Is my boarding school application and SSAT strong enough?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

I am a eighth grader applying to Loomis Chaffee, Choate, Hotchkiss, Peddie, Miss Porters, and Taft. Here is what i have:

  • I did well on my interviews or the (ones I did so far) especially, Hotchkiss
  • I have straight As and Platinum Honor Rolls for almost all the marking periods from 6 to 8 grade
  • i am in the NJHS and a debate team
  • I participate in debate, dance, swimming, and trying more volleyball. I have danced for 9 years and done many performances. I also attended many debate tournaments and won several awards. i am competing nationally starting this year.
  • In student council for a year
  • I am Asian American and i am not applying for financial aid
  • I haven't taken my SSATs yet and i am taking it in November and December. i am really worried about my verbal grades and I really need to get it up. i am currently just strait up remembering words because my test is so close and studying the analogy pairs. If anyone has any advice for me it would be greatly appreciated. Also, are mock tests harder than the actual test? Thanks again!
2

I am also taking algebra 1, biology, Spanish, and US history which are the most advanced courses in my school.

3

The mock test i take are from private companies like Test innovators and i also volunteer frequently in school and i have done that for 5 years.

4

You have a strong application. You are working hard, and that is all anyone can do, so now – except for studying for the ssat – it’s out of your hands.

5

Thank you for taking the time to reply and this has definitely helped reassure me. Thanks again.

6

Strong application and no FA is a plus. It is really about a solid SSAT now (80th percentile and up, roughly). We used the pay SSAT.org online materials (from SSAT.org) to practice. Quick tests and full tests both subjects. My son needed help on the math side, and if not for the online practice tests he would have scored average at best on the test. 3x a week practice for an hour or two pending the length of the test. Some might go daily, but we wanted to keep the stress lower. Good luck.

PS - He ended up at an 89th % and we said, Good enough, and did not retake. His school’s average (people jump on you here when you throw out SSAT averages but they are a real factor) was a 93 ish %. So scoring lower than the average is totally fine…and that is how average scores work.

7

Thanks for the recommendations i will see if it works for me. Thanks again!