<p>beatles: We’re sensitive. We’re educators. WE cannot have all the opportunities that some of the full-pay applicants have. I’ve never been skiing…</p>
<p>Some schools are need-blind and others aren’t. I think it depends on the school! You’ll have to ask each one.</p>
<p>2010: Yes, we look at students differently depending on their backgrounds. Like I said earlier in my response to the SSAT question, it’s all about the context. We expect both financial aid and full pay students to be bright, hard-working, mature, good kids, etc. But does a full-scholarship student have access to the same opportunities that a full-pay student might? Certainly not. You have to consider the student in the context of where s/he is coming from. </p>
<p>Interviews: like essays, most are fine. Fine is fine, and fine is certainly admissable. A really good interview can make you stand out in a sea of "fine"s…a really bad interview (a rare occurrence) can make the final decision easy.</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities: Quality over quantity. No penalty if you do not have access (financial or geographic) to certain opportunities.</p>
<p>SSAT vs. ISEE - most of the top schools say they prefer the SSAT, but will accept the ISEE. Does it count against an applicant to do the ISEE? Do you adjust the ISEE score to make it more comparable to an SSAT score?</p>
<p>Also, I keep hearing that if an applicant does the SSAT more than once, schools will just pick out the best scores from each test. But do you really ignore the low scores?</p>
<p>Sorry if I’m obsessing. Standardized testing is just not my thing. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>malkiel:</p>
<p>No, it does not count against an applicant to take the ISEE. In some parts of the country/world, the ISEE is easier (read: more readily available) to take. No, Hogwarts does not try to adjust the ISEE score to make it comparable to the SSAT.</p>
<p>Yes, Hogwarts picks out the best scores from each test. Not sure about what other schools do. </p>
<p>Don’t apologize. I understand that this is an anxiety-inducing process. I’m just trying to help (and hopefully not make you all more nervous). Just take a deep breath and write a really good essay. :)</p>
<p>Gemma, obviously parents always act well behaved, and so do the students at interviews. Please tell me you spot the difference between the sincere and the insincere. The students & their families that are genuinely in love with a place for all of the right reasons (again, not HADES or tiers nonsense), as compared to those that are looking for name only.</p>
<p>Glad:</p>
<p>Ye of little faith. I consider myself very good at reading people. Again, that’s why I have a job, and that it’s not a machine doing my job. </p>
<p>And by the way - parents and students do not always act well behaved. :)</p>
<p>I have a couple questions.</p>
<p>How do AOs, when looking at a students grades, know how hard the school is. For example, my English 10 teacher didn’t give higher than a 90 to anyone the first quarter (i do go to a very good private school). I see some kids on here getting 99’s in English so how do you tell the difference.</p>
<p>Are different sections of an application (essays, SSAT, grades, EC, etc.) weighted differently when choosing students?</p>
<p>In general, how difficult is it for an incoming 11th grader to adapt, to the way the classes are run mainly (since I’m guessing the teachers expect most people to know what they’re doing by then)</p>
<p>My faith has been restored! 
I get angry with parents on the attack for so called “lower tier” schools. Very, very rude! This is quite nice of you to answer all these questions.</p>
<p>How do schools treat admissions of twins? Is each totally on their merits, or if a school want one, it may be kind(er) to the other?</p>
<p>bbc420: </p>
<p>1) We consider ourselves very familiar with which are the “very good private schools.” For some schools, we can draw on historical information, e.g. previous years’ applications from that school. </p>
<p>We do not compare your 85 at Very Good Private Academy with Joey Smith’s 99 at Sandy Beach Regional Junior High. We read each applicant in the context from which s/he comes.</p>
<p>2) No. There is no formula with different “weights.” The math would be too difficult. :)</p>
<p>3) We wouldn’t admit you if we didn’t think you could adapt successfully. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>grinzing: It depends on the school! :)</p>
<p>Now that so many different media are available . . . If a student has a portfolio to show you (artwork, for example), which is easier for you: an 8 1/2 x11" bound portfolio, a DVD, or a link to an online portfolio?</p>
<p>dodgers: Would have to get back to you on that one, after checking w/ my art department colleagues, who actually look at the portfolios. One thing though: we don’t want to have to send anything back.</p>
<p>Here is an easy one (I think!). What do you do with student/family email communications with the admission office? Delete? Save in the file?</p>
<p>What is weighed the most on one’s application?</p>
<p>GemmaV - Would love to know the answer when you find out! Thanks!</p>
<p>Glad: Save in the file, unless it’s an interview appointment request e-mail or something else trivial.</p>
<p>tmenon: Everything!</p>
<p>Thanks, Gemma. I just poured myself a cup of java (again).</p>
<p>Thank you for addressing the chance threads. Boy, am I glad I told my child to ignore them. I just won’t look at them. Really not a healthy place to be. At the end of the day, my child is excited about the “adventure” of boarding school, there aren’t many local options, and I hope that one of the schools we think will be a good fit, will be able to catch him in the sea of applications. Okay, off of my soap box.</p>
<p>Glad-I second your ideas on the chance me thread–I wont even click on the link–lol.</p>