<p>mountainhiker; You’re right. I hadn’t considered that point, and I apologize. But for those are are adamant on going to a “good” prep school, they should adhere to that formula for the admission process. I’m sure the top 100 or so prep schools can fit the needs any student who is hardworking and self-motivated. :)</p>
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<p>Nonsense. Starkali herself acknowledged (repeatedly) that her SSAT scores were lower than she’d hoped. She also acknowledged the impact this might have on her chances of admission. As for her having “VERY little chance” of getting into the schools she applied to, did you even look at the list of schools she applied to? Yes, admittedly, several of her target schools were indeed “reaches,” but at least one of the schools she applied to (and was denied at!) was clearly within her range, and two others were not far off. And do note that she applied to eight schools . . . that was not a minor undertaking. This is not a candidate who assumed she’d be a “shoo-in.”</p>
<p>And do not underestimate the role her FA application played in all of this. It’s easy to say, when a candidate has straight A’s, 99th percentile SSATs and still does not get admitted, that her FA application was her undoing. Well, it happens to candidates at BOTH ends of the spectrum! Yes, starkali’s application may not have been the strongest these schools ever saw . . . but if she’d been full pay, some of the schools might have considered her anyway. Add FA need to the mix and she didn’t stand a chance.</p>
<p>Should she have anticipated this? I don’t know. I’m an adult, have been through this process THREE times, and still have difficulty acknowledging how much of a difference financial aid need really makes. We like to think that life is fair, but it isn’t.</p>
<p>Some people in my position (applied to 4 CHADES, waitlisted at all and rejected at one) would be regretting the “Go Big or Go Home” decision. I can’t say I do- M10 has proved that most of the schools recognized me as competent and a fit, with mainly the full ride I need barring the way. I think the blame (if it has to exist) should be placed on nobody but the deluded themselves. They made the decisions, they chose what influenced them, and when M10 comes and shows that perhaps they were looking through rose-coloured glasses, they should deal with- and learn from- the results. That is called responsibility.</p>
<p>Starkali, good luck and thank you for the wise words! Life isn’t fair, in any given moment, but I think that it winds up to be in the end. C’est comme </p>
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<p>No, you are wrong. I cannot see how any of the schools – even one – on her list would feel comfortable taking someone with sub 20’s on key portions of the SSAT. They would feel, perhaps rightly so, that they were deluding themselves. Adcoms want to see the testing match up with the grades; if the testing is far below the grades, it then also calls into question the validity of the grades, and then you’re on to other issues right at the start.</p>
<p>@placido240: for one, a good friend of mine got a 47% on his SSAT, with a 20s and a low 30s on “key portions.”. He’s a fair student (A/B, couple of Cs). Few extra-curriculars/no sport or musical hooks/ORM. His interview was fair; his interviewer liked him, but nothing stellar.</p>
<p>But he’s a full pay, and he got accepted to that school with an SSAT average of 70% despite his score. I am just illustrating how much money plays into the role of admission. Low SSAT scores will not automatically strike you out.</p>
<p>dogersmom, I respectfully ask you not to use words like “nonsense” when you talk to a fellow CC’er who has a different opinion than yours. Otherwise, you have made your point, as an adult.</p>
<p>^^ In context, then, was your friend’s school one of those on Starkali’s list, or comparable. That’s the question. I won’t deny that some school will take someone who is full pay and waive scores – but the question really relates to Starkali’s schools.</p>
<p>@placido240: Comparable to Mercersburg and Westminster, yes.</p>
<p>@enemyofthesun - helpful info, thank you.</p>
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<p>They may not prevent you from being admitted to a school, but I think they will greatly diminish your chances of getting financial aid.</p>
<p>Schools have to look at their financial aid budgets as a very precious and limited resource. It is the responsibility of the financial aid committee to make decisions as to how to best utilize that precious resource. There will always be more students who need aid than the school can fund - and I expect that the more confident they are in a student’s likelihood to succeed at their school, the more likely it is that a student will receive financial aid. Many things go into that assessment, and demonstrated ability to succeed academically, including past grades and test scores, is part of that assessment.</p>
