Hey guys, I’m an eight grader applying to Phillips Exeter. I recently took the SSAT, and was incredibly surprised when I scored a 2400, but then I started hearing about how admissions offices brag about rejecting perfect scorers. Will this score hurt my chances of getting accepted? (I play three sports, a few instruments, and am in several clubs too, so I’m not a recluse.)
The only thing that a high SSAT score will do is boost your chances (though slightly). Admissions officers brag about this stuff to show that academics alone won’t get you into the school, you need other aspects as well.
Okay, thanks! I was getting kind of worried about that.
Not at Exeter. They have no problem with very high score kids. If you get turned down, it won’t be for that reason.
It’s not just prep schools - it’s colleges too. And I don’t think they are “bragging” about it; they are just stating facts. Scores are one part of the admissions equation, but not the only part. As stated above, if you get rejected, it won’t be because of the score.
Watch out for “hearing about,” if it’s hearsay.
Always remember that college and boarding school admissions offices lie. There are probably no more than 20 or 30 2400 SSAT scores per year ( I’m making a few assumptions about the shape of the distribution in the top 1% of scores, including a slightly “fat” right tail). If anyone has the actual data, please post them and the source. I would love to be corrected here.
As for the SAT we have the actual data. Only recently has the number of “perfect” scores crossed the 600 number. As recently as 3 or 4 years ago there were more like 300-400. I think the Ivy League collectively enrolls more than 10,000 freshman every year?
Note that interquartile ranges for all schools that I’ve seen report only section scores, presumably “superscored” - on that measure it may seem like there are many perfect scores. But of course getting an 800 in one section does not mean the same student got an 800 in the other.
36 on the ACT imo does not mean much. It is a composite number, there are a lot of people who score that high, and not enough granularity. Do the ACT people report the number of test takers who achieve 36 on each of the four component sections? I haven’t seen that.
No doubt prestigious schools reject perfect scoring kids, but does it happen a lot? Color me skeptical. Sounds like a marketing scheme.
(Obviously, of course, most students apply to multiple places, and so presumably there are going to be at least some more rejections than the small number of perfect scores would otherwise imply, but still…)
Test scores wont get you in or keep you out --within reason --but they do serve to validate the rigor of your coursework and the validity of those many perfect GPAs as well as aptitude. Further, the less an applicant offers in the way of attractive demographics or ECS the more the scores will matter-for BS or college.
It may happen a lot. I could see a school rejecting a kid with a perfect score simply because they know he/she applied to multiple schools and would prefer to go elsewhere. It probably isn’t that hard to tell you aren’t someone’s first choice based on the essays, ECs, etc. Plus, if you reject that applicant, you protect your yield AND get to brag about rejecting those with perfect scores. This may happen with a lot of top applicants: they get rejected or waitlisted if the AO suspects they’d rather enroll elsewhere and have the qualifications to do so.
I agree with @CaliMex, especially if one needs significant financial aid. Schools don’t want to take the risk on a “perfect” score kid who needs aid if they have a strong feeling they won’t come if they get in. However, in the case of PEA, with a child who it is their top choice, I don’t see that being the case.