low ssat score but really good visu arts portfolio and ECs, honors, awards...... do I have a chance?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hello! I am really looking forward to going to a boarding school, but I am really worried. I decided I wanted to go to a boarding school in the middle of November and did not have much time to prepare. I had to take the ssat test in mid January and that was my only shot. I did study, but my ssat percentile was about 55%-65% (very low).

If I was just a normal academically thriving student, I would have gave up on my application process. The reason I continued was because I had quite a lot to write for awards, honors, ECs and more. My awards and honors filled up more than 2 pages and my ECs filled up half a page or more.

My biggest advantage was my hook. My portfolio was really good and my interviewer was really impressed and I think I left a good impression. My drawings are really good compared to my peers. Some are better than the student drawings displayed at the school? (I submitted this all in the application.) My portfolio was really what separated me from the other many, many applicants, and hopefully, the admission office will remember me. (I sent emails to all the school arts coaches and continued on with some of them with short conversations. From a few of the art teachers and interviewers I received an email saying that they remember me and would love to see me at their school-it was a personal email; not one that the schools regularly send out to every applicant.)

My graded essay from my current school was excellent, but the essays for the application; I’m not so sure. I think I was really creative but I don’t know if it was enough.

My questions are:

  1. How much does the ssat test take up on my chances of being accepted?
  2. Do I stand out (discluding my ssat scores) from the other applicants or does everyone have a lot of awards, honors, ECs and a hook? (ex-art portfolios, national awards......)
  3. Has anyone been accepted into a boarding school with a low ssat score?
  4. I am obviously a student aiming my future towards the visual arts, if I do not get accepted should I try out for my sophomore year?

Thank you all in advance and if I don’t have a chance, please honestly let me know because I don’t want to have false hope.

Thank you!!! :)))))

2

Hey there,
Will you be taking the SSAT again in the future? I highly suggest that you do, though I am not part of the admissions committee, I am quite sure they will look through your SSAT but not scrutinise it. That is due to the vast amount of applications, but still, a low SSAT score will catch their attention and make them think twice about your application.

It’s really good that your visual arts profile is strong, and I believe it will help you, along with your good interview. I cannot say how much SSAT scores take up in the application process, but I believe it is about 10-25%. Again, I am not part of admissions so do not take my word for it.

Compared to other students, your art may stand out. Keep in mind that all the students applying for boarding school are well-rounded, some are incredible at sports, some are great at visual arts, and some are even between them. I worry that even if your visual arts is amazing, your academic side on your SSAT may bring you down. I suggest you take lots of practice tests and try to take the SSAT again.

I am applying for boarding school now, so I do not know if I will get into boarding school even with a bad SSAT score.
See, my first SSAT was 81%, and I got 50% in reading. I ACCIDENTALLY sent it to Choate, and couldn’t take it back. The score I sent in the end was a 96%, however, Admissions will see my 50% and I believe they will take notice of it. If I get into Choate at all after the Admissions process, I may update my page. :slight_smile:

Also, some people do get accepted into boarding school with a low SSAT score, but they should be VERY good at a different subject, such as in your case, art. That’s good, but again, try to bring your SSAT up to further improve your overall application.

If you are aiming in the future to be a visual arts career, I hope you are applying to visual arts-focused schools such as Concord (that’s what I’ve heard about it). Though other prestigious schools such as Andover and Exeter do have very good classes for visual arts, it focuses a lot on academics too.

Overall, as long as your grades are good and your art profile is good you have a chance. Your acceptance will be dependent on the school as in what they value- academics, a well-rounded student, or specific talents. Try to bring up your SSAT to be safe, you can ask me for tips as I’ve worked my butt off trying to get a good score.

In one sentence:

YOU DO HAVE A CHANCE. Your visual arts is probably great, but keep your grades up- and maybe your SSAT too.
Good luck! x

3

Thank you for your reply! I decided that I wanted to apply to a boarding school in mid November so the only time available to take the ssat was mid January and most application deadlines were mid January, so I only had one shot. It is too late now to take another one, but I would appreciate some tips on studying vocabulary. The only reason my overall ssat percentage is low is because I received a super low score in verbal. In Quantitative and Reading, my scores are over 80%, possibly 90% (I do not remember for sure.)

I have very good school grades…although most students applying would have good grades as well. I also thrive in the academics (all As and A+s for past three years including this year current grades), but the part that makes me stand out is the visual arts.

Do you think I should apply to a boarding school next year if I don’t get accepted next year? Or do you think things will just get messy and will not help my college chances at all?

Thanks again for the info and good luck in your application with Choate!