Re-Application: 2015-16 Application Cycle

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hello Everybody at CC!
I have been following various threads on Prep School Admissions for several weeks and I am currently starting my applications as well as finalizing my list of schools. I am a reapplicant this year for several schools.

My statistics are -

Schools:
The Lawrenceville School - Reapplicant
Deerfield Academy - Reapplicant
Phillips Exeter Academy - Reapplicant
Phillips Andover Academy - First Time Applicant
The Hotchkiss School - Reapplicant
The Loomis Chaffee School - First Time Applicant
St. Paul’s Academy - First Time Applicant
Milton Academy - First Time Applicant
The Peddie School - First Time Applicant
The Taft School - First Time Applicant
Princeton Day School - First Time Applicant
North Mount Hermon - First Time Applicant
The Berkshire School - First Time Applicant

Ethnicity: Asian American, Boy

Current Grade: 9th (Freshman), Public High School

SSAT Preparation:
Currently, I am preparing for the SSAT for October using Ivy Global, Princeton Review (900 Questions), Princeton Review (Word Smart), Kaplan, and Barron’s. Last year, I got a 2200, however after a year of preparation, I am expecting a 800 Verbal/Math and a 700+ for Reading (Scores for Practice Tests are all 750+ for Reading and 800 for Verbal/Math).

School Scores:
Currently, I am taking all Honors at my high school. In the past, I have been a straight A student with only one B in Spanish. In my classes so far, I have a 4.0 GPA in Algebra II Honors, 4.0 in Spanish III, 4.0 in Physics Honors and B+ in History Honors as well as English Honors. (Start of year, counting on grades to rise.)

Extracurriculars:
National Public Forum Debate - 2 years, School Team and Award = Winner of National Middle School Debate Tournament, #1 Speaker on National Circuit for Novice High School PF in 8th Grade, and #4 Speaker on National Circuit for Advanced High School PF in 8th Grade.
Tennis - High School Team - JV as Freshman, Winner of District Tournaments and Ranking in 12/14 Boys
Cross Country and Track - 12:49 2-Mile (8th), 5:59 Mile (8th), 21:24 5K Time (8th)
M.U.N. - High School Team
Band - Percussion for 5 Years
Community Service - Volunteering for Tennis (Teaching Children 2 Hours per week), Public Service Volunteering, Volunteering for Public Speaking (Teaching Kids to Find a Voice)

Questions:
What are my chances for getting into a prep school? In what aspects are prep schools better/worse than public schools? Would it be better to apply for 10th or 9th? (My birthday is in late August.) Are there any other recommendations for SSAT Prep? What do schools look for? (Either in general or specifically) Lastly, what are the “strengths” in the various schools I am applying for?

Thank you everyone. Wish you can answer my questions!

2

Regarding SSAT, I am not sure what 2200 corresponds in percentiles. Probably high 80s. Most people talk about 99% or 86%, etc not 2200 or 2300. It seems that your scores will be high. If you get 85+% in reading and vocab, 99% in math with total 95%, I would stop worrying about that part of application.

3

Thanks payn4ward! My percentile was in the 80’s last year, but I’m confident that I can get it into the high 90’s! Any tips on whether I should apply for 9th or 10th? How are my extracurriculars?

4

Also does if I’m doing anything wrong with the CC format please tell me.

5

Need some more info before I can give your chances:

Are you applying as Day or Border?

Do you need financial aid?

Post your SSAT scores as percentiles

Did you get wait listed last cycle anywhere or all rejections?

Are you Asian from US or from Asia?

6

sgopal2

I am applying for Day at Lawrenceville and Peddie and Boarding everywhere else

Financial Aid is needed

SSAT Score Percentile - 86% Last year, 96% This year

Wait-list = Lawrenceville, Rejections for others

Asian from US

7

Given that you need financial aid, it will be difficult to get accepted. Shoot for schools where your SSAT percentile is at least 10-20 percentile points higher than the school average. Getting into Lawrenceville as a day student is very tough, probably harder than getting in as a boarder.

Your chances may be higher if you apply as a repeat 9th grader instead. Your EC list looks fairly cookie-cutter Asian. Try to mix it up a little and show that you are unique.

Why not add these schools to your list?
Hun School
Hill School
Saint Andrew’s School

8

^Getting into Peddie as a 10th grader is tough in general. They only accepted 16 kids this year ( I know because I was one of them) I also applied for day. Overall, I personally think you look good and your SSAT scores are well above the school average. But just as sgopal said, try to mix up your EC’s a little bit.

9

Ok got it thanks! I am mixing it up a bit but it’s kind of difficult with my high school right now. I don’t have enough time for all of the visits.