So I failed the SSAT in December due to careless answer shifting (63 Reading, 81 Verbal, 99 Math : 89 Overall) so took the January ISEE for replacement, and got decent scores due to lack of sleep and careless mistakes (94 Verbal, 95 Reading, 98 Quantitative Reasoning, 99 Mathematics Achievement). However, the catch is that I kind of failed the essay portion due to having no sleep. I am debating on whether to take the February SSAT for Andover (due to the bad essay portion on the ISEE), since it is still accepted. I have submitted the ISEE score for the others schools I am applying to (Choate, Harker, Menlo, Nueva), as the deadline for scores was January, so my debate for the February SSAT is purely for Andover.
I am in 8th grade and applying for 9th.
EC’s -
Tae Kwon Do 1st Degree Black Belt
USACO Gold Division Contestant
National Level Fencer
Concertmaster for my Local Youth Orchestra’s (ECYS) Senior Symphony - Go on performing tours across Europe every two years, also made 2017 California Junior High All State Orchestra
Science Olympiad - 2nd Place at State for 2 years in a row
Science Bowl - School Competition Team (competition in Feb. will see how this goes)
Volunteering
Volunteer in a foundation’s volunteer orchestra, do fundraisers and tutoring (academic and music) for underprivileged children.
Volunteer at my Tae Kwon Do studio.
So, input on my chances of getting in and whether I should take the SSAT to make up for the essay portion I failed on the ISEE?
My thanks greatly to all input!
BTW I’m Asian if that affects any variables
Your ISEE scores are great. An admissions officer concerned about your ISEE essay score will look at your English grades and review your English teacher’s recommendation. If you have As in English and you think your English teacher’s recommendation was strong, then I think that you can skip taking one more test. Just send your ISEE scores to Andover and keep up with all of the other amazing things you are doing!
The biggest question is one you didn’t answer: Do you need Financial Aid? The second most important question is where you live. Choate and Andover are both in places where they could fill their school with qualified candidates 10 times over just with kids from within a 20 minute drive. If you live in a spot from which those schools do not usually receive boatloads of applications, that can help. That said, 89 overall SSAT with need for FA has not been a winning formula for mundane smart kids who have applied to Choate recently from what I’ve seen. Now if you were an outstanding ice hockey player…Andover has a bit more flexibility, bigger school, bigger FA budget. And if you are full-pay, you are in a completely different applicant pool.
@GnarWhail As I said, I took the ISEE afterwards and got 94 Verbal, 95 Reading, 98 Quantitative Reasoning, 99 Mathematics Achievement. I live in California, and do not need financial aid. Thanks for your input!
Andover has fencing but I don’t think Choate does. I still think you have a shot at both. Legacy or geodiversity would help your app to Andover. By any chance are you from North Dakota? That would help your chances greatly at Andover.
@afatperson you can’t fail the SSAT or ISEE. While impressive, your resume looks like 1000s of other applicants to these schools. I think it’s a coin toss for Andover and Choate.
i agree that from what you’ve posted you appear to be a pretty mainstream candidate, and that means you have no assurance that you would get into either one. if you’re serious about attending an east-coast boarding school, i hope you applied to more than just those two.
