<p>math should be a strong point of internationals. it's a universal language. verbal and reading, not so much but having a high score in math is expected. especially if you're asian</p>
<p>let me share my personal experience - i was accepted at all 4 schools i applied to - Lawrenceville, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, and Peddie. My SSAT scores were not very good, i scored in the 50-60th percentile. However, my gpa was very high. Dont be discouraged if your scores arent where you want them to be. Crush your interview and do a great job with your essays and you will get in. Its not as hard of a process as people say it is.</p>
<p>1laxer- where did you end up going out of those schools.......
I am scared that I will get accepted to Deerfield, Exeter, Taft, and Lawerenceville, and not know where to go.</p>
<p>1laxer, how good of a lacrosse player were you and how much do you think that had to do with your admissions? I'm not being snarky, I'm just curious. NOLA has the simple fact that he lives in NO going for him. Tennis is another plus. There are a lot of factors to consider.</p>
<p>i have a question...
im taking my SSAT in a week and i dont reaqlly have the time..........what is the lowest persentile i could get to have a chance in getting accepted??????</p>
<p>BTW i really need some tips with the verbal</p>
<p>1st percentile is the lowest percentile you could have with a chance of admission. :)</p>
<p>what do you mean? every percentile has a chance.. some percentiles just have higher chances than others. haha. & it depends on what kind of boarding school (HEADS, or a military/reformitory school. 2 completely different things..)</p>
<p>verbal is pretty easy. there's no need to panic it's the reading that did me in! grrr. also, if you make 1 mistake in reading comp, you drop to 764. well, thingslost did, anyways. seriously, just get a good night's sleep before you take the test.. the SSATs aren't THAT hard, so rather than panicking, study without going overboard and be well-hydrated! do not go to the SSATs, twitching from being over-caffeinated .. haha, yeah.</p>
<p>@ 1laxer: surely you must have had a significant hook??</p>
<p>That is a little... Unrealistic.</p>
<p>IF you look at Exeter's list of "Characteristics of Successful Applicants" the academic highlights are:
-Strong ability in Mathematics. IS a 1% a sign of strong ability in Mathematics?
-Proven academic success with grades of more A's than B's. Low scores make your As look less impressive... IF you score poorly in math and have a 99%... The admissions rep thinks: Grade inflation? Is the school too easy?
-Self-disciplined study habits along with organizational abilities and time management skills. IF you have a low score and studied to raise it... Then you showed Self-disciplined study habits.
-Studying a classical or modern language(If offered at your current school). Do you take a language... </p>
<p>Those are the only academic things that Exeter specifically highlights as being important. NOTE: Nothing about the SSAT... Fancy that? The SSAT's importance really comes out when they are compared with your grades and recommendations.</p>
<p>haha, nono, i was using sarcasm. sort of. </p>
<p>like, 1st percentile at HEADS is .. haha, unrealistic is an understatement. but 1st percentile is acceptable at places like military or reformitory schools, you know? she didn't mention which kind of school she was going to, and generally, 1st is the lowest (and thus, lowest possible) score to get admission. is that more clear? (i know my posts are confusing sometimes .. teehee)</p>
<p>For sure. That post made me think: Is this person legit?
I got it now though.</p>
<p>I think a harsh reality will hit alot of people really soon... That reality? It is the reality that you arn't that special. Sorry to be a kill joy, I'm just making a prediction.</p>
<p>italian boarder,</p>
<p>can u give me the link to that list? i wanna read the whole thing :)</p>
<p>hey italianboarder, what did you get on SSAT? (Not being snitty, it's just that you seem really experienced.) :D</p>
<p>what if your school doesnt offer a language, italianboarder?</p>
<p>their putting standards on peolple that can't achieve it because some people don't have that kind of opportunity</p>
<p>Exeter says "If availible at current school"- their exact words. If you don't have the opportunity at your school... Then you are still ok.
