Neither is asking specifically, but I remember Lawrenceville specifies. I’m sure that I could submit it anyway just as supplementary for both schools?
I participated in the online webinar last night and I am not impressed. They are trying to sell this “tool” as something that can help parents and schools better understand how their student can be developed. It is junk science to think that you can gather meaningful information about character development from a series of questions that are scored AND then the answers are compared to a small group who took the same test (although not necessarily the same questions/scenarios) under widely different testing circumstances. Some students taking it cold, others reading about what the test is looking for, others taking it with parents despite instructions. And then derive some meaning from where your score ranks? I’m a psychologist and this is the most ridiculous thing I have yet to see in the standardized testing “business.” Personality profiles and assessments have been around for a while but not in this format or under these circumstances.
@22louisl if I remember correctly, L-Ville is kind of their own entity and almost everything about their application was a bit different from the others…is this still the case? I really don’t think submitting the snapshot will affect your application, except to show your open to providing any information at all to the school. The schools really haven’t learned how to use the info from that test, yet, nor if the information is even valid. I think they are just using it for future years of applicants, once they see what the results really show and can look retrospectively to see what "attributes " do well at their establishment or if there is even a trend. My guess will be they will need a mix of traits to form their student body, just like with everything else!
I don’t think the top BS AOs will put much thought into a rather ‘fringe’ online psychological test. I think that they will learn a lot more from the interview.
I believe the most important part would just to be consistent. For example, if you spent your essay talking about how you liked to meet new people or something like that, make sure your snapshot skills also reflect that.
@bsmom2004, exactly! I haven’t seen the actual test, but I’m having visions of an online “what’s your best personality trait” quiz.
I have a kid, who according to his teachers, is the poster child for grit and determination. I’m pretty sure that this trait would not show as highly developed for him in this testing format.
Exactly, agree fully with your statements. I do a ton of leadership, but it thinks I’m developing in initiative?
Just like my consensus on all personality quizes, you basically get results where its how people perceive their personality, not who you truly are.
well they’ve been released, but i’m reluctant to send mine in (it’s optional anyways) since they kind of suck 
i feel like it makes me seem like an uncooperative, antisocial, snobbish kind of person who only cares about themselves yikes!!
I too am curious and skeptical… I think the theory is to have “successful” current boarding students take the test, then compare those results with applicants, looking for the character traits that will indicate potential success in the target school’s environment. The theory sounds good, but the execution seems iffy. My DS was a bit frustrated with the questions because, as he related after taking it, there were a number of “it depends” situations.
The other issue I have (obviously shared by others) is, what is considered a good score/fit for a given school?
I would would really appreciate an indication of what the “successful” scores are for a given school. THAT would make it a useful tool for students, families AND schools, assuming it’s useful/valid to begin with. We know the score on the SSAT, so why not the Character Skills Snapshot?
I"m sure you are a fantastic person. Please don’t let this snapshot cause you to doubt yourself. It is not worth the paper (or screen shot) it is printed on. Truly. These character traits are of interest and certainly play a role in what kind of individual is applying to a school but this tool is not accurate an accurate assessment of these traits… Comparing scores within a pool like this makes no sense.
The problem with consistency is that often, it is not consistent at all! I love group work, and working with other people is one of my favourite ways to work + I work most effectively in teams, but my teamwork is the lowest possible score?
Did you every think what else this Character Skills Snapshot may be useful for? Think like a lawyer.
I received my scores and I’m kind of reluctant to send them to schools because my results are only in the emerging ad developing. Do you think if I sent it to schools, it would hurt my chances?
@chipotlegirl123 Me too. What I got emerging on was exactly what my parents and teachers tell me that are my strengths. I got ‘emerging’ on responsibility and my parents wrote that I was responsible on the parent statements.
Do you know if not sending them will affect anything?
HADES schools
I️ hope not, I️ got emerging and developing on everything except intellectual curiosity. I️ also wrote about my strengths being what I️ was weak in… Not sending that
I would nt send this unless it was required: talk about quack science
Do you think our kids are penalized for not completing this? I am not confident in the validity of this assessment - I was also concerned how they tested it last year. Is anyone else not keen on having their kid complete it?
We didnt complete. No impact.
I’m not sure if some schools take it into account, I know that Cate says that they don’t on their website…
How long before you got back results?
My kiddo read me one question ( I was reading in the same room). From across the room, I could not understand it. At all. S/he was very perplexed that there were no answers that matched what should have been straightforward replies. For a kid that likes black and white, this test is a nightmare. Funny thing is s/he is a decisive person. So I can only imagine the challenge for kids who are still processing these issues. Still waiting for results. Have decided will only send if results are excellent in all categories. This thing needs a lot of work to be a good read on character.