In Choate’s application, there is an optional self assessment. Should do it? Any idea? suggestion? Thanks
I think you are referring to the Character Assessment part of the SSAT, which Choate helped to develop and attempts to measure the character traits that they believe impact success in rigorous boarding schools.
I believe that Choate asks you to take it for them, and that it doesn’t go to other schools that get your SSAT.
You can Google more about it on the SSATB site.
It’s really up to you. You won’t get the results, and have no way of knowing how you will fare vs. others. On the other hand, I would imagine they would prefer that candidates take it.
@6teenSearch Choate has a character assessment test as part of their application process through their web portal, GoChoate!. See http://www.choate.edu/page.cfm?p=531. The SSATB has a character skill assessment in a beta testing, which applicants can take through the SSAT website. While the two tests are similar, they aren’t the same test. Both the questions as well as the available answers/score ranges to choose from are different.
@dayndboard My DD took the Choate test. I can’t think of a good reason why not.
My daughter took the self assessment too. The questions seemed thoughtful and would let them know more about the student. I don’t see any reason to not take the opportunity to let them learn more about you.
I thought the schools were not getting the results or any identifiable way to match results to a particular student? I thought the SSAT is using it to test it out to see how it works and to tweak questions. My understanding is that it will hopefully be part of the SSAT beginning with next year’s admission cycle. Am I mistaken?
31cruzan You are correct. The SSATB states that CSA data will not even be analyzed until after the admission cycle is over. The other test, however (the Choate character self-assessment submitted through their online admission portal) is linked to the student’s profile, and data therefore is identifiable and possibly used in the admission process. There is a video and a pdf document on GoChoate! that you could see if you’re interested.
“submitted through their online admission portal” should read “submitted through Choate’s own web portal”
Thanks @GoatMama . That makes sense.
Thank you all for your help
My DC had not gotten to that part of the app yet. It is just a series of questions that you answer on a numerical scale. Since I have never seen the SSAT CSA, I can’t compare the two. But even if they are similar, it is pretty clear that Choate simply added some optional questions to their own app. and that they are for Choate’s use only.
The self assessment part on the Choate application will eventually become part of the application. I think I read that next year’s cycle will make it mandatory. It is being tested to determine if it will become a part of the SSAT. The Head of Admissions is transitioning to a new position as head of the newly formed Admission Council (not sure of name) for the Ten Schools. Diffley mentioned that one of his goals is to expand the use of the self assessment portion.