<p>I see many posters on "chances" threads assuring others "you have a great chance" or "it's a long shot" based solely on stated SSAT scores. Many of these posters are themselves applicants, that is, 13 to 15 year olds. Please realize that while you mean to be encouraging, your advice can be misleading, if readers put too much faith in them.</p>
<p>Consider the odds. The SSAT website states that the board administers SSAT tests "to more than 60,000 students in 600 locations around the world." Thus, 600 students score in the 99th percentile. Even if we assume that most students take it twice, which is probably an exaggeration, 300 students score in the 99th percentile. 3,000 students would score in the 90+ percentiles. </p>
<p>The top tier schools could fill their ranks with these students, but they don't. However, please don't interpret this to mean that the scores don't matter. Average scores at the elite schools wouldn't hover in the 90s if scores weren't a factor. Many schools accept international applicants, for whom English is a second language. The total score of a student from Korea or France may be misleadingly low, due to the reading and verbal It does not mean that a native English speaker could expect admission with similar scores.</p>
<p>Conversely, an SSAT score markedly lower than the mean is a barrier to admission, especially for an "unhooked" applicant.</p>
<p>Periwinkle - Thanks for your posting. I think there will be some very dissappointed people in March who are not being realistic. I know that one of the tier 1 schools told me that they look for at least an 85% SSAT ave. If you are close they will check out other info to see if they think you are capable of doing the work.</p>
<p>To quote Baseballmom on the "So I got my SSAT scores..." thread (post 69):</p>
<p>"hooks:
underrepresented minority (does not include Asians)
star athlete or any EC for which you've received notoriety or a prestigious "known" award (ie., all-state champion quarterback)
legacy
sibling legacy
your family donated a large sum of money (meaning millions)
you are the lead violinist and the school just lost it's lead violinist and you fit the bill (there are many variations of this and you probably won't know that they need you!</p>
<p>kind of a hook: geography. You are from an underrepresented state or country. The schools like to say they have a kid from every state and they list the number of countries sending students.</p>
<p>not hooks:
straight As
perfect SSAT scores
beauty
tons of ECs
polite/nice
everyone likes you
great recommendations</p>
<p>I might have left out a hook, but that's all I can think of."</p>
<p>@ this point my daughter and I just want a decent school with great academic....</p>
<p>All TSAO Schools
Choate Rosemary Hall
Deerfield Academy
The Hill School
The Hotchkiss School
The Lawrenceville School
The Loomis Chaffee School
Phillips Andover Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
St. Paul's School
The Taft School</p>
<p>drmaQueen, in terms of SSAT scores, and selectivity, the most elite schools probably appear near the top of these two lists on boarding school review: "Boarding Schools with Highest Average SSAT Scores," and "Boarding Schools with the Lowest Acceptance Rates." </p>
<p>I should emphasize that only the smallest fraction of the boarding schools in the US have median, or average, SSAT scores in the 90s for their student body. The trouble for me as a bystander, is to see so many kids obsessing about a handful of schools, and not expanding their search to include other, great opportunities.</p>
<p>In your case, I think your daughter's scores are really good, and I think that the advice Icy9ff8 and sbergman gave you is probably more accurate than my guesses.</p>
<p>Going through the prep application process the second time now.
What I have learned from the interview process at many of the elite boarding and day schools in New England is that their reliance on SSAT scores widely varies. Grades, strength of schedule, essays, reccomendations, and "hooks" are looked at well before SSAT scores.</p>
<p>Admissions at a top New England boarding school in the Greater Boston area
said "I put the SSAT score report at the bottom of the pile when I read an application". Another quote from another top school: "If your son scores in single digits then there may be a problem"</p>
<p>So, do you best--do not obsess over an 84% versus 90%. If 4% will make or break your application, then it was not likely that strong to begin with.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. I got good grades on the SSATS (97% total) but I know not to expect definite admittance. I do not have a hook. I have great grades/recs/interviews/essays/applications/ECs. I play violin and golf, but am not outstanding. I will expect the worst and hope for the best. This always works out good for me, because then I will not be disappointed if the worst happens.</p>
<p>I know I have a chance and I am not fishing for compliments. I am just pointing out that anything can happen and we will never know until March 10th.</p>
<p>I always hope the very best until i no longer have nocntrol over the situation. in auditions i tell myself i'll make the play-dance team so i can do my best, whne applying i tell myself i'll get in so i can write my best possible esays and have great interviews. but after that i'll just tell myself there's no way i'm getting ins o i won't be dissapointed.</p>
<p>AESD, etc. are reaches for EVERYONE! The vast majority of applicants to these schools are bright, talented, well-rounded, interviewed well, have excellect grades,stellar recommendations and applications. At a school like Deerfield, there may only be about 60 spots for freshman girls and 60 spots for freshman boys. Easy math! You're probably NOT going to be admitted due to the limited number of seats.</p>
<p>If you only apply to the elite preps you may be not be admitted anywhere come March 10. It's tough to recover from that much rejection at age 13-16. I've witnessed it first-hand and it's not pretty.</p>
<p>Make sure you receive at least one fat envelope!</p>
<p>This is good advice. Last year there were a number of people who appeared very qualified who were not able to gain admission to the very competitive schools to which they applied. These people leave the board, so you don't hear from them. You tend to hear from those people who made it in, some of whom will encourage you strongly because that has been their experience. Just keep that in mind.</p>
<p>Boarding school is a home away from home. There are many similarities in the boarding life at different schools, but there are also some huge differences. It would be worthwhile to try to understand these differences. </p>
<p>A balanced list of schools should lead to happy results on March 10th. If you are happy with your choices at home and just want to try for the most competitive, then that is one approach. If you have your heart set on the boarding life, then search beyond the usual suspects. There are many gems out there. Good luck!</p>
<p>Perhaps some of the more experienced parents could suggest alternatives that are more reasonable. For instance, I was told that SPS and St. Georges have a similiar feel to them. Are there schools that someone might suggest have a similiar feel to Andover or Exeter but are more realistic?? </p>
<p>Did that make any sense??</p>
<p>I know that when we started our BS search, we had the most selective schools on our list. As we learned more, we added additional schools. 3 of my son's top 5 choices were not on the original list and he would have missed out if he didn't expand the search.
