<p>Hi. My daughter just received her SSAT scores and I am very confused as to how well she did. She is in 10th grade and would be transferring next year as a junior. What schools do you recommend she apply to? We live in the Washington D.C. area. Here goes:</p>
<p>Verbal: 749 Personal Score Range: 728-770 SSAT Percentile: 86%</p>
<p>Math: 686 Personal Score Range: 665-707 SSAT Percentile: 42% (whoops)</p>
<p>Reading: 722 Personal Score Range: 701-743 SSAT Percentile: 85%</p>
<p>Total: 2157 SSAT Percentile: 77%</p>
<p>I've noticed that other people have higher percentiles with lower or about the same scores. Is this due to her being a 10th grader? Sorry, one last question: when I took her total score, 2157, and divided it by 2400 it was 90%. Which percentile is more accurate, the 77% or the 90%? Thank you very much!</p>
<p>Are you looking at day or boarding schools? For most top boarding schools, the deadline has passed, except for Andover’s which is February 1st. </p>
<p>Your daughter’s SSAT score is pretty good. It means she did better than 77% of test takers in her grade.</p>
<p>The 77% score compares your daughter to other females who are or were in the same grade (10th) and took the SSAT during the last few years. Typically students taking the SSAT are from families which place a great deal of value on education. These students usually are from a highly educated, wealthier background. The SAT I prediction compares your daughter to the wider spectrum of college bound students which is a less competitive group. Junior year admissions often require or prefer that the applicant submit SAT I scores, although that is a school by school policy which is frequently flexible. School recommendations depend upon whether or not you are willing to consider boarding schools. If so, consider St. Andrew’s School in Delaware and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey is quite prestigious. Does your daughter have any specific interests in sports, music, art, writing or other activities about which she is passionate? The Asheville School in North Carolina is another option to investigate. A 77% is a very good score, but without special talent or classification (under represented minority, legacy, recruited athlete, etc.) might make admission to several of the academic powerhouse schools less certain. Academic powerhouse schools are St. Paul’s School, Phillips Academy at Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, Hotchkiss, Milton, Deerfield Academy & Groton.</p>
<p>She is interested in day schools. She has applied to Madeira, Georgetown Day, Bullis, St. Andrew’s, and The Field School. What are her chances of being admitted as an 11th grader? Thanks again!</p>
<p>Without a very special talent, status or ability, junior year admission to an academic powerhouse school will be exceptionally difficult. Mercersburg Academy has an unusual policy that may make it a great choice for your daughter. Blair Academy in New Jersey is also quite special for the right applicant. If you are wealthy and adventurous, then look into the Cate School near Santa Barbara, California. Junior year admission depends upon availability of an opening, usually due to a student’s premature departure from that class. Normal entry years are all prior to the 11th grade. Also whether or not you are seeking financial aid may be a significant factor with junior year admissions. Only each particular school can realistically assess chances for a junior year admission. Also, be sure to get a copy of Peterson’s Private Secondary Schools. There is a new edition each year and it costs about thirty dollars. My best guess is that for Georgetown Day, you better know somebody or be somebody or it’s not happening. But, that is just an educated guess. With respect to the other schools to which your daughter has applied, my opinion would be worth exactly what you paid for it—nothing. The schools are the only real source, other than a trustee or major donor, for insight into junior year admissions.</p>
<p>Gayle,
I’m in the D.C. area as well. My child is applying to four area days schools, some on your list in fact, but for a lower grade. 11th Grade is tricky because the only open slots are due to attrition. At least that’s what I understand. What have the admissions folks told you on that?</p>