Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a SSAT test prep center? Waitlisted and want to reapply for next year. Mid-50's SSAT. We can drive anywhere in the DC-VA-MD area.

Anonymous wrote:My kid went to SSAT prep at this place and I swear every kids there has straight A and good recommendations. My DC was embarrassed to be in the same room with them because he has none. He got 60% on the SSAAT.

He got accepted to one of the big 3 yesterday while many of the kids in the same prep SSAT class got WL. The difference is that he is potential 4/5 star recruited athlete.

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. As expected, shut out. I’m so disappointed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So some of the more competitive schools admit students who can’t get above 50% on the SSAT? Why would they do that?

Because at the upper level it is a very difficult test. The scores are relative to other test takers, already a very select group of talented kids. You could score 50% on the test and still be in the top few percent of all students of your age/grade nationwide.

some kids pay thousands of dollars to prep for the SSAT, so they can get in the 90% percentile, others can’t afford that luxury. My kid is an A-/B student, test above average in national testing, engaged in clubs, very talented in the arts, great personality, great teacher recs! She could have scored better in the SSAT if she had prepped or if she had taken the test more than once. I only came back to this forum to dispel the myth that you have to score 90%+ to be seriously considered at top schools. I was pleasantly surprised.

Come on - be real. My kid got 94% just taking the test after taking one practice test. 8th grade.
It’s not all about tutoring or test taking skills - she’d only taken a few standardized tests at that point. She is a very strong student in all of the subjects and has always done her own work and that was the result. I am being real! I said SOME kids. That’s great for your kid, she did an amazing job on the test.
She then got 99.5% on the ACT with no prep either and is doing well in college taking challenging courses.
No money on test prep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So some of the more competitive schools admit students who can’t get above 50% on the SSAT? Why would they do that?

Because at the upper level it is a very difficult test. The scores are relative to other test takers, already a very select group of talented kids. You could score 50% on the test and still be in the top few percent of all students of your age/grade nationwide.

some kids pay thousands of dollars to prep for the SSAT, so they can get in the 90% percentile, others can’t afford that luxury. My kid is an A-/B student, test above average in national testing, engaged in clubs, very talented in the arts, great personality, great teacher recs! She could have scored better in the SSAT if she had prepped or if she had taken the test more than once. I only came back to this forum to dispel the myth that you have to score 90%+ to be seriously considered at top schools. I was pleasantly surprised.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child was just admitted to a big 3 with scores in the 30s on one section (80s on the others). Took the test once.
We're white and while full pay we're clearly not wealthy and won't be donors beyond tuition.
Great kid with all As who probably interviewed exceptionally well. I have 3 kids and constantly get told about this one by other parents and adults "wow, he/she is so thoughtful and mature".

Just wanted to post this so in future years so it can be read by others. I know I was worried. However, SSAT is just one piece of the application. Schools know that many kids prep for it endlessly and it's not always reflective of anything except for
how much money was spent on tutoring and retakes.

As the OP this actually stings more. If I had been white and full pay there’s no doubt in my mind my kid would’ve been accepted at all these schools.

don’t put that in your mind..minority...very similar child situation, tested low on SSAT, all As, great interviews and recs, fin aid ..accepted!

And white, male, full pay, 98th percentile with no prep, academic, athletic and character awards, musician, tons of service, etc., etc. etc., nothing to pick at in the application package: WL at Big 3.

You just can't pick this process apart and say "my kid wasn't X enough, and that's why they didn't get in." There is always someone who also wasn't X who did get in, and vice versa. Believe that they took the kids they wanted to make the class, and that lots of great kids didn't get the nod because there isn't room for everyone, because it is true. These schools have an embarrassment of riches in the applicant pool and they don't focus solely on one thing and not everyone they choose is strong in every category, whether its academics, wealth, sports, talent, leadership, service or whatever. At the same time, some of the all-around kids don't get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child was just admitted to a big 3 with scores in the 30s on one section (80s on the others). Took the test once.
We're white and while full pay we're clearly not wealthy and won't be donors beyond tuition.
Great kid with all As who probably interviewed exceptionally well. I have 3 kids and constantly get told about this one by other parents and adults "wow, he/she is so thoughtful and mature".

Just wanted to post this so in future years so it can be read by others. I know I was worried. However, SSAT is just one piece of the application. Schools know that many kids prep for it endlessly and it's not always reflective of anything except for
how much money was spent on tutoring and retakes.

As the OP this actually stings more. If I had been white and full pay there’s no doubt in my mind my kid would’ve been accepted at all these schools.

don’t put that in your mind..minority...very similar child situation, tested low on SSAT, all As, great interviews and recs, fin aid ..accepted!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child was just admitted to a big 3 with scores in the 30s on one section (80s on the others). Took the test once.
We're white and while full pay we're clearly not wealthy and won't be donors beyond tuition.
Great kid with all As who probably interviewed exceptionally well. I have 3 kids and constantly get told about this one by other parents and adults "wow, he/she is so thoughtful and mature".

Just wanted to post this so in future years so it can be read by others. I know I was worried. However, SSAT is just one piece of the application. Schools know that many kids prep for it endlessly and it's not always reflective of anything except for
how much money was spent on tutoring and retakes.

As the OP this actually stings more. If I had been white and full pay there’s no doubt in my mind my kid would’ve been accepted at all these schools.

Anonymous wrote:My child was just admitted to a big 3 with scores in the 30s on one section (80s on the others). Took the test once.
We're white and while full pay we're clearly not wealthy and won't be donors beyond tuition.
Great kid with all As who probably interviewed exceptionally well. I have 3 kids and constantly get told about this one by other parents and adults "wow, he/she is so thoughtful and mature".

Just wanted to post this so in future years so it can be read by others. I know I was worried. However, SSAT is just one piece of the application. Schools know that many kids prep for it endlessly and it's not always reflective of anything except for
how much money was spent on tutoring and retakes.

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. As expected, shut out. I’m so disappointed.