<p>yeah thanks, I've gotten that comment more than once.
I guess I'm not completely in tune to what the SSAT is and how rigorous it is.
I took the practice test on the SSAT site and got 92% spending about a second on each question. Is it really as easy as it looks like on the site? I mean, the math section was the kind of stuff I learned in like fifth grade or less!
Sorry if I came across as cocky</p>
<p>you got a 92% like as in a grade? thats not how it works..it's percentile. as in how good you do in comparison to other test takers.</p>
<p>I understand that, but what I'm saying is that it was pretty easy.</p>
<p>Yeah it's definitely an easy test and I'm sure you will do very well on it. Just don't slack on it, hubris is not a good thing. You might get a sub-par score and that could be the thing that breaks your application! I doubt it though with your CTY awards and all...you're obviously a skilled test taker.</p>
<p>yeah thanks. What would you recommend for studying? What did you get on the test and where did you go?</p>
<p>99's across the board and I'm currently at Andover.</p>
<p>Just get a prep book with practice tests in it and perfect your timing and perhaps brush on several areas you might have little issues on. There's not too much you need to do to get a good score.</p>
<p>ok, thanks. Is the Princeton Review prep book a good choice?</p>
<p>Yes that should be fine. As long as it has practice tests.</p>
<p>alrighty then</p>
<p>i wish ppl wouldnt tell other ppl whether they're in or not. you never can tell. i know some kids from last year where ppl assured them that they had great chances, but they ended up rejected. we are forgetting that there are twenty different factors involved - legacy, location, race, interview, essays, recs, etc, all which count very much. i dont want anyone getting high hopes, only to come crashing down.</p>
<p>that's a valid point, however it is nice to have an idea whether you're in the ballpark or not.</p>
<p>Yeah... . .</p>
<p>I think I'm just going to apply to a few boarding schools (Andover, Deerfield, SPS), and have a phone interview or meet with someone in my area for an interview. I don't think my mom is willing to fly out there with me. If I don't get it, I'll move to my dad's house and go to a private day school there. I'm looking for a school that has a 30 - 35%+ acceptance rate. Looking at some of the applications just from this site makes me feel like I have no chance, which is probably true, so I'm looking for a school that a bit better than Ashbury College (private IB school in Ottawa, CA), and a little below Andover, SPS, and Deerfield.</p>
<p>Jonathan don't say that you don't have a shot. You are looking at only a small number of applicants on this site. Not everybody has as impressive applications as kids from this site (that includes you). Still it is a good idea to have a couple of safety schools. Taft has an acceptance rate of 30%, Loomis Chaffee is 36%, Blair is 59%, Hill is 49%. There are plenty of good schools with higher acceptance rates. These percentages are from boardingschoolreview.com so they are probably a little outdated.</p>
<p>Thank you, sugerkim.</p>
<p>Yeah, don't be discouraged, Jonathan. The fact that people actually take the time to come to this site and ask about their chances shows that they care about their education, and so I think the pool is weaker than we may think. Outstanding candidates like Tom are not the majority... you're also competing against many students worse than you. And just because you don't have amazing, outstanding stats, its not like you don't have a good chance. I think the most important part of the application is showing that you love to learn, you take responsibility to learn, and you're going to try your best to succeed and get as much out of your education as possible, wherever you go. I definitely think you can do that.</p>
<p>it is very hard to say what is goiing to happen in the admissions process. the best attitude is to have a few schools that you would be happy at.</p>
<p>also I have seen firsthand many kids get waitlisted and then get in off the waitlist. each applicant can only matriculate at one school after all.</p>
<p>"FREE" SSAT Practice Test - </p>
<p>I've found that the people on CC (including myself) are the ones that are a bit more... um, let's say... "fervent" about their applications to boarding school. If you think about it, the students that don't care that much about applying/getting into boarding schools won't be doing all of this research, taking the time to post on CC, etc. I'd say that the more devoted applicants are the ones that are posting here -- just take a look at the "chances" thread for the college admissions forums. They're filled with what seem like amazing students. Don't get your hopes down from the posts here. If you are genuinely passionate about attending a boarding school, then the admissions officers will undoubtedly take note of that.</p>
<p>Boarding school is not a place for students who are math whiz-kids or concert pianists to congregate. It's a place for students who show potential to cultivate their minds. I think that if you make it clear that you would really thrive at a place like Andover, Deerfield, or wherever else you may be applying, then you will easily be accepted over a student with perfect stats but no motivation--even if they may appear more talented on paper. Just keep that in mind.</p>
<p>I reviewed the St. Andrew's view book last night, for maybe the 5th time, and I find myself thinking that this school is a winner........Anyone considering st. andrew's school in Delaware? I love the smaller schools, but SAS may be a wee bit too small.</p>