<p>Hello all,
I hope everyone had a happy and warm Thanksgiving.
I am beginning to stress over my SSAT scores. My reading was a bit shocking, but I know that I can do better on my next test. I feel fine on Vocab as well... But math. Oh Lord, math.</p>
<p>I wish I could say that my SSAT score doesn't reflect my math level. I wish I could say that in the past years math has been my easiest subject. Oh, I wish, I wish, I wish. However, it's not the case. In 8th grade, I had a D- in math, I brought that up to a C last year and now I have a B (ish) in geometry. Clearly, it's an improvement, but still. Meh.</p>
<p>My SSAT scores reflect my struggle in math, and although I have A's and high B's in everything else, I'm really worried about how that would look to schools. Sure, I may have a long list of extracurriculars and high grades in all other classes, but I'm still fretting over how this kind of major part of my application will change everything. For crying out loud, I'm even good at chemistry which is pretty much math-based.</p>
<p>I guess to be blunt, I'm saying that I'm worried I'm going to be screwed because I'm not good at math. No matter how hard I work, no matter how many hours a week I get tutored, and no matter how much my teacher loves and commends my improvement, I'm still worried that I won't be getting a "Congratulations!" email because of it.</p>
<p>How can I explain this to AO's that "Hey, I may not be the next Euclid, but I'm pretty darn good at everything else"?</p>
<p>Your math grades have been on an upward trajectory, and that is very good. Your best bet is to cast a wide net and not have your heart set on any of those ultra-selective brand name schools. Follow the wise advice of posters like SevenDad. You will be fine! Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>@cameo43 Thank you a billion times!
It’s just fairly stressful when you see the 99%ile kids with straight A’s vying for the same spot as you. I’m definitely improving a lot overall in all my classes, but I’m never going to be someone who enjoys math. I guess I just have to show schools that I have a lot more to offer than a mathematical mind :D</p>
<p>Prep schools have a range of math classes for all ability levels. And they need to fill all their classes. IMHO, they’re not looking to fill their class with all math superstars. And you definitely don’t want to be placed into a math class above your ability and interest level. Don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>And remember that those in the 99th %ile are more willing to share their scores on an open forum than those in the 50th %ile. But rest assured, your competition includes the full range (else why would they be taking the SSAT?!).</p>
<p>Listen to cameo! I have several degrees and never found math easy. I think I missed some instruction in the early years or it just went too fast. I had to be tutored one summer for college algebra. My friend was a math teacher and he needed help in his parent’s garden while they were on vacation. What a miserably hot couple of weeks! I got a B+ in the class though and was thrilled. </p>
<p>I have a child like you as well. Brilliant in several areas - indeed completed 4th year university level work in one subject. Hated math, didn’t “get” it, and fumbled through it. This one has done well but will never work in a math-related area, and wouldn’t enjoy it anyway. That’s fine! The other ones got the “math gene” from their father. </p>
<p>Perhaps you could explain your lack of interest in math on one of your application essays or perhaps in the additional information section of your application. Some essays ask what your biggest areas of challenge are. You have other gifts/talents. Expand on those as well. You also could mention that you find math challenging in your interview. If you explain to them the charming way you did here, they may find it endearing as I did. Everyone has an area that they are not strong in. </p>
<p>There are a few boarding schools that view the Math SSAT score as important as the reading comprehension; Exeter comes to mind. But I think for many excellent boarding schools, the reading comprehension is the more important indicator. That being said, a Math SSAT under 60% is likely to mean a fair amount of struggle for C’s at most top 20 schools. Believe me, it won’t be any fun for you to work 24x7 for your math grade and still always be in the lowest section. Give the Tier 2 schools a hard look because you’ll get a fantastic education and the math will be do-able. </p>
<p>@HistoryGeek, u don’t mention which prep schools u are pursuing. With your math struggles, it would be prudent to cast a wider net and include schools that do not have a hyper focus on elite math skills. Exeter is probably not in the cards for u.</p>
<p>U really need to think beyond just getting admitted into a prep school and consider how you might perform in the prep school relative to the other students. Being in the top half vs the bottom half of your prep school class may matter a lot to your happiness at the school and may also impact your competitiveness for college admissions. </p>
<p>@GMTplus7 @stargirl3 @ThacherParent @TranquilMind @momonymous Oh my Goodness, I came back from a famuly dinner flooded with messages of support and ideas. Thank you a billion times.</p>
<p>My top schools right now are Tabor, Loomis, Kent (maybe) and Westminster. I was originally looking at Taft and Choate as tops as well, but I don’t think I could get in, simply based on math. </p>
<p>I think that with enough hard work, I can get into a school and do well!</p>
<p>Especially highlight GMT’s ideas about how I wouldn’t be happy in an environment where I’m the bottom percent of the class: I couldn’t agree more. I know that when I toured schools, I looked at places where I could see myself as a contributor in the classroom, not one frantically scribbling down notes and trying to keep up with the rest.</p>
<p>Read the course catalogs and graduation requirements to get an idea of the standard math track in a given school. For instance, Mercersburg Academy (my son’s school) only requires math through Algebra 2, although interested students can, of course, go far beyond that level. Also, I think there are three levels of instruction for all courses through pre-calculus. I’m sure I’ve seen similar things in other schools’ course lists. </p>
<p>@twinsmama Most schools are like that too (I know for a fact Choate is) I will probably continue to take math through senior year, just because I wouldn’t like to let it slip before I go off to college someday, but it’s a relief to know that if need be, that’s as far as it goes :D</p>