heyo! I’m an 8th grader applying to boarding schools and would love to be chanced!
I’ve decided to apply to Andover and Choate!
I’m and immigrant from Uganda, use he/they pronouns and I live in SC! I attend a public Montessori middle school!
Grades - all A+ throughout middle school! (1 A- in 6th grade science)
I scored an 1150 on the PSAT-NMSQT which I believe is in the 87th percentile. I got recognized as a State Junior Scholar because of my score.
Extracurriculars -
I wrote and produced my debut album, and am releasing it this spring! It’s preceded by three singles, the first being released Jan. 7th!
I’ve done community theatre for 5 years, and school theatre for 8. This past summer, I studied drama at the South Carolina Governors School of the Arts and Humanities Summer Program!
I’ve done church choir for 2 years, and am a Senior Member of the choir. I also studied voice at SCGSAH!
I co-founded my school’s monthly newspaper this year!
I also collected LGBTQ books for my ELA teachers class library to promote diversity!
My essays focus on my passion for music and journalism. Writing is something I love, and I’m taking time to showcase my personality in my essays.
I have a close relationship with all my recommendations!
I feel like my application is on the weaker side just because it’s so arts oriented… thoughts?
Did you take the SSAT as well? Just know if you are submitting PSAT scores to the most competitive schools that you will be competing with 1300-1400 scores.
I wouldn’t say detrimental, but remember that an 87th percentile on a PSAT does not equal the same percentile on the SSAT. The SSAT is only taken by kids trying to get into competitive private schools, you you are being compared to a higher achieving group. I know a kid who got a perfect score on the math PSAT, but less than 90% on the math SSAT. Maybe someone else can chime in on where they think an 1150 PSAT would fall in terms of other candidates…?
I got a 98th percentile on the PSAT and a 88th on the SSAT. I got a 96th percentile on the PSAT and a 79th on the SSAT. I think those scores could work against you.
I think you would be a pretty good candidate for Choate, to be honest. Choate greatly values the arts. One of the signature programs is ArtsCon (Arts Concentration), where students can delve into and get more hands-on with art. I think it’s really cool that you’re already making an album and that you have been so dedicated to theater. Both music and theater are “subgroups” that you can “major” or “concentrate” in if you get into ArtsCon. Don’t worry about being too “arts-focused”, because Choate really likes diversity and variety. Choate is also quite progressive, and your sexual and gender awareness efforts would contribute to said diversity and progression.
With the scores, I would say leave it out because your school grades do enough of the academic talking. Focus on your essays and really express interest and knowledge in your interviews (do plenty of research about the things that you feel Choate can provide for you). Stay true to your experiences and perspectives.
I wish you luck and I hope I see you at Choate next year!
1150 PSAT NMSQT is 87th percentile for 10th graders taking the test not for 8th graders! It is 74th for 11th graders. I can’t even find the percentile for 8th graders, probably because most 8th graders take the PSAT 8/9. An 1150 on the PSAT 8/9 would be 99th percentile. Your score is great no matter which PSAT you took as an 8th grader.
I am sorry I missed out that 8th grade part. Yes that score is fine if you are in 8th grade. However, I still think if possible you should take the SSAT because the scores could still be very different, and that is also the test most school prefer when applying to 9th grade.
Yes, it is easier for them to compare apples to apples. Not wonder what an 1150 PSAT NMSQT (not sure why OP didn’t take the PSAT 10 or PSAT 8/9 instead?) taken with all kids going to public and private vs an SSAT which only compares same test/same applicant group to competitive private schools.
I would say OP should talk to a guidance counselor, regardless, before making important decisions, rather than relying on a message board.
I actually decided to apply recently so until about late November, I wasn’t aware the SSAT existed. At that point, I’d already taken the PSAT NMSQT at my school. The other day, I contacted admissions offices who said they would accept my scores.
I understand, but consider applying to a couple less competitive schools, as well. You want to have somewhere to go next year, even if it’s not Andover or Choate, and there’s lots of amazing programs. Not saying you can’t get into those schools, but there are far more kids who are qualified than there are spots.
If they say they will accept the PSAT then don’t worry about the test, submit what you already have. My kiddo is applying to Deerfield with a 96th percentile PSAT 8/9. Deerfield accepts the PSAT for 9th (it is on their website). But if you really want to go to boarding school I agree with adding a few schools. At this late date the easiest would be adding ones that use Gateway since Choate and Andover use it. Good luck!
