<p>I haven't posted on here in a while, but thought I'd log on to see if I can help you with any questions. I work with students who are applying to boarding schools of all types, and I work with students from all over the world. I certainly don't know everything, but have learned a lot over the years. If you have any questions, i'll try to answer!</p>
<p>I would greatly appreciate it, if you would take a look at (and possibly comment) on my thread “Far below SSAT and ISEE Scores”. I wanted to get a consultant’s perspective… Thank you!</p>
<p>Hey, welcome back! Long time, no see! :)</p>
<p>Oh sure I did see the post about the low SSAT scores. Of course test scores don’t mean everything, they can fluctuate, and don’t always predict a student’s success in the long run. however, in my experience, it can predict success in the short run. </p>
<p>I would say that math has caused you some trouble and there may be some gaps in your math knowledge. You are young and have plenty of time to address this before college, so that is good. I’d recommend some schools that have more support, are more flexible to different learning styles, and will help you make up some ground with math. On your list, Dana Hall is the only one that I think might fit the bill. that is a competitive school which also has a nurturing, supportive side.</p>
<p>Don’t be discouraged, but definitely look at this in the big picture and how you want to reach your goals for high school. Good luck!</p>
<p>Here’s a zillion dollar question: How do you help a family select their “apply to” list of schools? </p>
<p>Related Qs: Do you first have the student take an SSAT test? Do SSAT scores help you shape the “apply to” list at all?</p>
<p>And finally, a curveball: Do you have a favorite “hidden gem” school that people considering the most rigorous/most selective should also put on their lists?</p>
<p>Sure, I can answer that. In developing the list of schools to apply to, I consider the following: Grades, testing, activities/interests, also location, distance from home, structure, rigor, and campus culture and try to find a good fit that way.</p>
<p>Yes, SSAT score is a big part of it! For kids that don’t have the SSAT yet, I can estimate based on a few things: past testing they have done at school. (ie, if they got a 75% on an Iowa test, or proficient on a NJ Ask), then we know that they aren’t going to score high enough on SSAT for top tier schools). I can also gauge the potential score through a combination of looking at a writing sample, asking how much they read on their own, and discussing their feelings about math! I swear, this really works! Looking at grades alone is not a good predictor, since I’ve seen many A students with dismal testing.</p>
<p>But in the end, the list is adjusted when the testing comes in. My toughest battle is when a student is low performing, and I predict very low testing which will reqire cognitive function testing, and the parents don’t like that label or are worried about where that will take them. When really, where it usually takes them is to a lot of help for their child.</p>
<p>as for my favorite hidden gems: I love Peddie, but I’m not sure how hidden that one is. Episcopal HS in Virginia and St George’s in RI as long as the kid is happy with a traditional preppy school, and of course, Cate!</p>
<p>Would you think that hiring a consultant increases an applicant’s chance of getting in, or does it merely demystify/make the app process easier? And… I’m assuming that those who can afford to hire a consultant are financially well off… do you find that most families who come to you to app to BS is because the applicant is interested, the parents are interested, or parents and applicant are interested?</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>Cherry Rose,</p>
<p>I think that consultants help tremendously for the overall process. Whether they can help to, say, get a particular child into one particular school, is harder to say. If they come in talking about Exeter, we suggest other schools that might be better fits or more likely accepts. But I do think we add value in making the application stronger. Keep in mind that many applicants use a consultant—not just those who hire an independent consultant, but students from k-8 or k-9 private schools with placement officers, students from ABC or Prep for Prep programs, or international students. I’d say at least half of applicants (maybe more?) get some help.</p>
<p>But those of you on CC share information pretty well, so you get a lot of help here.</p>
<p>As for “whose idea is boarding school?” That depends. With high achieving kids, it’s usually the child. With those in need of extra support, it is usually driven by the parent. Sometimes I don’t really know whose idea it is, or it is driven by their home location or some circmstance. but I’ve realized everyone has a reason for boarding school, at this price, it is not a decision made on a whim!</p>
<p>Hi! I’m wondering if you might be able to respond to [this</a> thread](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1282149-nmh-berkshire-suffield-millbrook-tabor-blair.html]this”>NMH,Berkshire,Suffield,Millbrook,Tabor,Blair? - Prep School Admissions - College Confidential Forums) inquiring about NMH, Berkshire, Suffield, Millbrook, Tabor, and Blair. Other than NMH and Blair, these schools are only rarely discussed on this forum and information about them is sparse. Thanks!</p>
<p>Dodgersmom,</p>
<p>It’s kind of hard to just throw out some phrases about a school to explain what it is like. But let’s see—Millbrook, is smaller, has a zoo, great quality school where every student is known and appreciated. They have a great community and offer good learning support. Students who need more structure and support do really well here. That’s just few thoughts on that one—the others are all good too and very different in feel from each other, so you’d have to visit and find the right match for a particular kid. It’s just too hard to generalize, much easier to comment on whether they are a good match for a particular student. Good luck!</p>
<p>Would you say that it’s an advantage or disadvantage for someone from the UK applying to US boarding schools?
