If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High 60s with good grades. In at Bishop McNamara and DeMatha. We are at a Catholic k-8.

Added that DS was also waitlisted at SJC and rejected at Gonzaga

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know people don’t want to hear this, but the HSPT isn’t that hard. If your kid has good grades, they shouldn’t be getting a 60%.

Just because your kid is amazing and a great test taker doesn’t mean some other kids don’t find it hard. My DC has a learning issue.

Same. But Gonzaga never once mentions any support for any child with a learning need in their open house. They ignore that those kids exist entirely in all their school communications-done by design-so this approach of ignoring those same children who have a testing need or accommodation of any sort is not surprising. The other Catholic schools have support programs in place. Gonzaga has no interest in acknowledging that population exists. It’s a blessing in disguise to all those who didn’t get in as we are leaving Gonzaga because they could care less about my child struggling (and similar experience for others we know). Those children have applied out to other schools as it’s not a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know people don’t want to hear this, but the HSPT isn’t that hard. If your kid has good grades, they shouldn’t be getting a 60%.

LOL yes they are coming from poor academic privates that is why they can not do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious how much hspt was a factor in the decision. Child didn’t do well yet had good grades. Wondering what others experience was with admissions and a low hspt

Please define “didn’t do well”. Some people think 60% is not doing well. (I disagree)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but some kids suffer from test anxiety or aren’t great taking a standardized test and yet still prove to be straight A students. There’s a reason why colleges are moving away from standardized test scores. Happy for you that your kid doesn’t suffer from that.

The top universities are bringing the SAT and ACT back including Yale, MIT, and Dartmouth. I think more will follow. Many high schools inflate grades so universities use tests in their holistic admissions process. MIT used data to show why it was important part of its admission decisions and that can be found online. Very interesting actually.

As an adult who was not a great test taker as a kid due to anxiety, it all worked out in the end. I have a great, fulfilling career and attended an Ivy for graduate school. I attended a private school, but due to not great test scores didn’t get into my top choices. Ended up being fine even though I did not live my high school. It prepared me for college and life and I’m thankful for that.

Don’t stress! Support your kids, find the right school for them and if you don’t get in there then supplement with activities, sports, other things. Life does not begin and end with private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but some kids suffer from test anxiety or aren’t great taking a standardized test and yet still prove to be straight A students. There’s a reason why colleges are moving away from standardized test scores. Happy for you that your kid doesn’t suffer from that.

The top universities are bringing the SAT and ACT back including Yale, MIT, and Dartmouth. I think more will follow. Many high schools inflate grades so universities use tests in their holistic admissions process. MIT used data to show why it was important part of its admission decisions and that can be found online. Very interesting actually.

As an adult who was not a great test taker as a kid due to anxiety, it all worked out in the end. I have a great, fulfilling career and attended an Ivy for graduate school. I attended a private school, but due to not great test scores didn’t get into my top choices. Ended up being fine even though I did not live my high school. It prepared me for college and life and I’m thankful for that.

Don’t stress! Support your kids, find the right school for them and if you don’t get in there then supplement with activities, sports, other things. Life does not begin and end with private school.

This. I hire people and find that the top
tier schools produce thoughtful people who literally walk into walls and need to be told to tie their shoes or how to make appointments bc they’ve never done that.

My child got a 68 and went 3 for 3. Accepted into 3 Catholic schools, two of which provided scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know people don’t want to hear this, but the HSPT isn’t that hard. If your kid has good grades, they shouldn’t be getting a 60%.

LOL yes they are coming from poor academic privates that is why they can not do better.

Don’t be an as#

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know people don’t want to hear this, but the HSPT isn’t that hard. If your kid has good grades, they shouldn’t be getting a 60%.

LOL yes they are coming from poor academic privates that is why they can not do better.

Don’t be an as#

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

my kid got worse than 60 and got into Gonzaga. Sports kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my kid got worse than 60 and got into Gonzaga. Sports kid.

That makes perfect sense - they have still have something to offer.

[Anonymous]

Nobody asked for your cocky response!

[Anonymous]

what is the best way to prepare for this test? St Johns had 1300 application and only admitted 300.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious how much hspt was a factor in the decision. Child didn’t do well yet had good grades. Wondering what others experience was with admissions and a low hspt

Please define “didn’t do well”. Some people think 60% is not doing well. (I disagree)

+1. 60% is solidly in the top half of test takers. Plenty of kids at Gonzaga who are in this range. They are legacies and top athletes (or other extra curricular).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what is the best way to prepare for this test? St Johns had 1300 application and only admitted 300.

There are books if you have a self-studier. If not, hire a tutor. I have two kids that were in advanced classes in public school, didn't prep at all and were able to get in the 90s. Before making your kid prep, have them take a practice test in a book. They may not need to prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know people don’t want to hear this, but the HSPT isn’t that hard. If your kid has good grades, they shouldn’t be getting a 60%.

Just because your kid is amazing and a great test taker doesn’t mean some other kids don’t find it hard. My DC has a learning issue.

Same. But Gonzaga never once mentions any support for any child with a learning need in their open house. They ignore that those kids exist entirely in all their school communications-done by design-so this approach of ignoring those same children who have a testing need or accommodation of any sort is not surprising. The other Catholic schools have support programs in place. Gonzaga has no interest in acknowledging that population exists. It’s a blessing in disguise to all those who didn’t get in as we are leaving Gonzaga because they could care less about my child struggling (and similar experience for others we know). Those children have applied out to other schools as it’s not a good fit.

Did you tell them that your child had learning needs?