My son is in the 8th grade, and he has been on the Dean’s list for 3 years straight. In addition to this, his SSAT score is 2205. The high average of the Lawrenceville School’s SSAT scores is 2095. My son is a captain in debating, and he has only lost 2 matches. He is an adept skiier, and is better than me, his dad! My son is Asian American, and has a strong connection with English. Even more so than me! My son also plays the violin. He is in 5th chair, and in first violin. The boy has had experience with swimming, tennis, and cross country. He bikes casually. We are applying for financial aid in Lawrenceville, and as a Day Student. What do you guys think thus far of my son’s application?
Put this in the Chances section please! This section is only for admissons questions and the like. I’ll be happy to reply in the Chances forum!
“Lawrenceville School’s SSAT scores is 2095”
That’s our average SAT (from two years ago, anyway), not SSAT. Boarding schools only report average SSATs as percentiles (ours is 85%, I believe). Applying for FA as a day student will be very competitive, but I think your son has a good chance.
My son’s percentile was 91%. We’re taking the test once more this Saturday. My son has studied the material more, and has honed his mathematical skills, which was a severe weak spot. Do you know where one can take part in community service opportunities in the state of NJ, by the way? Oh, and my son know how to program in HTML and Visual Basic. What can he do in order to stand out? I’m kind of nervous at this point, to be completely frank.
Day students applying for FA are at a disadvantage at schools like Lawrenceville. Have you considered having him apply to a need blind school (like Andover)? As @MBVLoveless points out, your son’s SSAT percentile is slightly above the average. The admit rate for students needing FA are considerably lower than those who don’t need FA. The competition for a day student spot at Lawrenceville is intense. Good luck
You can also try Saint Paul’s School which is a need-blind FA admission too. Need blind just means that if they get in they’ll automatically get FA if the gross income is low enough.