<p>Some schools may be willing to take a “chance” on a student with less than stellar stats and admit them, but they may not be willing to fund them - the financial aid funds are just too precious. And that is where the ability to pay comes in - the parents have to be the ones to take that financial risk, instead of the school.</p>
<p>We are well aware that there are many pieces of the puzzle that put together the right applicant other than the ssat scores and grades. I don’t think we can or should dissect anyone particular performance. I said this earlier on a different thread and will repeat in part: </p>
<p>There is a method to the madness of it all and trying to interpret or clarify the procedure would be futile beyond the basics we already know. For every scenario that pans out, there is almost an opposite situation that applied under the same circumstances. Examples could be given that would appear unfair or unwarranted. What transpires every year is never identical and what is perceived is hardly ever reality of the situation.</p>
<p>Starkali knew the M10 acceptance odds were remote and was told so by many CC members. The three key factors contributing to rejections were extremely low grades, the extremely low math SSAT score, and the need for financial aid. I admire Starkali putting it out there and giving it a go. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13841225-post4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13841225-post4.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13841376-post5.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13841376-post5.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13368849-post4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13368849-post4.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13368194-post2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13368194-post2.html</a></p>
<p>At a certain point, CC was a truly constructive environment, where applicants could come to get wisdom and insight. Now, it is a place where adults subconsciously, chastise applicants who are more than half their age. </p>
<p>There are a few things I would like to address:</p>
<p>Listen. Coming into this process, I was fully aware that I was going to be at a disadvantage, considering my far below par SSAT scores and grades. That’s precisely why, I decided not to apply to any “HADES” or “GLADCHEMMS” schools. Granted, I will admit that some of the schools that I chose to apply to, were still very much out of my reach. However, I feel like I picked a fairly broad range of schools. I was hoping that, out of the that I applied to, I would receive at least a single acceptance. (I applied to Dana Hall, Emma Willard, Concord, Westminster, Mercersburg, Lawrenceville, Peddie, and NMH).</p>
<p>On paper, I’m probably one of the * least qualified applicants here *. I’ve acknowledged this on * numerous * occasions. In fact, my father told me that I had “no chance” and to “not even try”… Although I’m lacking in academic achievement, I’m also abundant in a few other areas. I currently co-own a talent management company, was an intern for a congress campaign, won a few awards for historical and sociological research, and have accumulated over 300+ community service hours since the 7th grade. This summer, I will also be traveling to several Southern cities to participate in a research project, that examines civil war tomb stones.</p>
<p>I never used to read the “Chances” forum. It made me too distraught. I * yearned to be like some of you other applicants *. I would have killed to have my parent’s friends, congratulate me for my “4.0 GPA”…</p>
<p>In the 8th grade, I had a 1.8 GPA. Currently, I have a 3.7 GPA… I may be lacking in academic achievement, but I have more desire than some of you ever will…</p>
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<p>Oh please. There were plenty of parents who told me that I would have a very little chance of being admitted. Besides, there was no need to tell me. * I already knew! In no way, did I think I would just be a “shoo-in” for any of the schools I applied to. * Subconsciously, I was hoping that just ONE school, would see past the areas in which I’m lacking. </p>
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<p>I invite you to reread your post. In case you aren’t able to identify it yourself, in this particular post, you attempt to use grandiose and august terms, in order to demonstrate your OH, SO EVIDENT POINT! Everything that you just said, I’ve acknowledged several times in my previous posts. </p>
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<p>I would just like to point out, that are ways to get your point across, without being so obscene and crude. </p>
<p>To a certain extent, you’re correct. In retrospect, when I first started the admissions process, I * did * want to attend a school “like that”. However, now that it is over and I’ve cultivated much more insight, * I don’t * want to attend a school “like that”. In fact, I’ve considered taking an alternative route, and not attending college…</p>
