<p>I'm looking at Hotchkiss, Deerfield, St. Paul's, Lawrenceville and Taft as goal schools. I am looking at Episcopal High School, Brooks, Blair, Hill and Loomis Chaffee as safeties. Any others I should know about?</p>
<p>NMH.</p>
<p>it’s a great school in its own right, though. as are all those other safety schools.
maybe mercersburg? that’s a great school as well, and it has merit aid, which is pretty rare.
you might also want to look into berkshire.</p>
<p>It depends, and how are your stats? Safety schools should be around 75%-100% chance of getting in. While the caliber of the admissions office in terms of acceptance rate is certainly lower for the latter (“safety”) group of schools, it is to no effect a free pass into those schools. Many people (maybe you?) most certainly do have the holistic caliber to have such a tremendous chance of going to those schools, I would be wary on considering those schools rides.</p>
<p>I have seen many people disappointed when they get denied from what they considered a “safety”. Again, I do not know how you stand up, so I can’t really comment.</p>
<p>As for the “goal” schools I believe you are far underestimating the rigor of some of those schools (especially Hotchkiss, St. Paul’s, and Deerfield). A goal school should be a school where you are academically challenged (to a very high degree) but you should at least have a fair chance at such schools. In all honesty, nary is there someone with such a chance at schools such as those. I would certainly include the ones I mentioned in the reach category.</p>
<p>Again, I do not know how you stand up, but this is the general case. Good luck.</p>
<p>I’ve never gotten below a b in my life and my erbs have always been in the upper 90’s btw.</p>
<p>There are applicants with 99% SSATs and who have never gotten below an A who have been rejected from your goal schools. </p>
<p>A 99% SSAT and never getting anything below a B does not guarantee admission at your safety schools, although you certainly have a much better chance than at your reach schools. </p>
<p>If you would like to have choices around March 10th, you might view your goal schools as reaches (which they are for almost everyone) and your safety schools as profile schools or back-ups. </p>
<p>There is a test that is usually called the erb, but is a test offered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). I forget the name of this test, but it starts with a C (CLPT?). Anyway, this test is usually given by independent schools and some public schools. The scores you receive are normed 3 ways: 1. Within the independent school test takers. 2. Within competitive suburban public schools. 3. Nationally normed. If you score consistently in the high 90’s with the first group, then you have a good chance of scoring similarly on the SSAT. However, even then, I know of a few SSAT test takers who had always done well on the ERB’s who were surprised at their first SSAT test results. They repeated the test and were happpier with the second try. </p>
<p>Are you looking for a specific sport, ec or arts activity? Some schools are stronger in certain areas. People might be able to suggest more schools for you if you provided more info on what you would like, and how you plan to contribute to the boarding community. </p>
<p>Anyway, if you have any questions on Blair, feel free to ask me or send me a private message. It’s a great school that has been on the rise!</p>
<p>Burb Parent, are you talking about ISEE?</p>
<p>It’s the CTP [ERB</a> :: CTP 4: Grades 1 - 10](<a href=“http://www.erbtest.org/parents/achievement/ctp4]ERB”>http://www.erbtest.org/parents/achievement/ctp4). It is given at most independent schools and some suburban public schools. Often it is called the ERB, which is the parent testing company that also does the ISEE.</p>