<p>I agree also. But Straight A’s in a hard school can show a great deal academic ability but with a low SSAT can show that the person is not a good test taker</p>
<p>Academic Ability can be easily fixed. When I was in elementary school I used to have to go to speech class because I had trouble understanding concepts. I would get low grades and would get very low levels in standardized tests comparing to my classmates. Through Middle school I became a better student with hard work and I am in high school with a very high GPA and honors classes. Elementary school I had no academic ability what so ever, so what your saying is clearly false</p>
<p>So the SSAT is not the deciding factor of ones success at an elite boarding school. The questions can be confusing to some A students at hard schools. Boarding school academics is not based on questions on the SSAT, its based on actual academics which an applicant can clearly understand and achieve at the school</p>
<p>It is a factor that does give insight to one’s success at an elite boarding school, however. And this whole argument’s premise is flawed in the first place. What are we defining as success?</p>
<p>it is, but its not the “deciding” factor. The SSAT is used to represent the applicants current standing. Yes, it can have a big effect but its not impossible to get in. It is not a fortune teller that says if the applicant does well. If an applicant has enough persistence and determination to do well at a school, thats enough to become successful, not from some score that defines them. A lot of people who score in the 90’s have been studying for months, even years. There is no way that that applicant can get in the 30’s no matter his academic ability. The applicant may not have enough determination and persistence to succeed at an elite boarding school as someone who is in the 30’s. </p>
<p>What I mean by success is good grades, time management, and understanding of lessons</p>
<p>Well, if you study for years, that seems pretty determined to me. But I see your point. However, the SSAT is a BIG factor, I’d say probably 50 percent. </p>
<p>We have differing definitions of success, then. Mine would be enough time to spend doing what you desire, good grades, obviously, and then getting into college of your choice.</p>
<p>I’m just saying having a 30 percentile SSAT dramatically reduces chances of acceptance.</p>
<p>If u want to convince yourself u are going to get into one of these ultra-selective schools w 30’s SSAT scores and no major extenuating circumstances (e.g., recruited athlete, low socio-ec status URM, or development case), then go on ahead and believe it along w believing in Santa Claus.</p>
<p>GMT - is there any reason to believe that AOs see high SSAT scores as more the result of study and prep classes than intrinsic ability, or would that only be true for kids coming from private schools?</p>
<p>Just read this thread…agree with GMT that Pomfret and Berkshire make sense. Deerfield and Hotchkiss are lower probability without hooks. BUT, this is the most important point in the whole thread (by GMT), which I thought you glossed over too easily:</p>
<p>“A larger question for u is, even if you are admitted into an uber academically rigorous school w a 70% score, is that really a good academic fit?”</p>
<p>These schools are TOUGH for the kids with 90+ SSAT’s. If it takes a 90% kid one hour to do their math homework at Deerfield to get a B, how long will it take you? Are there enough hours in your day? Do you want to play a sport? Do you need some downtime each day to relax? Are you ok with working your butt off for C’s and B’s and the very rare A? Do you get scared in class when everyone else immediately understands the teacher and you don’t? Can you write papers quickly? Does remedial help every day sound ok to you? These are not idle questions to be answered glibly.</p>
<p>SSAT scores do not predict whether a kid will survive at an ultra selective boarding school. I have a relative that scored near perfect on the ssat, but the kid was lazy and did not do very well. A kid survives at these schools because they have the drive to apply themselves and the discipline to manage their time. It also takes a certain amount of maturity to live away from home at the age of 14/15. The admission process is very complex because there are many factors that have to be taken into consideration with the ultimate goal being a diverse student body that has the baseline skills to succeed. Applicants who are fixated on SSAT scores do not see the forest for the trees. Transcripts from middle school with teacher comments about the student, teacher recommendations from the english and math teachers, school administrator recommendation and the answers to the essay questions provide much more insight into the applicant than an ssat score. The essay questions are not random, they are chosen specifically to search for qualities in the applicants response. I also think that applicants underestimate the importance of the recommendation process. Recommendations are confidential and the teachers are usually very frank about a students strengths and weaknesses. When all of the information is compiled together, a narrative develops and that determines whether a student is offered admission. Admission officers are well aware that the ssat scores can be manipulated with prep courses. Athletes have to prove that they can do the work. None of these top school have remedial programs, everyone has to complete the core work. Some kids despite their academic credentials, are not ready for the boarding school experience.<br>
MRNEPHEW- An IQ is not a stagnant number. There have been numerous studies documenting when low performing students in under performing schools are placed in high performing schools with high standards, IQ scores have increased by as much as 20 points.</p>
<p>Your young mind should know how to dig for the information in the leading research journals. Or do you? Unfortunately, research papers are no longer part of most middle school and high academic programs. I would also caution you from making general statements that you can not back up with facts. Where did you get your information? Your statement is merely an opinion.</p>
<p>I’m willing to admit that I was wrong, but give me an example.</p>
<p>It’s also extremely ageist to assume that younger people are incapable of “digging through leading research journals”.<br>
It’s not that we’re incapable, it’s that we don’t need to.</p>
<p>I wasn’t aware that I had done something except for ask.
