissions?
I wanted to add that I disagree that SSAT scores are huge as stated above. They are certainly important but schools are not basing admissions mostly on SSAT scores. Some of the most competitive schools are actually reading applications without scores and then cross-referencing with the aim of making sure the kids can handle the work. So important to do a solid job, yes. Important to score a perfect score, no. Think that a perfect score will boost your application? It will not. Grades, recommendations, essays, interviews are more important. The schools want to know who you are and how you will contribute to their community. Then they are looking at SSAT scores to make sure you can handle the workload. What causes anxiety, of course, is that none of us know what the SSAT “cut off” is. My guess is that with a very solid app greater than 80% on SSAT probably means you are ok.
I’m taking the first test on October 19th, January is my second test date.
I haven’t talked to any of the coaches. One of the track coaches from my safety school (Williston Northampton) contacted me and seemed impressed by my times. I’m not really sure how to talk to coaches or reach out. My times for Cross Country are decent, about a minute or two slower than some of the top 10 national girls for my division. Track times are faster, although I haven’t competed in club track(I’m going to this year) Upon comparison of my times and national results, I can place in the top 5 once I get into training for track (currently in top 13)
Go on the school websites, there should be athletic interest forms that you can fill out. That is a good place to start. Coach support can be huge for admissions.
I couldn’t find anything on the websites. Should I just email the coaches directly? I don’t even know what I would say.
I would email the person who interviewed you and ask for an introduction to the coaches. Some of those schools definitely have forms for “prospective student athletes.”
Andover does without a doubt. Usually they are on team pages.
Yes, absolutely email them. I just looked on the Andover and Lawrenceville websites and the coaches are listed there. As one1ofeach said, they are on the team pages.
To the OP - my kiddo attends one of the schools on your list and also had similar combo of athletics and STEM - plus performing arts. As many on CC have posted, it’s not just about your stats - AO’s seek happy and confident kids that are well adjusted enough to live away from home. They seek students who can be a contributing member of a school community. How will you contribute? You may have already answered this during interviews and will have another change in the written application.
FWIW, kiddo also connected or tried to connect with every coach in her sports and also the relevant faculty member/director for the performing arts - kiddo had an audition at a couple of schools. Videos of performances/sports and also an art portfolio was sent. You can find out the names of the team coaches on team pages for each school.
- If you are reading this and have yet to interview or tour the school, please make arrangements way in advance to connect with coaches.
I agree with posters above. The SSAT is a very small part of the picture. And I have never ever heard that it tests high school level anything. My kid took it with zero prep ( and from a public school) and scored 99%. And yet got into only 2/4 schools.
The spaces are limited for each of these schools. One has to factor in boy/girl, day/boarding, Full pay/FA, region and then factor in everything else. My kid had really good activities and grades and was surprised not to be everywhere. lol. It all worked out. But it is definitely not a shoe-in at any school.
There are an amazing pool of candidates at all these schools. You should definitely contact all of the coaches and spend time on your essays.
Reaching out to the coaches can only help your app get noticed more. Thats exactly what my son did and in the end he had coaches advocating for him as well as the AOs. Reaching out shows that you take the initiative which is a great quality for a teen. Keep the emails going and visit the schools during their games. Make sure you give a quick hello to the coach AND asst coach AFTER the games as this will help you stand out.
My son is having much success at Lville and still says hello to the coaches from the other schools that wanted him whenever they compete. They remember him because he did the things I’m suggesting you do as well. Best luck to you!
@Projects2Prep I run XC and Track and I tried to contact some of the coaches a couple months ago. It seemed kind of awkward and I heard that it doesn’t really matter if you reach out or not. I’m conflicted, but if talking to coaches more will help, I’ll give it another shot.
The Hotchkiss XC coach seemed kind of disinterested because their program isn’t very good. The Deerfield coach just straight up ignored my email.
@ens2006 - have you had your interviews with these schools already?