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<p>Actually, yes, I do have somewhat of a learning disability. (I currently have a 504 accommodation and previously had an IEP). In addition to a few other things, that somewhat hinder me from being academically successful. I would be more than willing to discuss them with you (or anyone else) over a PM.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of you that have been so supportive throughout this academic season. (Dodgersmom in particular). </p>
<p>IBABBLE, Thacherparent, classicalmama and many more-- THANK YOU! I really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>I even appreciate some CCers like, kellybkk. I know that some part of you, was really and truly trying to help. Thank you 
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<p>I will not be applying again. I wish all of you, “good luck”, is this upcoming admissions season! It will definitely be an experience to learn, grow, and be enlightened! I will even stick around to help incoming applicants… :)</p>
<p>I urge some of the parents on this forum to STOP and THINK. You are talking to 13 and 14 year olds. You’re statements are demeaning and belittling and NOBODY gains by them.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, starkali. On another thread- what was it? A New York Times article said the single most qualifying factor for future success is character and determination, not which school you graduated from or your GPA. You are character. Thank you for sharing your story and being honest from the first day on CC. Maybe stick around on HSL with me and a few other people? :)</p>
<p>I would also urge that we let @starkali have the final word here. She is a realist and fought a good, painfully honest fight. Bravo, @starkali, bravo.</p>
<p>What do you mean by ‘a place like that’? A school that expects high standards from its students? What’s wrong with that? They aren’t heartless for rejecting you, or any of us, they just didn’t think you were the right fit.</p>
<p>I hope all goes well for you!</p>
<p>Helloel: There is absolutely nothing wrong with a school that expects for their admitted students to have high academic achievement. However, I think it becomes a problem, when academic achievement trumps character, academic ability, and desire. In order for you to fully understand my comment, I would ask you to read an excerpt from my initial post:</p>
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<p>Americannigerian: I couldn’t agree more! </p>
<p>98beebee and Choatiemom: Thank you, I really appreciate both of your comments.</p>
<p>Okay, for a boarding school to keep it’s competitive and rigorous nature, it cannot accept just anyone. Tons of ‘good people’ are rejected, but it is because they will not fit in in that environment.</p>
<p>Boarding schools look at the entire applicant. If it was solely based on academic achievement, I wouldn’t have gotten in anywhere. I did have those awkward moments in interviews where I didn’t have any outstanding awards (or any for that matter, haha) or achievements to boast. But some of these schools looked past that and positively commented on my character and potential.</p>
<p>Maybe boarding school admissions were that way once, but they are evolving, just like college admissions. You’re right, it is a shame that people like you don’t get in over people that only have their Intel finalist status or whatnot to propel them through admissions. They are top schools, that is going to happen, but I fin that it is happening less and less.</p>
<p>As Starkali’s posts powerfully attest, the problem here isn’t with children like Starkali. They had the courage to knowingly apply to prep school against the odds. Then they had the resilience to forthrightly accept rejection without bitterness or petulance. </p>
<p>No, the problem is that children do not have the functional equivalent of college counselors to guide them through the prep school application process. Unlike Starkali, some children rely to their detriment on perceived prestige or meaningless chance me threads in lieu of compiling a sensible list of safety, likely, and reach schools. </p>
<p>This problem, however, is not insurmountable. Some of the kind souls on CC could establish and moderate a permanent thread entitled “Prep School Counselor.” This thread would give applicants an opportunity to post their admission data and then receive a positive, but realistic, assessment of the schools to which they should apply, whether they are HADES schools or hidden gems. </p>
<p>This thread would not eliminate disappointment on March 10. As all the adults on CC know, disappointment is endemic to the admission process no matter whether one is applying to prep school, college, or graduate school. But this new thread might ameliorate matters to give applicants more specific information about where they should cast their wider nets.</p>
<p>Jmilton- that’s a great idea. I know a couple of schools where Starkali most likely would have been admitted and (given her writing ability) thrived academically. However, none of them were on her original list…</p>