You seem particularly touchy on this subject. Any reason why?</p>
<p>Based on reading many of your posts, you seem to know it all at the young age of 14/15, an expert on who is qualified for admission . Your point regarding research, “we don’t need to” has a certain ring of arrogance to it. Looking at your “credentials” posted on another thread, on paper you look perfectly qualified. Perhaps it is just those things that the admission officers look for that can not be quantified on this board that lead them to believe you might not be a “good fit”. The writing and research demands at the top schools aretremendous and you admitted that " you don’t need to". You didn’t make it in freshman year and the competition is much tighter for 10th grade. Maybe you should lower your expectations, there are many perfectly fine middle tier schools that would love an international full pay student. you could graduate at the top of the class.</p>
<p>I said that you “don’t need to” for IQ research papers… Not sure what you’re going on about. Of course there is need to research prep schools that you’re interested in attending, or for other school-related areas. But because of internet and all of the other things that are up now, the need for “research papers” are very low.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I was rejected last year because I didn’t put half of the things on the r</p>
<p>Like I said, you know it all. Be sure to let everyone know where you get accepted on March 10. The only experience that matters is that of the admission officer who makes the final decision. </p>
<p>And by the way, you are way off base regarding “Research papers”- the ability to write a term paper is critical to developing good writing skills. I don’t even think you understand what I mean when I say “term paper”. The internet has not replaced the need to learn to write a term paper. The internet can used as a resource to develop your facts but it is not a substitute for a “term paper”. Any good prep school will have a heavy emphasis on developing strong writing skills.</p>
<p>wikipedia- A ‘term paper’ is a research paper written by students over an academic term, accounting for a large part of a grade. Term papers are generally intended to describe an event, a concept, or argue a point. A term paper is a written original work discussing a topic in detail, usually several typed pages in length and is often due at the end of a semester. There is much overlap between the terms “research paper” and “term paper”. The phrase “term paper” was originally used to describe a paper (usually a research based paper) that was due at the end of the “term” - either a semester or quarter, depending on which unit of measure a school used.</p>
<p>And by the way, all of those things that you “left off” don’t carry a lot of weight in the decision since many are viewed as “FLUFF”. Usually the motivation behind the act is strictly to add it to a resume. Things like CTY and “I work in a soup kitchen two times a week” don’t deserve to be mentioned.</p>
<p>All right, I will tell you which boarding school I get into on March 10. And, you are taking my “research paper” line way out of context. I agree that writing is important. The internet has replaced research journals, which, a long time ago, people would go into libraries to help them use it for their “term paper”.</p>
<p>Why are you so argumentative? I’m trying to be polite, but you’re really laying into it. Hey, I guess 51 year old men have nothing else better to do.</p>
<p>@mrnephew- Instead of being combative ( with parting remarks), why not take advantage of @firstgen’s experience and ask him some questions about his child’s success and acceptance to PA. There are a lot of people here willing to help and he’d be a wonderful resource. If you read between the lines, you’ll see he was already trying to help you. At least that’s how I see it. </p>
<p>@Matadorean- Something you should know: While there are plenty of applicants, current students, parents and alums here… there are also AO’s, alum admissions reps and parent/alums who serve as BS Trustees. Again, just something for everyone to keep in mind…</p>