<p>Thanks, Anothermom2. The thread from last year was most helpful.</p>
<p>I've heard that Harvard could fill their incoming classes with perfect SAT students and valedictorians. But, they don't. The situation is probably similar with the elite preps. A huge difference, however, is that the boarding school is forming one big family, one big community. Students are much younger and teachers will fill the roles of parents, advisors, and coaches. </p>
<p>I know a girl with perfect SSAT scores and perfect grades. The last thing this girl would do is something that would benefit someone other than herself.</p>
<p>Is she attractive to a school? Sure, she is likely to produce a high SAT score and be admitted to a selective college, thus enabling the school to maintain it's high rank in those areas. So, she may be accepted to the elite prep.</p>
<p>That same school will hopefully fill their ranks with other types of students if they hope to have a multi-dimensional student body that will produce more than impressive stats.</p>
<p>I think I could categorize SSATers like</p>
<p>50s and lower</p>
<p>60s</p>
<p>70s</p>
<p>80s</p>
<p>90s</p>
<p>Benevolent, that was mean. I got 98%. Does that make mea dweeb?</p>
<p>@intrique: I realize I am replying to a dated post but your comment about “Obviously there are exceptions, but the majority of people who get 99s tend to be socially awkward, unathletic, introverted, ect.” is very insensitive. Hope you have been socially educated enough since writing this post to know that being introverted is a valid personality. Extroverts are not any better and your arrogance and ignorance are sad.</p>
<p>I hear a lot about perfect scores and “hooks” but I think the most important issue is who you are as a person. Most of the kids who apply have been successful academically speaking, but people will see who you are when you interview and when you write. Also, it is about the right fit for your school community. Admission officers are good at spotting the kids that will be offer something unique to their institutions. Anyway, work to get great grades but work harder to become a unique individual.</p>
<p>For an equation, one needs to balance in the level of awkwardness, SSAT scores, AND THE AMOUNT OF FA NEEDED.:)</p>
<p>99% kid…all A+/A…terrific athlete and musician. Do not know about recommendations or how this student interviewed but I do know they are very nice, can communicate well with adults (so I’m guessing well), and comes from a nice family. In at 2 HADES, not in at one, WL at another.</p>
<p>81% kid (Feb test, had a 65% on Dec test, schools got both results) …A student (a B+ here and there), terrific athlete, great recommendations, likely a great interview, writes very well. In at the same HADES school kid #1 was WL and also in at the same school above kid was admitted to. Waitlisted at a non-HADES school with an SSAT average of 60.</p>
<p>The 81% kid is someone, as EHP says, they want to have on their campus. A hard worker, who is a caring individual. Not that 99% kid is not, but it’s not all about the scores. It just isn’t.</p>
<p>Benevolent- (which is clearly a misnomer)- that is an incredibly rude statement!-
My daughter for one got 99% on her SSAT- not only is she NOT a dweeb, she is popular, pretty, funny, smart and has lots of ECs: sports, academic and music. I am not sure whether to be outaged by your mean spiritdeness or just sorry for you for being so unable to imagine that the rest of the world doesn’t reflect your (limited) experience.
I would hazard to say that an attitude like that will be your biggest deterrent to admission, rather than your SSAt scores</p>
<p>Are you REALLY browbeating someone after <em>2 years</em>? In all likelihood, benevolent has left the building…</p>
<p>Wasn’t aware it was an old post- but if the poster had made a discriminatory comment about ANYONE else other than bright kids- would you not think that meritted a response? Would you not think it appropriate to counter act any broad based tarring of a group of kids???
Or is it only “browbeating” because it attacks bright kids- are they the last acceptable group it is OK to pick on?</p>
<p>No, no, DC is in the “targeted” group as well, but it’s obviously a kid without a very well developed perspective who is long gone.</p>
<p>Disagree many high quality legacy and siblings are rejected. DS is legacy, sibling, >90% SSAT, many EC’s, mostly A’s, talented, still not into HADES.</p>
<p>I think that is the point Kittykat1…it’s not all about the high SSAT’s. As Baseballmom said a couple of years ago, schools could fill all their spots with All A’s, 90+% kids. They are building a class and unfortunately, that means not accepting many students who are qualified for a variety of reasons.
I’m also a HUGE believer that the name of the school does not make it better than another one. My son is at a non-Hades school. Daughter will likely be going to a HADES school. She is not better, or smarter than he is, it is about the fit. Actually, his test scores are quite a bit higher than hers (over 90 vs. low 80’s)and he was waitlisted at the same HADES school that accepted her. Different year, different gender, different sports, etc.</p>
<p>FA is not a factor if you really need it. If you can’t afford it and they want your kid, then you request financial aid.I mean why ask for it if you don’t need it. If all you have is $5000, that is all you have. It is a reality and you need to tell that to the admissions people while interviewing.</p>
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<p>Absolutely, but it’s also a reality that it’s why many very high scoring, very involved, all around great applicants are not admitted - especially if their race/gender is over-represented. I mean, how many really smart, artistic, musical, nice, white girls does a school really need? There are plenty of those in the full pay pool. It’s a drag because it’s something that the kid can’t control.</p>
<p>I sounded bitter in that last post. I’m not bitter, or angry - just sad.</p>
<p>Hi neato, </p>
<p>If it makes you feel better, we are a full pay family and my really smart, artistic, musical daughter was wait listed or denied at the three schools to which she applied. She was even wait listed at her dads alma mater.</p>
<p>No, Goodchoices. It doesn’t. It makes me feel bad for your family. Do you think the others assumed she would go to her Dad’s school? It almost makes me wish they would talk to eachother, ya know? I hope your dear d has a good local option or backup plan. I suppose there are just too many like ours. (My funny girl just said that it’s too bad she doesn’t have a horn growing out of her forehead or something to make her stand out. 
)</p>
<p>Neato - she’ll be admitted off a WL and this purgatory will have a happy ending.</p>