<p>I know there are probably multiple threads about this and I admit I'm being lazy...(sorry)...
But, in many threads I have read people saying that you can't go by what is on that site in regars to average SSAT scores and % admitted. Really? Why?</p>
<p>And, then kind of related, what about average SAT scores? And, how do they score SAT's now? When I was taking them (like a hundred years ago) it was verbal and math - 800 each - 1600 total. Now I'm seeing average scores of 2000 and wondering how that can be. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The SAT has changed a lot since you and I took it. There was a "renorming of scores about 10 or so years ago (raising the average a little strangely enough). In addition a couple of years back, they added a writing (essay) portion to the test, so now there is a total 2400 possible score (3 x 800).</p>
<p>The Boarding School Review information is only as good as those putting it in. Often, schools will not update the data for a couple of years, during which the averages will change. Percent admitted is also a self-reported percentage. Some schools will use different denominators (fully completed applications vs. partially completed applications).</p>
<p>Personally, I find the statistics to be a general indicator of things that will get you reasonably close to what you want to know. If your child's SSAT scores (and projected SAT scores from that test) would indicate that s/he will score 1450 on the SAT, you can tell that s/he will be a top achiever at a school with a 1300 SAT average (and probably more likely to get FA - but I digress).</p>
<p>Hope this is helpful.</p>
<p>Thanks. It's really hard to figure things out. I did find another post from early in the year (and not really an answer to it) that made the comment that the "top" schools have median SSAT scores in the 90's. Then it seems like everyone else is in the 70's or below. We were talking last night about why there are very few schools with the medians (or whatever it is that is reported) in the mid 80's (or even in the 80's at all!). I have no idea.<br>
Obviously, scores are not the whole story, by any stretch.<br>
But with an 87 overall (I honestly can't remember how it broke down math and verbal) with no prep (his school doesn't believe it helps), we figure with a study guide he could probably break 90. Good grades - not all A's though.<br>
Where does that put him? I know a lot of other factors go into "fit" but from the academic standpoint, it seems he is in between. Or am I missing something?
THANKS!</p>
<p>I think the grades will hurt him more than an 87% SSAT for a "top tier" BS. Get him to get his grades up if that's what he's aiming for.</p>
<p>Remember that the average or mean is heavily effected by hooked candidates, Athletes will tend to have much lower SSATs as will the kids from diversity programs, the legacies and faculty brats. The kids applying on the basis of being strong at academics need to bring the average up. So if a kid does not have a hook chances are his SSAT will be above average for any school. Add in aid and you need to be considerably above average.</p>
<p>I know all that.<br>
We are not sure he wants or will fit in at at "top tier" school. In fact, Exeter and Andover have already been ruled out by us all due to their size. DA and SPS are boarderline on the size. </p>
<p>What no one seems to know is...
Is there a reason why there are very few (if any) schools that report median SSAT scores in the low-mid 80's.</p>
<p>You do seem to know a great deal so will you share? Where are the kids you know getting great aid? Are you talking big dollar aid? What have you seen in terms of where kids rank who get good aid? Most people posting here are kids, there's little information to sink your teeth into as on the college boards.</p>
<p>I can't answer that -- about the number of schools that report mid-80 SSAT median scores -- but I caution you not to get too zeroed in on SSAT scores. The schools look at them to see if the student can handle the workload. Once that's been established, there's no competitive edge (or disadvantage) by an 85%ile applicant and a 95%ile applicant. As you'll see over time, the difference between those scores could be just 3 questions overall. The meat of the application is what distinguishes the applicants.</p>
<p>Also, as to Andover and Exeter, your desire for smaller schools is noted. I just think it's worth pointing out that there's a huge upside to a larger student body that shouldn't be overlooked. Smaller is not better in every way. At Exeter, we were astounded by what they could do with the music programs because they could draw from a larger population. And while well-rounded is still a premium, they don't have to be as concerned about searching for students who have athletic skills that will keep their athletic teams competitive. They have the luxury -- from their size -- to pick out other applicants who stay engaged in student life from 3 to 6 p.m. in ways that won't lead to a conference title. Not that smaller schools are dominated by jocks, but -- as obvious as it sounds -- I think people forget that you can get a more diverse student body if you're selecting more students. And that leads to more opportunities. Big -- and 1,000 is still much smaller than my local HS -- isn't evil. (I'm not assuming you have made that mistake, Linda S; I'm just sticking this reminder to others who pass by that in some ways bigger is better.)</p>
<p>Here is my guess: Some parents do not want to pay for boarding school unless it is a top-tier name brand school. Parents whose children receive aid have to make large sacrifices to meet their payment, and a full $40,000 is a burden for most. As a result, there is heavy loading into the top schools, allowing them to select from the best of the best, which includes (along with talents, achievements, etc.) the highest ssat scores. The tiers down select from a range of abilities, which lowers ssat averages. </p>
<p>That said, I'm glad you realize that you cannot trust the numbers on boardingschoolreview. They are only as good as the information provided. I've seen schools update some numbers but not update others that are not current. So even if the entry gives a date of the last update, it is not likely to be a complete update. If you want firm numbers, you should call the schools directly. </p>
<p>I remember that St. Marks School and St. George have ssats in the 85% range. There are others.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the schools have to pay fees to the website for it to be updated. In the two and a half years since my daughter started looking at boarding schools, most of the schools she looked at have not changed at all. I think at this point the stats for most schools are woefully out of date.</p>
<p>Thank you Burb, D'yer and Shelley. All makes sense.</p>