I will say to those newer to this process that from what I can tell from these boards the last several years with kids doing the HS process-being Catholic helps, but Catholic K-8 helps more. Non-Catholics who aren't at a K-8 currently are at a distinct disadvantage. These schools really try to pull from existing Catholic school populations, which makes sense. If your DC has a lower HSPT and you are not Catholic or even Catholic but not from a Catholic K-8, I would just try to be prepared for a waitlist. There will be outliers but FWIW, that is my observation from the last several cycles.

Catholic, but not K-8, 60 HSPT, B student, not legacy, not recruited athlete but heavily involved in outside sport, wrote essay on their own, loved everything about Shadow Day. Whatever happens, happens.

my dc scored 47th and it’s pretty much what I was expecting. She’s an average student at her parochial k-8 and a terrible test taker so it could’ve been much worse. She had wonderful essays (imo) and will have positive teacher recs that show she is persistent and engaged in class and eager to try new things. She’s very social and outgoing. Sport but not outstanding.

I am assuming this score will knock her out of the running for SJC (more than 2/3 of her k-8 applied). Any insight for AHC? Those are her top 2 schools. She already knows SJC is a stretch for her. Should I start prepping her for AHC rejection?

Anyone else have a kid with a 99% map svore and 60% hspt?

What is the lowest hspt gc accepts?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is a 94% for VISI?

Great score. I think anything in the mid 80s and up is great. After that, if you are a legacy and your scores aren't that great, you can still get in.

That may be true some years, but it wasn't last year. Unless you were a legacy or had some special case, scores needed to be mid 90s and up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got ours HSPT. It’s bad. Bad bad. Like below 40th percentile. Our child has an older sibling at the school we’re applying to, and has all A’s and B’s as well as extracurriculars. Scored very high on one or 2 sections but awfully low on others.
Are we screwed?
I am truly shocked. This child is not stupid but tested horribly.

Same with my kid. I think with a sibling there it's basically a free pass.

Being a sibling will not be a free pass for a really low score at the most competitive schools.

what's a really low score?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got ours HSPT. It’s bad. Bad bad. Like below 40th percentile. Our child has an older sibling at the school we’re applying to, and has all A’s and B’s as well as extracurriculars. Scored very high on one or 2 sections but awfully low on others.
Are we screwed?
I am truly shocked. This child is not stupid but tested horribly.

Same with my kid. I think with a sibling there it's basically a free pass.

Being a sibling will not be a free pass for a really low score at the most competitive schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got ours HSPT. It’s bad. Bad bad. Like below 40th percentile. Our child has an older sibling at the school we’re applying to, and has all A’s and B’s as well as extracurriculars. Scored very high on one or 2 sections but awfully low on others.
Are we screwed?
I am truly shocked. This child is not stupid but tested horribly.

Same with my kid. I think with a sibling there it's basically a free pass.

I think it depends on which schools you are looking at. Some of the more difficult ones, I wouldn't be surprised if a lower HSPT knocks you out even with a sibling.

Anonymous wrote:How is a 94% for VISI?

Great score. I think anything in the mid 80s and up is great. After that, if you are a legacy and your scores aren't that great, you can still get in.

Anonymous wrote:Just got ours HSPT. It’s bad. Bad bad. Like below 40th percentile. Our child has an older sibling at the school we’re applying to, and has all A’s and B’s as well as extracurriculars. Scored very high on one or 2 sections but awfully low on others.
Are we screwed?
I am truly shocked. This child is not stupid but tested horribly.

Same with my kid. I think with a sibling there it's basically a free pass.

Anonymous wrote:What are the odds for Gonzaga with 76 HSPT but all A's, coming from Catholic K-8, Great athlete but not recruited, put a lot of effort into his personal essay (7 pages handwritten). He will be devastated if he doesn't get in.

I think decent change unless a ton of kids from your K-8 are also applying. Gonzaga wants the kids that really want to go there. From what I've heard, many get waitlisted, and if it's truly their first choice, let admissions know and you will probably get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the brave parent that mentioned their kid got below a 40. High five to you! There are so many reports of above 97 on here, that it feels like being an oddball to join in the conversation and say a score on the opposite end. I’m in the same boat as you. And I’m wondering if my kid will get in. We applied to SJC and Good Counsel. Non-athlete, but straight A student in advanced level courses, that just doesn’t do well on timed tests. Are we completely out of the running now? We aren’t Catholic and my kid has never attended a Catholic school. I don’t love how much weight is placed on this one test.

Another parent right there with you. Straight A's good writer, not Catholic. Curious if any schools would take them.

Same here, public school kid. Have no clue if they will get in. But if they don't at least we know that public school isn't so scary. I went to Catholic K-college and would have been devastated to have to go to public school. Now I see that you actually can get a decent education and I know it won't be the end of the world.

Anonymous wrote:To the brave parent that mentioned their kid got below a 40. High five to you! There are so many reports of above 97 on here, that it feels like being an oddball to join in the conversation and say a score on the opposite end. I’m in the same boat as you. And I’m wondering if my kid will get in. We applied to SJC and Good Counsel. Non-athlete, but straight A student in advanced level courses, that just doesn’t do well on timed tests. Are we completely out of the running now? We aren’t Catholic and my kid has never attended a Catholic school. I don’t love how much weight is placed on this one test.

I'm not very familiar with SJC and GC's admissions as we are in VA but wanted to wish your DC luck. I also don't love how much emphasis seems to be placed on this one test. One thing I would mention, if your (or the earlier poster) DC took the practice test last summer and did better than they did on this one, I would maybe call the admissions office and ask if you can send them that score to show that this one was more of an outlier. Either way, I wish you the best. This is a frustrating and stressful process.

Anonymous wrote:To the brave parent that mentioned their kid got below a 40. High five to you! There are so many reports of above 97 on here, that it feels like being an oddball to join in the conversation and say a score on the opposite end. I’m in the same boat as you. And I’m wondering if my kid will get in. We applied to SJC and Good Counsel. Non-athlete, but straight A student in advanced level courses, that just doesn’t do well on timed tests. Are we completely out of the running now? We aren’t Catholic and my kid has never attended a Catholic school. I don’t love how much weight is placed on this one test.

Another parent right there with you. Straight A's good writer, not Catholic. Curious if any schools would take them.