I got an 82 on the SSAT and I plan to take it again. I am applying to Phillips Andover and I am wondering if the score is high enough. If anyone has any intel, please let me know.
Not high enough if you are a strictly academic candidate.
@rvvv2021
There is not high enough score… SSAT is only a part of your profile… Some may argue that AO’s don’t look too closely at the SSAT bc it is quantitative data, and reveal no qualitative facts… Your essays and interview has a huge part in adding the qualitative. Retake it, but realize that no one can rly tell you if your score is ‘high’ enough, bc we don’t know anything abt ur application and what the school wants…
PS
Ur wording rly made me laugh (perhaps its the fact that I am severely jet lagged and sleep deprived)
Yes CC has all the intel…
Bc CC rly stands for the Circle of CyberEspionage, … dedicated to bring you intel from inside the process…
:)) :)) :)) :))
Reread that…
Conclusion: I rly need sleep…
82nd percentile is only high enough if any of the following apply:
Your parents are wealthy enough to donate a few million dollars to the endowment fund without batting an eye
You are an impact level athlete who can make varsity as a freshman and/or eventually make to pro level
You are an under-represented minority
Congrats on getting an 82! That’s a great score but you might want to apply to more schools. Andover is pretty competitive. By the way, some CC people exaggerate what it takes to get admitted to schools. If your applying to a super competitive school like Andover nothing can gurentee your acceptance. The best advice you can get it to cast a wide net and hope for the best! If you aren’t happy with your current score see if you can retake it and send in a higher score. Best of luck!
I completely agree with @brilliancetocome
An 82 is a really good score! You should be proud of yourself:) I would also say to apply to other schools as well, and I don’t say that just because Andover is hard, but because if you really have your heart set on going to bs you want to keep your options open. Best of luck!
82 indeed is a good score. Sorry about my earlier post, I didn’t mean to be snarky. Many students are admitted to the top schools with your score. However it will be an uphill battle. If you can study and improve the score it will help. Best of luck.
From what I have heard, Andover looks at the whole student. SSAT are just part of the whole picture. Do they like high scores, of course but I don’t think it is a deal breaker. Exeter however I have heard they hold more weight. Our AO there said they would like to see my kiddos be at least high 80’s low 90’s and he is an “impact level athlete”. All of these schools are HARD to get into. Cast a wide net and pray!
I think you’re good (certainly better than me). Although the Phillips Academy website states that the average percentile for incoming students were 93. From what I heard from their open house this year, they said the SSAT doesn’t matter as much as your recommendations or essays because your score can easily be boosted by taking some study course, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get aim for a good score. Good Luck:)
I’m truly curious why almost everyone posting on CC applies to Andover. Does everyone apply there simply because it is perceived as number one?
@MiniLife yes i took it again and got a 95
@sunnyschool because it’s a good school and it offers a lot. Being number one means it’s a great school so why not’
All-righty. I figured. But I think the AO might be looking for something deeper.
Andover is ONE of the best boarding schools in the US, and it is also one of the biggest, so naturally it attracts a lot of applicants. Do remember though this also means it’s very selective. No matter how good your stats are, you should definitely have a Plan B in case you are not admitted.
^Why not? Because it may not be right for everyone, number 1 or not. Name recognition seems to be a prominent application motive for many; self-awareness, not so much. There are many great schools that offer a lot. The question was, why Andover? Is the choice informed, justified, appropriate, realistic?
I think it’s a bit silly how people rank schools. Is the most selective? The best arts programs? The best athletics? Just because a school is number one or two doesn’t mean that it is the best school for you. That’s something that is very important to remember. Find a school that is good for you and is suited to your needs and interests. Don’t just go because it is “number one”. It might not be the best fit for you.
Congratulations on getting a 95 rvvv2021! Well, GoatMama, the thing about deciding which school is best for you is about seeing which school will lead you to be the most successful. Now, for many cases, the better the school, the better the students. But that’s not always the case. Since being from a more prestigious school gives you higher advantageous, many people apply. But they should also know that if they get accepted, would they be fine there? Would the homework be too much? Is the price too high (although no need to worry about Andover because they have need-blind admission)? All these have to be taken into consideration before making your decision. From a logical perspective, it’s recommended that you apply to multiple high-ranked schools due to the better the school, the HIGHER your chances are of being successful. That doesn’t mean if you go to the best schools, it’ll guarantee you success. That could be true for public schools as well, but it’s just that going to better schools gives you better chances, not guarantees it. But out of the schools you chose, see which one fits your needs. By doing all this you should be able to go to a great school and enjoy your time there and not stress. So it’s pretty much a win-win. Hopefully, this cleared up a little confusion.
Channeling Spock here: “Successful” has variable definitions. “Successful” is unacceptable and inadequate. /
Success is completely based on personal interpretation. To some going to a “higher prestige schools …and gaining an advantage/edge.” is a success. To others its specific programs that will help them in their future lives/or future careers. Or its the community and campus…
Age old discussion… “Is it better to be the Big Fish in a small pond, or an Average fish in a big lake?”
With many different views on the topic I won’t go much into it (though I encourage you to scroll through some of the threads that discuss it) but many say that going to a more challenging school negatively affects your chances (lower GPA anyone?) for college admissions…
Apply to BS not because of what advantages it might provide you in the future (i.e. something like college admissions) but because you know that it will help you grow (academically, socially, and as a person), because it will provide opportunities to try new things, and because you know that it will enhance your high school experience.