<p>My S is considering applying to bs. For those of you who have been through the application process, it is helpful to include transcripts from online courses taken over the years? He has taken a variety of online writing and math courses through EPGY, just for the challenge. Would you consider transcripts of this supplementary course work something adcoms would like to see, or is it just overkill? How about reporting JHU SAT scores and the like? Too much or is it a good idea?</p>
<p>TieDye, my gut feeling is that this would fall under EC's. If so, yes certainly send them in.</p>
<p>There is room on the application to describe various activities. You should be sure that he includes information on enrichment courses there. You can include SAT scores and note any special recognition he might have received such as the Celebration of Talent, Study of Exceptional Talent, etc. However, I would give this low priority. They will have the SSAT scores. I think it is more important to show what has been done with this aptitude than to emphasize the raw aptitude.</p>
<p>Thanks so much prepparent and Burb parent. </p>
<p>My sense is that schools are not only looking for kids who are intellectually curious and passionate about learning, but also kids who will contribute to the community as a whole. It seems important to find a balance by indicating the academic and non-academic attributes one has. </p>
<p>The whole application process will be enlightening I am sure. He will have to think about what kind of environment he sees himself in and what he truly values. It seems a bit daunting ... it's good to have some input from experienced parents. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Supplementary courses and SAT score are both good things to submit. It is not "overkill" at all since it shows curiosity, passion, self-disipline, and indicates that you might be well-prepared for the prep school workload. SAT scores are a good thing as well and sometimes can help cover-up a mediocre SSAT score. After all, if you did badly on the pretest but aced the real deal, who are they to say you didn't know your stuff? Schools do care about their SAT averages.</p>
<p>Yes,
definitely include transcripts or reports from other courses taken. My D. took courses through Johns Hopkins CTY ... we were told by a couple of the admissions people that its an (other) indication that the student can study at an accelerated level.</p>
<p>hi, i'm about to attend phillips exeter this fall ('10), and i think those transcripts would certainly help your son along, although it wouldn't significantly affect the admission's decision. they usually look at the quality of those classes and what he got out of those classes by examining essays/ssat scores. also, while you should say that he attended cty, SAT scores would sorta kinda be considered overkill, as the ssats are sufficient. (unless ssat and sat scores are radically different, as in his ssat scores were disappointing....then, maybe the sat scores should be sent in)</p>
<p>personally, i think the interview along with the written essays are the biggest factors of the admission process, and the ssat scores/actual school grades only make a difference if they are abnormally low. extra curriculars are also important, and can help if your son participates in many unique activities, but will hurt if he lacks, or is just "normal"</p>
<p>good luck to your son</p>
<p>As long as you don't make a huge deal about it, I don't think mentioning SAT scores is over kill at all. During my intereviews at Exeter and St. Paul's, they even asked me what my scores were; off handedly of course. If you can score higher than their median SAT of college-bound seniors (which happens sometimes among CTY/EPGY students), schools will take notice. Remember, you are admitted as an investment: if you can show that 4-years down the line you will bring them high test scores and bring up their score average, it looks nice.</p>
<p>that^ is true, but i don't think exeter/andover/sp will worry about scores, because they have like a thousand kids to choose from, and most will not only have excellent scores but also be excellent in other areas, so even if your son has lower scores than another child, as long as his extra curriculars are superior, your son will be the preferred applicant.
[i believe exeter's average sat this year was around 2200, which isn't amazingly high, so i doubt sats will impact it. like i said, ssat's should reflect your son's true, current abilities, which is what they are looking for, not sat score from several months past. but if the scores are top-notch, then go for it.]</p>
<p>I don't think anyone on this thread is saying that SAT scores and such are more important than other factors like ECs, grades, interviews, essay, etc etc. but the OP asked whether or not submitting said SAT scores and course transcripts will help. I think the conclusion we can all reach is: yes, they do.</p>