I got a 99% on my SSAT. I can answer any questions about it and whatever. Just shoot me a PM or facebook or whatever. I'm doing essays right now so I'll be at my computer for an hour.</p>
<p>I copy and pasted the list for your convenience:
Phillips Exeter Academy
The successful applicant will have many of the following
characteristics:
Intellectual curiosity and desire for academic rigor
Proven academic success with grades of more A's than B's
Strong character
Embrace living in a diverse community
Willingness to engage in conversation as well as being an
active listener
Welcomes the company of adults
Cooperative team member in group settings
Self-disciplined study habits along with organizational
abilities and time management skills
Love of reading and writing
Strong ability in mathematics
Studying a classical or modern language (if available at
current school)
Involvement in and commitment to extracurricular
activities at school or in your community</p>
<p>
[quote]
Studying a classical or modern language<a href="If%20offered%20at%20your%20current%20school">b</a>**
[/quote]
</p>
<p>They take the school context into consideration.</p>
<p>active listener.....oh wow not good, not good at all. i usually sit in the back of the classroom talking with my friends</p>
<p>^ Are you sure you'll adapt to a boarding school class?</p>
<p>yeaaa i can. i just prefer socializing, one of the highlights of school, well, except learning</p>
<p>italianboarder, I read your previous post and would like to ask sth: If you were the adcom what would you say if sb scored high on the Math of SSAT but only got average grades in his math course at school? Will they think the course was VERY challenging or the student was just being lazy? Thanks in advanced for your input!</p>
<p>Since this is math related... You outlined:
X- SSAT score
Y- MAth Grade</p>
<p>You forgot Z.
Z- Math Teacher Recommendation</p>
<p>The SSAT tests raw knowledge and the grade reflects their "application". I'll lay out the possibilities that are most likely according to the variations in Z.
If the teacher recommendation says the student is not as proactive, not as willing to accept criticism or has below average qualities(The common recommendation form has a box of characteristics and the teacher marks the box that best matches the student(The boxes are: one of the top individuals I have ever met, top 10% of his year, Above average, average, below average and no grounds to compare)).
They will assume that he has alot of horsepower and just can't get into 5th gear. He is stuck in neutral basically.
If he is applying as a freshman: FINE! They have plenty of time to instill work ethic. Or else you will not do very well. They don't want you to be a total unmotivated shmuck. You have to try, but they will help you get into gear.</p>
<p>If he is applying as a Junior/Senior: This is a risk for the school. It means that you arn't applying yourself... If you arn't applying yourself now. Will you when you are at an elite school? Can they help you with two/one year at their school? Are you worth it?</p>
<p>If his teachers gives him some pretty decent rankings then they will assume that the course is difficult. Simple as that. </p>
<p>They will think lazy if the teacher says, "This kid doesn't try! He isn't maxing himself out!"
OR if the teacher doesn't give them a stellar review if they have stellar scores. An average review for average grades would signal that the course is hard. </p>
<p>IF you need anything else. Post away. I'm sure people have the exact same questions.</p>
<p>Ah, I love it when applicants themselves pretend they are experts on what an admission officer would do.</p>
<p>italianboarder, et al, there are so many more things to consider.</p>
<p>Is the teacher recommendation coming from a math teacher at a rigorous and highly populated suburban public school, a selective private school, a parochial school, or an average or underserved public school? Is the recommendation coming from the applicant's own parent (in the case of a homeschooled student)? How many students are in the class (listed on the math teacher recommendation--sometimes 12, sometimes 40!). The context in which someone checks "top student I've ever encountered/top 10%" is considered differently depending on the student's circumstances.</p>
<p>Is the math course designated an "honors" course? If so, how many different levels of math are offered at that school (the admission officer would consult the School Report/School Profile)? Which one is the student taking?</p>
<p>The math teacher recommendation also lists which textbook is used in the class, which can give the admission officer an idea about how rigorous the math program is. </p>
<p>The most competitive schools are too competitive to wait for a ninth grader to "get" a work ethic. The light bulb has to be turned on already. Some boarding schools might cut them some slack, but not the most competitive ones. There are plenty of applicants who have BOTH high SSATs and high grades in math AND very positive math teacher recommendations.</p>