<p>I wouldn’t be so sure as to say that Reading Comp. is probably the most important. I feel that it varies from school to school. I think that if you have a high verbal score, you must have some grasp on Reading comp. I think that of course, other areas of your app hold a lot of weight as well. But, if you do well in school and have a mediocre SSAT score, it doesn’t reflect too poorly on you. I think all areas of the SSAT are important. I’ve heard that Peddie, at least, looks at your math the most.</p>
<p>@laugh: I’ve been told by several AOs that Verbal is least important, because the schools view it as memorization driven. RC and Math more closely reflect mental agility. RC gets the the edge because critical reading underpins most non-mathematical coursework and isn’t actually part of the ongoing coursework.</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters too much, considering I was accepted to 3 out of 4 schools with a 76, and waitlisted at 1. The Peddie assistant DOA specifically told me that math carries the most weight, because math and science are part of Peddie’s strength. It may vary from school to school, but if you have a strong presence of verbal, it shows that you are okay in the verbal/reading comp. field. That’s what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>If I’m reading this right, you are a 7th grader now, and an 8th grader in the fall, when you will be applying for HS admission in the fall of 2012.
You’ll want to request information now from any school that remotely interests you. You will also want to understand your day school options and request information from those schools.<br>
You need to work with your parents to make sure you all agree on boarding school as a choice, on the financial reality of attending BS, and on a plan for applying.
You need to sign up for the June SSAT as a 7th grader and take it to see if you are in the ballpark for the schools you are interested in. Then you prepare during the summer and take the SSAT a second time in the fall of 8th grade to submit that score to the schools. Also check to see if any schools you are interested in have additional testing requirements (ISEE, HSPT).
Every school has at least two essays that you should start thinking about now: Why do you want to come to this school? What special talents or qualities will you bring to our school?</p>
<p>It’s not worth debating, frankly. Every accepted student has specific attractions to the accepting school. In my kids’ cases those have often been listed in the acceptance letters. My reason for commenting in this thread is to emphasize that applicants should treat every element of their applications seriously. The difference between getting a letter beginning “You did it!” and “While we were impressed by your application…” can be slim indeed! :)</p>
<p>Booking your visits and interviews: look at your school vacation calendar and look at the calendars of the schools you are interested in. Also check the admissions page of the school websites for the process. Some schools interview on Saturdays, some don’t.
Since you are on the East Coast, you may be able to split your visits into a couple of long weekends.
This is something to think about now, even if you can’t actually sign up for interviews until the early fall.</p>
<p>Ackk:(
I’m so worried for the ssats…
Someone told me to take one in sept. And one in December and take the better score.
Should i do that or take it in June as you said @siliconvalley mom??</p>
<p>Did you guys make flashcards to study?
I’m using the Princeton review book to study for it but I’m still worried like heck.
I think the analogy and synonym parts will be the hardest for me…
How’s the math? Algebra concepts or pre alg?</p>
<p>Oh, also can someone recommend some books for me to read to improve my vocabulary? I’m currently reading some Jane Austen books and The Great Gatsby.
Thanks again(:</p>
<p>For vocabulary, I suggest mnemonics. There are two made by the same company. I think they’re SSAT Vocabulary Cartoons. They really help! I would suggest taking it in June to get used it, and October for real. Plan on a December test if you want to retake it.</p>
<p>@lkim: The Upper Level SSAT, which is the one you will take, covers Algebra I and some Geometry. If you cover the Princeton Review material (including ISEE practice tests) you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect. You can find online flash cards on [Flashcards:</a> The world’s largest online library of printable flash cards](<a href=“http://www.flashcardexchange.com%5DFlashcards:”>http://www.flashcardexchange.com). That may help save you some time. I’d suggest taking the June test as a benchmark as laughalittle suggested.</p>
<p>Just request information from schools that attract some attention, and narrow down the list from there. Look over some of the courses, philosophies, core values, and particular things you are interested in. For example, if you are really into Model UN, see if the Model UN club is doing well. Each school is unique, so every school that you like won’t click with you. Definitely check the mission statement as well. If you are into sports and are really good at it, check the athletic philosophy (some schools prefer that freshman play as freshman, sophomores and juniors play on JV, and seniors (some juniors) play on varsity, regardless of special talents. Other schools will let you play on whatever level suited for your abilities.)</p>
<p>Once you have done that, get an application and schedule visits. The visits will, or at least for me, give you the gut feeling on whether you can see yourself there. That was one of the most important things in the process.</p>
<p>Study for the SSAT/ISEE (but really, take the SSAT), fill out the applications, and wait.</p>
<p>Do not underestimate the SSAT. My daughter (who aced every standardized test in elementary school) was surprised by the math content of the SSAT, which was far ahead of the math content at her school. Practice tests are crucial.</p>
<p>Hmm… So if I want to start or roughly begin a sport at a BS it wouldn’t be possible?
I want to take Latin in highschool and I hear exeters program is good.</p>
<p>@siliconvalleymom; I actually way overestimated the SSAT. I thought I would get a 70 percentile at most and I was so incredibly stressed the day before, but I ended up with a 98 percentile, so this year I’m definitely not going to panic before it. xD </p>
<p>Anyway, the moral of my story, lkim97, is that yes, you should study for the SSAT. Yes, you should take practice tests. Yes, you might be surprised by some of the content. But… do not stress out too much over it. Do not stay up really late the day before it studying - cramming will not help. Just mentally review the information you have already learned, get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast, then pray. :)</p>
I’m currently reading some Jane Austen books and The Great Gatsby.