SSAT not that great.

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>I got my SSAT scores today, as did many on this board:</p>

<p>Verbal Score 78%</p>

<p>Math Score 90%</p>

<p>Reading Score 94%</p>

<p>Total Score 91%</p>

<p>Not all that wonderful, it seems. I'm worried about this. I'm a super, super slow test-taker, which accounts for the lower scores in verbal in math. I didn't finish 4 or 5 problems in each of those sections, and my writing sample was extremely poor quality. Feedback? Here's the rest of my stats, for those of you who haven't heard from me before:</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Race: White
Region: Midwest
School History: Public School gifted prgm., grades 6-8
Applying for: 9th grade
Classes for 8th grade: (all core classes are basic school curriculum, with certain advancements for the gifted program, in addition to AGS II (the equivalent of 10th grade math in our public high school, three levels in all.)
ACT Scores: 22 or so in 7th grade, going in with no studying whatsoever. I wanted to get an evaluation of my raw skills. Take note that I am NOT a fast test taker, so I randomly bubbled the last few answers in every section.
SSAT Scores: Unknown. I haven't been all that optimistic about the practice tests scoring. With an ACT in the mid-twenties, what should I expect?
Interviews/Apps: Decent, I believe. I have good communication in general.
Recommendations: Probably as good as the average teacher who is inexperienced with recommendation letters would write. I have some absolutely wonderful teachers... I just hope that they'll convey everything well.</p>

<p>As far as Elective Classes (for the ones that matter, we have two, if year-round):</p>

<p>Band - Alto Saxophone (5-7) and Baritone (8) --- I might continue alto, or both, in HS.
School Choir (7)
Spanish I (8)</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS: (which I have narrowed down and edited)
-- Scrapbooking Club (6,7,8)
-- School Newspaper; Writer (7) and Editor (with a partner) (8)
-- National Junior Honor Society (7,8, inducted at the end of 6)
-- 8th Grade Youth Leadership, 1 of 30 selected from school district (8)
-- Girl Scouts (currently a Cadette) (1-8)
-- School Yearbook Staff, 1 of 6 selected (8)
-- Solo & Ensemble Competition (performed a duet) (7, may continue)
-- Summer Computer Programming Course (8)
-- Supply (Sales) Manager in Band (7) and Band President (8)
-- Student Council Class Representative (8)
-- Tutoring an ADD friend before school, twice a week, in social studies and organizational skills. (8)
-- School Cross-Country Team (8) and Fencing (8th grade summer--- will continue, if I can find time)
-- Before-school prayer group organizer with a friend, if I can avoid having it conflict w/ tutoring (8)</p>

<p>No real, formal awards, more often I just get some praise, which is good enough for me.</p>

<br>


<br>

<p>APPLYING TO:</p>

<p>LOCAL SCHOOLS
ANDOVER
EXETER
HOTCHKISS</p>

<p>--- Cinnamon</p>

<p>EDIT: JONATHAN ~ If you read this, please empty your inbox! Thank you. :)</p>

2

<p>Your SSAT scores are outstanding and will get you serious consideration at each of your listed schools.</p>

3

<p>Well done! Your verbal may not be super-strong but the other scores really pulled it up :) You are in the running for all the top schools with your impressive list of ec's. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I emptied it! :)</p>

5

<p>Your SSAT scores are great, and your EC's are amazing. You definitely have a chance!</p>

6

<p>How on earth is that "not so great"??!! :)</p>

7

<p>what do you mean "not so great?!!!!"" girl, you have serious issues!!!!! those scores are amazing! i'm also applying to and over and exeter and taking the SSAT in december. hope full i'll see you at andover and exeter! it looks like you've got some great ec's. if you don't get in i don't think anyone has a chance. (i've also heard of people getting all 70's and 80's and getting in so i wouldn't worry)</p>

8

<p>That score is among the highly competitive people who seek admission to selective prep schools. You're in the top 10% of a very self-selected group of test-takers.</p>

<p>Look at the "Estimated National Percentile" figures and tell us again how awful your scores are.</p>

9

<p>A 91% is probably too low for Andover and Exeter, which regularly get applicants in the 93%-97% range. It might be too low for Hotchkiss if you are applying for financial aid and you are not a URM. Why not broaden your list of schools: Lawrenceville, St. George's, St. Andrews or Middlesex?</p>

10

<p>Damaris...you're somewhat right about those scores. According to bsr.com Andover's average SSAT percentile is 93, and an admissions officer at Exeter said their's was 92, but that a few numbers off would definetely not make a difference. So I think Cinnamon is still a pretty strong candidate...</p>

11

<p>with the right interests outside of school and grades, these scores are fine. best not to listen to haters and those who just want to let the air out of your balloon.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
A 91% is probably too low for Andover and Exeter, which regularly get applicants in the 93%-97% range.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They just as regularly get applicants in the 91%-99% range. This is just great. People are pulling numbers out of their rear-ends, assigning them weights, and on the basis of these numbers alone are playing Carnac the Magnificent -- except they think they really know. Johnny Carson's Carnac routine was funny because he didn't actually believe he was Carnac.</p>

<p>What I hate is that, by pointing out the absurdity of the confidence in these predictions, someone might construe my point as being that I disagree. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the substance of predictions -- because then I'd be making a prediction myself. I'm just expressing my amazement at the certitude and precision used when divining what the numbers on a single component of the application will mean in terms of the final outcome.</p>

<p>There's a reason the admissions departments have admissions counselors and teams of people reviewing applications -- as opposed to a Mac G5 that will process the numbers and spit out decisions -- and that's because this is an elusive art, not an easily-cracked algorithm.</p>

<p>If you want to be constructive with a chances thread, don't predict the outcome. Help the applicant affect the outcome. Give them some ideas of what stands out that they should emphasize. Tell them where there are weaknesses and some ways they might try to overcome them or rehabilitate themselves as to certain deficient areas. Telling them, authoritatively, that 91% overall is too low because a school regularly receives applications with 93-97% scores is just silly -- and useless.</p>

13

<p>The SSAT is just one piece of an application..in and of itself it likely does not carry any more weight than grades, strength of schedule, recommendations.</p>

<p>Look what has happened with the SAT at the college level--more and more colleges and universities are going SAT optional. </p>

<p>If you want to apply to Anodover etc, do it. A 91% SSAT will not be the reason you are rejected (if you are).</p>

14

<p>Your SSAT score is great and as usual Thank you D'yer Maker / Momof2sons and others, you've said it every which way you can and will probably have to repeat it a few more times.</p>

15

<p>Please remember the the operative word here is "average".</p>