<p>My daughter used Kaplan last year, she said that the practice tests were a lot easier than the actual SSAT. We bought a princeton book this year</p>
<p>bbRnc - it really does sound like you're at the beginning of this process. </p>
<p>As other poster have already pointed out, FA is generally based on need and parents are expected to make a significant contribution. And it is generally the school that decides how much aid they will give. I also wouldn't exclude some of the smaller "second tier" schools, as they also offer FA to applicants and are less competative to get into.</p>
<p>Also, I didn't see in any of your posts what your daughter's current grades are. Her SSAT's are definitely on the low side for some of the schools you mentioned - like Milton, Choate, SPS, etc. You need to realize that these schools are VERY competative and regularly reject kids with strong grades and 90%+ SSAT's.</p>
<p>Finally, how strong a swimmer is she? If she's considered a top prospect in your state, this will certainly help with admissions.</p>
<p>My daughter has recieved straight A's for a quite while now. She was in the National Junior Honor Society this past year.
In New Hampshire (where we used to live) swimming was A LOT less competive than it is in North Carolina. In NH she was one of the top swimmers in her age group in the state. Now she's about in the middle of the pack, but has a few North Carolina Junior Olympic Cuts. She did realize her score was low so we're trying to up it as much as we can. Which schools are particuarly strong in swimming?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Merit and sports do not play a role in FA.
[/quote]
Not true. Many schools say (Westminister one of them) right out - they say something like this: Financial aid is primarily need based. BUT...we know that we can't meet the needs of everyone, so within the pool of applicants we accept, it is competitive and awarded to the strongest candidates.<br>
So while, no you will not get a sports "scholarship" to attend a school, it does come into play when determining who qualifies for the FA.</p>
<p>P.S.
If she loves swimming and would consider an all-girls school, check out Miss Porters. I am (as the regulars here know) a big supporter of single-gender education and encourage anyone to at least go visit.</p>
<p>Mercersburg Academy has a very strong swimming program and offers merit scholarships as well as need based scholarships.</p>
<p>I agree with Linda's Miss Porter's recommendation. They have a strong swim team (with a recently opened swim center) and a decent endowment.</p>
<p>Andover has a strong swimming program. The girls were New England Champions 2002-2006 and have had several undefeated seasons.</p>