I am a late applicant and I took the SSAT in Feb. However, an accident happened the night before the test, in which my best friend was severely injured and was in critical condition. This seriously affected my performance on the test date. I got an overall 78%, 51% for reading and 65% for verbal, but 99% for Math (as I am really strong in math)
I am applying to Exeter, Andover, Groton, Deerfield and Milton and I am an international applicant who is not applying for FA.
I am currently studying in the best school in my country and is in the top 15%. I know the scores are really poor, but I have decent ECAs and recommendations. My essays and interviews should be fine as well.
So I am wondering whether I should write an email to the schools explaining the reason for the poor performance. Also, is it almost impossible to get into those schools with such low scores?
Based on the 99% in math I’d argue that it most likely did not affect you much. Maybe you can srgue that you were slightly affected but I think it would look bad if you claimed that you were genuinely severely affected.
Not to sure about this, but you probably won’t be given as much leeway because you are a late applicant. Being a late applicant is already much harder and competitive…
If you honestly think that it affected your scores so much, you could try explaining to the schools (and maybe asking for the possibility of a retake?)… All your schools are extremely competitive and don’t have rolling admissions… Ultimately its your decision and judgment…
I have to agree with MyCatBorks. If you are pulling a 99%, then how did the event have much of an impact? If you had taken the SAT and have a previous high score and then you take the SSAT and don’t score as well maybe you would have a case