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Prep School Admissions
101

<p>it really does depend on the person. You could be not that great in school but extremely talented in the piano, kind of like that. What one person lacks, they make up for in something.</p>

102

<p>This is an interesting thread.
I'm thinking about the weight that most posters think is given to teacher recs...do you think that is the same for all candidates? There is so much variety in the strength of a teacher rec based on just the teacher's skill/personal relationship/available time. I would think the typical rec from a public middle school teacher (who has six or seven classes of kids per day with 25-30 kids per class) is going to be less detailed or outstanding that the typical rec from a private school teacher who has fewer students per day and an administration that likely reviews the recs before they get sent.</p>

103

<p>Yes, you could say the public school kid is at a disadvantage, but I think after years of seeing public school recommendations, they probably have a good idea of what is better than average for a PS rec and generally applicants are handicapped based upon their background.</p>

<p>That being said, if you can get an outstanding rec from a public school teacher, it says a lot more about you than the same letter from a private school teacher.</p>

<p>Personally, I think they use the recs to validate their own impressions from interviews and the other metrics (test scores, grades). If a teacher writes glowing things about how a kid worked on X project at the school and the student asks about service opportunities during the interview, it is a good indicator that this kid is one who will be actively involved in school affairs.</p>

104

<p>With all the discussion on SSAT scores, I thought that this was worth a bump. SSAT scores are only ONE part of your application - and IMHO, not the most important one at that.</p>

105

<p>Bumping again...in hopes that those who think SSAT scores are one of the more important criteria will see some different opinions.</p>

106

<p>Maybe off point, but I remember when I was in HS and really wanted to be chosen to attend a leadership program in Wash DC. A bunch of kids applied and were being interviewed, me included. I ended up being chosen to go. The counselor who told me I' made it said that I was the only candidate that talked about what I could do for our school and our community, by going to this conference. I didn't focus on myself or my achievements. I doubt I was the best qualified candidate, but perhaps the most willing to serve. I think it would help prep candidates to keep this in mind.</p>

107

<p>This is an oldie but a goodie. Worth reading through for all of this year’s applicants who are questioning about grades, SSAT scores, etc.</p>

108

<p>I’m wondering about challenging courses vs. stellar grades. Of course, it’s best to have both, but which part is most important? I take six honors level courses at a highly competitive school, and first term freshman year, I have 2 B’s coming my way. Does this put me behind everyone else?</p>

109

<p>Bumping again for current speculation on how much interviews, ssat scores, etc. matter. Worth a read through.</p>

110

<p>I think that they may be worth something like this:</p>

<h1>1) Interviews</h1>

<h1>2) Grades</h1>

<h1>3) Essays</h1>

<h1>4) E.C.</h1>

<h1>5) SSAT</h1>

<p>but idk this is my guess…its similar to what people have posted previously though</p>

111

<p>oops i forgot recs!</p>

<p>teacher recs would be #3
essays would be #4
e.c. would be #5
and ssats would be #6</p>

112

<p>I believe most of the school submissions included prior standardized testing information, ERBs in my children’s cases. This probably is evaluated as a check on the SSAT scores.</p>

113

<p>IMO, the things that count most are:

  1. Grades supported by SSAT (great grades with unusually low SSAT will hurt just as high SSAT but with lousy grades);
  2. Essays;
  3. Financial status (full pay, partial pay, or no pay);</p>

<p>As for everything else including EC’s, recs, interviews, for the majority of applicants, as long as they don’t raise red flags, they don’t make or break the deal. For others, they’d make them truely stand out, which may put them on top or make up some of deficiencies in grades, essays and financial ability.</p>