Also, How do the schools look at applicants from schools like mine, where there aren’t any proper grades given until the end of 10th grade? do they just look more at SSAT scores and teacher recs?</p>
<p>How much info is too much with consultants? My incredibly bright outgoing athletic etc etc daughter wants to go to boarding school in part to escape an overbearing father. She scored in the 95%ile in standardized tests and we don’t need financial aid. I’m planning to use a consultant because we’re not at all familiary with boarding schools. Should we share this info with the consultant? Should we even hint at it with the boarding school? My D is in 6th grade, so we’re starting early. Also, does summer school @ BS help in admissions at all? Thanks for any insights!</p>
<p>Hi and thank you for taking the time. My son is in a gifted school that has no sports. But he is at a high school 10-11th grade level academically. He’s in the 7th grade. He takes archery and piano lessons for EC’s Because he doesn’t play sports for a school would that be held against him? I keep seeing posts saying that grades aren’t enough that he needs community service and sports. Is there a point when grades are “The HOOK” that some parents say you need?</p>
<p>@kouell I think the hook is supposed to be something other than academics.</p>
<p>OP: I like to read your thumbnail impressions of the HADES schools plus Choate & Lawrenceville. Thanks !</p>
<p>@xrayvision: Is the 95% score on the SSAT ? If not, it might help to specify which standardized was taken.</p>
<p>Question, what would you consider a strong extra-curricular list. Should you focus on one thing like the arts or sports? Or should you be equally well rounded? Should you have at least one sport or something? Et cetera…</p>
<p>@edujunky, for EC’s depth is more impressive than breadth</p>
<p>Regardings SSAT scores: I have heard mixed things about them. Some say they are all important and others say they would be the “tie break” in case of many qualified applicants. Can you give us any insight?</p>
<p>For example, a kid who has good grades, is a good athlete, and has meaningful EC’s but horrible SSAT scores vs. a kid who has stellar SSAT scores, and great grades, but only minimal sport or EC’s… </p>
<p>How would those kids fare in the admission process - especially at “Tier 2” schools?</p>
<p>I would like to know what you think of the Think Global School as an option for high school ([THINK</a> Global School ? THINK Global School is an IB-authorized traveling high school. Every year, our school travels to three international cities to explore, study and learn.](<a href=“http://www.thinkglobalschool.org%5DTHINK”>http://www.thinkglobalschool.org)). I’m not a student but learned about this school a while ago and am just curious about how a consultant might view it.</p>
<p>It’s approximately 100k/year without travel expenses factored in. Students live in three different countries per year as international students - 12 countries total for four year students. They are IB certified, but they’re so new that I don’t think they’ve graduated a class yet.</p>
<p>Amazing opportunity or a flagrant show of wealth and privilege? They do have scholarships and encourage people of all income levels to apply, but 100+k is just… wow.</p>
<p>Any thoughts? Thank you!</p>
<p>Oops, I don’t know what happened to my link above. Sorry.</p>