<p>Based on your opinions, how many prep schools do you think you should apply to on average? Would 4-5 be too many? And to get into Choate, Andover, Deerfield, etc, how well do you have to do on the SSATs? What do they "expect" on the applications? I have so many more questions, but I can't think of anymore. If anyone could give me some answers, that would be great and a big help to me. Thank you!</p>
<p>Look through the archives on this forum; all of those questions have been answered in depth.</p>
<p>My first suggestion is to apply to a variety of schools -- not just the most competitive -- if you think you would love the boarding life. Six is a good number -- 2 reaches, 2 matches, 2 safeties (or another match & one safety). The schools you noted above are reaches for almost everyone. It actually takes more work finding your matches and safeties than selecting the reaches. </p>
<p>I will search for and bump up the thread "Rate the Following." You will find SSAT info there.</p>
<p>You can find a typical application in the Common Application. <a href="http://www.schools.com/apply/forms.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.schools.com/apply/forms.html</a> . I don't suggest submitting the Common Application unless you have no other choice due to time crunch. Typically, schools want you to be an active & positive member of the community. Therefore, you should think about how you can contribute beyond academics. </p>
<p>There is a wealth of information (and some misinformation!) on this board, so I second blairt that reading old posts is helpful.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>But if you're only going to have one safety, make sure it's truly safe.</p>
<p>Sara,
Most kids who apply to the schools you mentioned apply to many more than 4. Those are all reaches for everyone, so if you are eager to apply to them, you should apply to some good match schools or even safeties.</p>
<p>It's hard to know what schools are a good choice until you take the SSAT. I routinely have clients who target a number of schools then have very low SSAT scores and we have to rework the list.</p>
<p>I think you can learn a lot from this board though. good luck</p>