<p>I am applying to Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Deerfield, and Choate.</p>
<p>I took my SSAT's and got a 2316 (99th percentile). However, on my verbal I score in the 92th percentile. Will this affect my chances much?</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>Chinese- (outside of regular school) 9 years, have official proficiency test scores, essay competition 2nd place</p>
<p>Math- spend a lot of time on (5 or so hours a week), school competition team 3 years, AMC 8 Distinguished Honor Roll- 23/25</p>
<p>I also have these more team-ish EC's- I don't know if they count for much though.</p>
<p>Robotics- 2 years, Best Overall Robot Design, FLL Colorado Championship qualifier</p>
<p>Optimist Brain Bowl- 3 years, 2nd in Colorado-Wyoming Championship tournament</p>
<p>These were the EC's I listed on my applications so far, I participate in other things but haven't received anything notable or spend a considerable amount of time. </p>
<p>I read how important the 'hook' is, and am kinda really nervous, since I don't have anything outstanding. What do you think? Thanks!</p>
<p>Great scores. You should have a good chance of getting into one of the those top schools if you present yourself well. However, there are too many variables the process, so it is hard to declare anything for certain.</p>
<p>Great Scores! Congratulations, your SSAT scores are great! I only pulled off a 96th percentile. I’m debating whether or not to retake. Your only problem could be that you have no athletic EC’s. I know that these top schools look for well rounded applicants. But, your academics may be so good it doesn’t matter. I wish the best of luck to you either way.</p>
<p>^ “only” a 96th percentile ;)</p>
<p>weiqian, your SSAT scores are excellent, as are your EC’s.
Best of luck applying, I would assume that you would get into any of those schools based off of your scores.</p>
<p>Yes Crusty:)… I was rather dissappointed with my 96th percentile. 
To answer your question, weiqian, the 92% in verbal shouldn’t matter. Although are you sure you had 99th if you had a 92nd in one category? Even with 99th in the other 2 I think you should still have lower than a 99. I could be wrong, though. Good job on the SSAT’s; anything above a 90th percentile is great.</p>
<p>Wait… what grade are you applying for? That can make a HUGE difference…and what “hook” are you refering to?</p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>I’m in 8th grade applying for 9th. </p>
<p>Atheltics: I do play tennis several times a week, but have nothing notable (AT ALL) to answer the questions on the application. </p>
<p>SSAT: Yes, I am sure. I was surprised too- but very pleased. :-)</p>
<p>Hook: Some sort of extra strong thing, I think- I found the term looking through other forums. Honestly, I’m not too sure myself.</p>
<p>Oh- and please don’t say anything just to be nice, if I’m not cut out for it, I’d really like to know. I’m applying no matter what, of course.</p>
<p>weiqian, you seriously do have everything it takes to make it into all of those schools. At this point it just comes down to chance because of how low the acceptance rates at each of those schools are.
Also, a hook is more like being a legacy, knowing someone on the admissions team or school board, being recruited to play a sport, etc.</p>
<p>The only concern I have is your lack of self confidence, which may be red a flag. If you indeed have the ssat scores you say you have (99%), and all the other things, and still feel the need to get assurances from other people on a discussion board, than that’s not a good sign. These schools are looking for driven and confident people. If you don’t already know that your stats (as you describe them) at the very least give you a good chance without having to ask, than that too is also of concern. My advise is be confident with your stats if they are what you say they are, and leave the discussion borad to people who are more borderline, who have a real reasons for concern and need to discuss.</p>