Anonymous wrote:Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond.
OP

Prep is an awesome school. I encourage your son to apply.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond.
OP

Georgetown Prep is the only Jesuit boarding school in the country and attracts applications from international students. I believe the use of the SSAT helps Prep Admissions to evaluate applications across the worldwide applicant pool.

As PP points out very well the SSAT isn't the sole criterion for admission to Prep. And like PP, attending Prep has been similarly life-changing for my son.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That being said, I’m dubious that the SSAT is a major factor in Prep admissions.

Why? What exactly is Prep looking for in the admissions process?

The school takes a holistic review and the SSAT is one piece. There is a minimum score and looking to make sure the scores are fairly even. I promise you it is not the 95 percent that everyone states. More important is grades and honors courses if offered, Catholic faith but we know non Catholics so it is possible to attend and. it not be Catholic. Yes helps to come from a Catholic k8 and that makes sense because they are looking for students that embrace the Catholic teachings etc. I support a spot for local schools. Some far out Catholic schools may not be as easily known and those boys deserve to be considered. Also a talent which can be sports or music. Most important is service work -unique and dedicated service work is hugely important. They also want to know that your child really wants to be there. Hope this helps. Attending Prep has been life changing for our son. He loves the school and is way more focused on faith and service work than I every was in high school.

Judging from observing several recent Prep classes priorities are Catholics, graduates of Catholic K8’s including a few “feeder” schools (especially after Dei), legacies, connected families, athletes in some sports, and some diversity candidates.

Prep appears to offer to admit at least one from each of the parish schools.

Anonymous wrote:That being said, I’m dubious that the SSAT is a major factor in Prep admissions.

Why? What exactly is Prep looking for in the admissions process?

That being said, I’m dubious that the SSAT is a major factor in Prep admissions.

Prep and St Anselm’s are the only 2 I’m aware of. As you probably know, the SSAT is much more difficult than the HSPT which is why the more rigorous Catholic high schools tend toward the SSAT.

St. Anselm's now uses the SSAT.

Anonymous wrote:Holy child requires the SSAT as well

No it doesn’t. It requires an individualized assessment that the school conducts. We just went through the application process.

Holy child requires the SSAT as well

Prep is also a boarding school and most boarding schools take SSAT.

We are starting to look for high schools for DS who is in 7th grade. Mostly going the Catholic route and wondering why Prep seems to be the only Catholic school which requires the SSAT vs HSPT?