<p>To start off, I'm new to this site but have read many things here recently. I just recieved my SSAT scores from the Nov. 10th test, and found them to be quite shocking. Now before I tell you my overall score, I'll tell you a bit more about myself. </p>
<p>I am a daystudent at a small, junior boarding, private school who is looking for intellectual challenges. I go there because I get a lot of finanical aid; my parents are both self-employed and we don't have much money. I'm in the 9th grade. I'm a straight A student. The courses I take are: English, Ancient Civilizations, Honors Geometry and Latin 2. My favorite subject is English. I play volleyball, and am very involved in the school play (lead role). I get along well with all of my teachers, and as a result of this they will hopefully write me great recommendations. Although I work hard in school, and therefore earn all A's, I'm not challenged and really wish to be. The schools I am intrested in are: Emma Willard, Miss Porters, Choate and Miss Halls. (Choate maybe off my list depending on how much the SSAT's factor into the decision of accpetance.) Does anyone go to any of these schools? If so, can you tell me if I would be challenged at them? The last thing I want is to end up at a school, chosen because my SSAT score wasn't high enough for a 1st tier school, where I am aceing my classes and not being put to the test. Why would an admissions person look at a student, see that they are a good fit for their school, see that they have great potential, that they can carry themselves wonderfully in an interview, but then look at their standardized test scores and say "oh no, because she scored a 65% we cannot give her a chance?" It just doesn't seem logical, but maybe that really is the case.
Sorry if I'm a little sacrastic but I'm really a little nervous about this whole process. Anyone that can help?</p>
<p>There are some threads that talk about how the boarding schools view...
-Recs
-Grades
-Test Scores
-Essay
-ECs
They rank them in an order that they find suitable.</p>
<p>And as for your scores: If you feel like you can do better then go ahead and take the test over! It would be a shame if you feel like you didn't get into a good school just because of your SSAT.
Miss Porters is a school that I'm applying to and it is one of the top all girls schools in the country, so is Emma Willard. Both of their average SSAT scores are in the 70s/80s but 65% can be acceptable if your strong everywhere else. What are your after school activities/ECs??
PM me if you have questions.</p>
<p>I suspect, but I don't know, that your academic record will be far more important than your ssat scores. I think that 65% is within the range of accepted students at Emma Willard, Miss Porters and Miss Halls so you should not be concerned about these. Because you are at a junior boarding school, your secondary school counselor can tell you about what s/he thinks your chances are at Choate. Your counselor knows the history of acceptances from your school at other prep schools and should be in an excellent position to give you good advice. Good luck!</p>
<p>I wouldn't let your SSAT scores keep you from at least trying for Choate. You have to remember that the SSAT is only one part of the pie...that's not all that they look at. You seem to be a very accomplished student, good for you! 65% isn't that bad. I also took the November 10th SSAT, and was surprised by my scores. Don't let it get you down. The people from these schools have been doing this for a long time, and they know that standardized tests don't always show the student's abilities. Some people are good at standardized tests, and others aren't. It's good that you have high grades. Try for a really different essay. An essay can mean the difference between in and out. At least, that is how it is in college. My brother was accepted to Johns Hopkins all because of his essay.</p>
<p>Wow. Thank you all so much for your input. I'm feeling a bit better now. Responses come quickly on this site. dont they? oleschmole_xo, did you mean the essay in the application, or essay on the SSAT if by chance i retake it?? My EC's consist of Community service, diversity committee, as well as several leadership positions. (captain of my volleyball team and volunteering to go on a weekend camping trip with the 8th grade in NH). Will these few things work towards my benefit? So many people on this site have pages of EC's, but I'm pretty refined to putting all my efforts in the few things that fascinate me most.
Again on the note of SSAT's, does it help if all my scores (math, verbal and reading comp) are very close? I've heard schools like it if you seem well rounded more than better at one thing. ie, getting a 87 in math and 35 in verbal. all 3 of my individual scores are within 2 or 3 points of eachother.
--Thanks again!!</p>
<p>I am applying to Emma, Miss Porters, and Choate also. I was disappointed with my scores as well and am retaking them in January. Did you go to Emma yet? You can pm me with any questions and ask me for my sn.</p>
<p>"So many people on this site have pages of EC's, but I'm pretty refined to putting all my efforts in the few things that fascinate me most."</p>
<p>I think that's the most important part. From my understanding, they're looking for someone between a kid who sits in his room studying all weekend to a kid who spends five minutes on all of the activities imaginable. Admissions Officers know that it's impossible for a kid to excel on every single one of the activities listed on their pages of ECs. There becomes a point where a person can be a little too well rounded.</p>
<p>very nice way to put it. i hope that whatever admissions officers are looking over my application in a few weeks (ahhhh!) have the same mindset as you! thanks!</p>