Can I get into Phillips Andover with High Grades, Good Extra-Cirruclars, but average SSAT Score?

Prep School Admissions
1

Hello, I am currently in 9th grade and applying to Phillips Andover for 10th grade. I haven’t yet taken the SSAT yet, I have in 9th grade and my average was an 82%. I am studying hard to get alteast a 90% overall but I am worried I will fall into the high 80s or high 70s.

My Extra Circulars are:
Swimming Varsity: ( 11 years)
Boy Scouts: ( 7-8 years)
Flute: ( 5 years )
Model UN ( 4 years)
Community Service ( 7 years )
Leader of the school newspaper and school insider ( 1 year )
Non-profit ( 1 year )

Grades:
Biology Regular: A
Math Regular. ( Algebra 2 and Geometry) : A
English: A+
History: A-
French: A

Teachers Recconmdations ( paraphrased):

Biology: Has the highest grade of the class, the top student of the grade. Shows and puts in the most effort of all of his classes. Gives questions everyone can learn from

Math: Extremely advanced, has a lot of potential in Math and puts in a lot of hard work, one of the top students:

English/Reading: Has a 99% in the class, reads many advanced books, puts in hard work and effort, works on many projects. Writers strong essays

French: has a 94% in the class, puts in a tremendous effort which pays of in his tests and grades, can work on accents.

History: Writing is developing for history essays, work on grammar and spelling.

Projects:
I have started a non-profit, with Harvard University and MIT labs to build and make filters to fix the Pakistani Arsenic Crisis. I researched with Professors and students from MIT and Harvard to work on this project. I have also worked with Harvard Stem Cell Labs, MIT Plasmatic Energy Labs, Harvard WYSS Instuite, MIT Clean energy and clean solar power.

If I do average on the SSAT, will it hurt my application? Will my grades, reccomnadtions, and extra-circulars be overlooked? I know SSATS are a major part of it as well as the interview and essays.

Again, I am taking the SSAT seriously I am just worried, Please help!

2

“Can I get into Phillips Andover with High Grades, Good Extra-Cirruclars, but average SSAT Score?”

Yes, for sure, as long as your average isn’t too far from the school’s average. Average is what it means - average. There will be many kids above and below. Recently I saw definitive research from a top 20 boarding school with median SSAT of 85%. Fully 25% of the class had SSAT scores of 69% or lower. In fact, the two lowest scoring students had SSATs of 24% and 32%.

Andover is obviously a school with a higher SSAT average - I think around 92 or 93%? Still, 82% will not by itself disqualify an applicant, of that I am sure.

For your upcoming SSAT be sure to prepare for the math portion. If you are getting a recommendation saying that you are very strong in math, you want to be sure that your quantitative score confirms your ability or the admissions office might question your curriculum or the experience of your recommender. I would target at least mid 90s on math, preferably higher. Best of luck!

3

I fully agree with @SatchelSF in regards to a lower than average SSAT score will not disqualify you. You look like a fairly well rounded candidate. Would your swim times make you a recruited athlete? Best of luck on your upcoming testing and good luck with admissions.

4

I wouldn’t worry. You have good grades, and at an informational meeting, the Andover admissions officer emphasized how they not only look at you as a student, but also as a person, and how you can make a difference in the world. (By the looks of it, you are on track to do just that!) Extra-Curriculars are also nearly necessary for acceptance, which you most definitely have locked down.

Your teachers depict you as having much potential, just make sure that at your interview you show your personality as well; STAY POSITIVE, as their motto is “smart with heart”.
You seem like a dedicated, great student with much potential. Best of luck!
P.S.- I am also applying as a 10th grader for next year; maybe we can meet someday :slight_smile:

5

You’ll be alright, you look like an impressive candidate and I agree completely with what the above replies say about the ssat. Nail your interviews and essays and hope for the best! Good luck!