An ave SSAT score of 70% represents around a 90% national average. These kids are still bright, enthusiatic etc. You don't have to go to Andover (or one of the few schools that are worshipped by some) to get a great education.</p>
<p>I think when they say "you have a shot" based off of the SSAT scores, they are referring to the fact that their score is on par with the school average. They're not saying "Holy God, your a shoe in!". When you have a 98% SSAT your acceptable. You wont be accepted if you don't compliment the scores with E.C.s and grades but from what we can tell by the scores it looks like your not wasting your time.</p>
<p>Nope. That's the bread and butter. Hooks are elements of your application (either on the face of the application, such as URM status, or external to it, such as dad's special relationship with the development office) that take you out of the standard decision matrix.</p>
<p>Those things you mention are all part of the standard decision matrix. They certainly put you in good shape within that matrix, but you're still playing ball with the teeming millions of others trying to lodge their way in through the same portal you're using.</p>
<p>There are 7 students or so who apply for every slot available. Most have stellar SSAT's, 4.0 GPA, great recs, community service, et al. A hook is what differentiates one amazing candidate from another.
There may be an unknown hook - years ago a girl from my town applied to one of the top schools. She was first violinist is the state orchestra. The school she was accepted at was looking for a future first violinist as their's was soon too graduate.
The schools are trying to built a community. How they see you contributing to that commuinty is what the admission process is all about.</p>
<p>scigirl14 -- straight A's, amazing ECs and great recs are not hooks at the top boarding schools. In fact, just about every kid applying there will have all three (or close to that).</p>
<p>What comes as a shock to many kids applying to boarding schools is that their competition for admission are top kids from other schools rather than the same type of students that you have been competing with at your school. </p>
<p>Let me give you an example -- last year a student that went by the name of ChaosTheory applied to Exeter, Hotchkiss (and a few other top schools, I believe). I think most of us thought he would certainly get in and said so. He was not accepted at any boarding school he applied to and now attends the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (which is a great school). Hopefully he doesn't mind me using him as an example.</p>
<p>Take a look at his stats (copied from an old post) -- you will see why we are saying that it is very competitive and to have some good solid safeties:</p>
<p>Courses (Grade 9)
Algebra II Honors
World History Honors
English I Honors
Biology Honors
Earth Science Honors
Pre-Calculus Honors * EPGY (Next month)
AP AB & BC Calculus Self Studying
Multivariable Calculus* - EPGY
AP Physics B Self Studying
French Self Study
Computer Applications I
Computer Applications II
PE</p>
<p>Spend most of my time doing math and science ^_^
Violin: 4 Years - Will audition for the All-State Orchestra in March.
I write excellent formal essays </p>
<p>My Passions:</p>
<br>
<p>Mathematics since I've been a child. However, I may say I've been a bit restricted in my exploration of it. I am trying to change that now.
Science - I am especially interested in the more discrete sciences, such as Astronomy
and Astrophysics. In general, I am fascinated by Astronomy, Physics, and Chemistry; hopefully, given the chance, I seek to learn more about these subjects.
Creative Writing - I discovered a latent talent in 3rd grade that I had for poetry. Since then, I admire it and cherish it. In general any form of writing that I can incorporate creativity will be of interest to me.
Violin - I love everything about the violin. I am yet to receive proper instruction; nevertheless I will try to enhance this skill.
Programming - I am into the whole "Hacker" thing. My dad is a very knowledgeable computer programmer, thus in this aspect I will try to follow in his footsteps. I will be pursuing CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Administrator) and I will try to expand my knowledge of languages. I am also working on remotely accessing my school's T1 LAN (100 mpbs !!) servers
Art - Similar to the violin and writing, I find this another way to express myself. I have had a few works published; however I still have much to learn.</p>