<p>What do boarding schools (particularly choate) base their admission on, as in, do they care more about the ssat than grades, if so be specific.
please and thank you.</p>
<p>That is the $47,260 question, now isn’t it?</p>
<p>Here’s what the Choate site says on this very question:
The admissions staff is looking to find individuals with strong character, intellectual curiosity, motivation, extracurricular talent, and a diversity of backgrounds, interests, and life experiences.</p>
<p>The real answer is “No one but an Admissions Officer can tell you the answer.” and even then, the answer might depend on which person you asked.</p>
<p>This thread would be worth reading, if you haven’t already:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1077227-prep-school-admission-process.html?highlight=black+box[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1077227-prep-school-admission-process.html?highlight=black+box</a></p>
<p>Also, this one (where you can see what “stats” applicants had and what their results were):
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/665444-clean-official-boarding-decisions-applicant-stats-ecs.html</a></p>
<p>I was going to say “astrology”, but you should listen to @SevenDad. ;)</p>
<p>@ChoatieMom…very funny, and a little true, but you are correct listen to @SevenDad.</p>
<p>I would go on to say that admissions to any school is based on more than just grades and SSAT scores. I have lurked on this site for about 3 years now and every year there are students who have straight A’s and high ssat scores who do not get in to the schools they wanted, yet at the same time there are other students who on paper look weaker, and they do get in.</p>
<p>The interviewers are very good at their job and know what they are looking for. Don’t over look the importance of your essays and interview, as well as the other parts of your application. Good Luck</p>
<p>@chessprodigy, I just attended a Choate admission reception and coming out of it, didn’t have the feeling that they were only about grades and SSATS. Instead it seemed like if you were in general an achiever, and had something to bring to the table, they want the most motivated and interested and interesting kids they can find…from all over the world. And it was also the most heavily attended event like this I went to all season–100+ people and standing room only!!</p>
<p>As a current Choate student, I can tell you that there are a wealth of different students here with strengths in different areas. What the kids here all have in common, like chukkerhead said, is that they all bring something to the table. There are students with different backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities, and what results is a very happily diverse community. There are kids with strengths in the performing arts, in science, in math, in literature and philosophy, sports, history, architecture, you get the point. The students I’ve made here are some of the most interesting people I have and probably ever will meet.</p>
<p>In terms of what you need for admission, well, that’s a much harder question. The advice that I always tell people is to just be themselves. You’re the only you there is. Choate wants to see students who will grow and excel in the boarding school environment, and students who are unique and will offer something to the community. Of course it would be beneficial to have good stats all around, but there is nothing that guarantees acceptance. I know a lot of kids who got in with below the Choate average SSAT scores and lots of kids who got in with above average scores. That’s why there’s an average SSAT score, not a cutoff!</p>