<p>Is there any advantage to scheduling interviews for early December after the SSAT scores are in? Do AOs refer to them in interview process with kids or parents? Or is it better to interview early fall? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>My child interviewed at 12 schools (2 cycles - lucky us!). We were never asked about SSATs during our interviews. Sometimes they’d mention them just to kind of make sure you were aware you needed to take them, but no one asked for scores. The topic only came up when we broached the subject, which we did with one AO we felt a good instant rapport with (we asked him about superscoring). I don’t think I’d even bring up SSAT scores during an interview, that’s your kids time to show them what makes them more than a number or a GPA. Use the time to show them you are articulate, easy to get along with, have a special talent, hook or passion. Ask them questions that show you love their school. If you have specific SSAT questions, I’d email the AO at a later date. </p>
<p>Our theory on scheduling interviews was to do them late enough that you had something to talk about from the semester (like a class or a book you were really enjoying). I’d work it around your school schedule (especially if coming from a public school) and sports schedule. Keep in mind that a good chunk of November and December will be “unavailable” because the kids are on break. We did mostly mid-October to mid-November, but we did have a straggler or two in early December. </p>
<p>The first go-round we scheduled “top choices” after he’d had one or two go-rounds. That wasn’t necessary this time, because we’d done it all before… </p>
<p>My recco on this is to get the tests done and scores in hand BEFORE the interviews. </p>
<p>Not that the AOs will even mention it, but IMO, the scores can help you determine the range of “apply to” schools. If your kid is a 20%-ile scorer, then I’d say Exeter and Andover are VERY long shots and arguably not even good fits for the child from a rigor standpoint.</p>
<p>That said, 7D1 interviewed at SPS in summer before any SSATs had even been administered and kid/parents had great rapport with AO…I did ask what range they like to see and was told something like “Anything in the mid 80s and up and the scores won’t be the reason why kid was not admitted.” Scores came in, were above the average for SPS, and she was admitted.</p>
<p>Thanks. Very helpful. Twin Ds want to go to separate BS to blaze their own trail even though they’re very close. Do you think AOs will see them as a package deal? Not sure how it will all play out.</p>
<p>That’s a great point. My perspective was that I think it’s ok to apply while SSATs are still a work in progress. My child took twice this go round. Before and after interviews. Same last year. It would be a shame for a kid to wait to interview at a school trying to hit 85 percentile or higher. That being said an initial test result should be used to pick a good group of safety, reach and match schools. I just hate to see people get wrapped up in SSAT scores. It’s only one part of the puzzle, IMHO.</p>
<p>If the twins want to go to separate schools, make that very clear to the AOs. If you’re applying for FA, that’s ESPECIALLY important-- so they don’t think they have to factor in double FA to one family. </p>
<p>After Thanksgiving, it is very difficult to get on the calendar. Then compound this w trying to schedule interviews at multiple schools w a logistical routing that makes sense.</p>
<p>In early November I scheduled 3 interviews: one Mid-November, the others the first two weeks of December. I tried to get Fridays or Thursday half days (at my current school). Then again, I didn’t even * look* at a plane on my visits…</p>
<p>If your daughters want to go to different schools, I suggest they apply to a different range of schools. Don’t let your daughters be seen as a “package” and don’t make AOs choose one. Good luck.</p>
<p>It’s a good idea to have a reasonable estimate of how the kiddos will do on the SSAT via an official practise test taken under timed conditions before scheduling interviews. This is only so that you dont spend a lot of energy investing in schools that arent really viable. Don’t go by state tests or anything like that to get an idea. The SSAT is unlike grade level tests. </p>
<p>The SSAT sells a test prep book: <a href=“http://www.ssat.org/test-prep/official-guide[/url]”>http://www.ssat.org/test-prep/official-guide</a>. It’s $35. It contains two “real” SSAT exams, which you can administer at home, and a scoring guide for those tests. </p>
<p>Or you could sign your child up for one of the last SSAT tests given this year. (Which costs more.) You won’t be able to use scores from this year to apply to schools next year, but it will give you an idea of the range your child’s likely to score in on the SSAT. It will also help you define any holes in her preparation. </p>
<p>I agree with Neatoburrito that it’s good to know the range. </p>
<p>Private school students take the ERB (although they’ve changed the name. CTP, maybe?) Does anyone have any idea if the ERB scores align with SSAT scores? I would assume it would align with the ISEE, as the same company produces both tests.</p>