The AOs know that the SSAT doesn’t always reflect your abilities as a student, so don’t worry too much. I got a 96%, but I got a low score in the quant section, even though I’m generally good at math 
No- in the AO’s eyes there’s no difference. The SSAT/ISEE is just to show that you’re decently smart, and it’s mostly just used to weed out students who are obviously unable to handle the rigor of the school. Whether it’s the SSAT or ISEE, both are credited and well-respected. The SSAT happens to be more popular but that doesn’t discount your ISEE scores at all! There’s nothing to be worried about.
Opposite for me! I’m generally good at math, and it absolutely carried my SSAT. I got an 800, 99th percentile, while my reading and verbal were 90 and 91. Overall I got a 96 and that was mostly because of math section lol. I would have prefered my verbal and reading were a bit higher, but there’s no universe where retaking a 96 is worth it.
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Same 800 and 99 percentile on math but i got 72 and 73 for reading comp and verbal 
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Dw! Schools don’t accept or reject based just off of SSAT score. I honestly think anything 85+ is great- a school would not care about the difference between an 85 and a 95. Even lower would also be acceptable. Your score is the simpler part of your application, as it’s mainly just something to check off the list. You said you had an 87 earlier, so I think you should be fine.
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Schools that take both do not care. Some schools told us they only looked at the SSAT as it is a harder test. At the end of the day if they do not care send your best scores as you are only trying to show the AO that you can do the work, this is not a contest for 1st place.
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I’ve applied to 20 schools. Being an international applicant and requiring FA but overall I think I did pretty good.
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That is so much work. Impressive. My son applied to four. I was worrying but now feel really calm because there is no changing that now. Out of our hands. I hope you get good options after putting in such an enormous effort.
Yes thank you, but I applied using SAO instead of gateway so that I didn’t have to personalize and write essays for each school. It saved a lot of time. But yes, too many interviews to attend and I have broadened my horizon with the schools I’ve chosen to apply to!
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what was your essay topic? I see so many interesting and hooking essay topics on CC from others. My essays seem a little cliche lol.
So, the 500 word essay’s topic was basically a lyric from a song in an indian movie and how it impacted my life.
I applied to 6… right now I’m wishing I applied to more. Since J15, I’ve already found 3 well rated boarding schools in my area which offer good finaid (just not in the same league as exeter ofc). I’m regretting I didn’t do more research into schools before finalizing my application list! Unfortunately I can’t change the past, so nothing left to do besides wait for M10.
20 schools is still really impressive! Your schedule must have been full with all the interviews, tours, and research needed for each one. Gl on March 10th!
Same! I do have a few regrets about how I handled the process (maybe shouldn’t have crammed all of my essays over break lol) but now that the submission date has passed I’ve come to terms with it. Nothing left to do but wait. Good luck to your son!
Great topic! Mine for andover. were generic, experience in student council, music, and volunteering etc.
Thank you everyone! Deciding to apply to so many is because I’m currently in grade 11 and am applying to be a reclass. I had applied last year to 7 schools when I was in grade 10 and got WL in one of those schools but couldn’t get off the WL. This is my last chance to get in unfortunately being an international applicant requiring FA, so the stakes are high. I researched a lot as I also ought to be test optional in all the schools I apply to because I didn’t have the time to study for a standardized testing this year unlike last year and I applied to prestigious and hidden gem schools as per my consideration for this session.
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Did any of yall visit Groton? The campus was good, but the dorms were a little messy. What did you guys think
I visited, and the dorms seemed nice, but I was a little skeptical about the 3/4th walls (for 9th graders). In the grand scheme of things, I liked the school a lot, so that didn’t really bother me.
I visited! the school is great, but the 3/4 walls for the ninth graders threw me off. If I’m going to be living somewhere from September to June, I want to at least have my own closed off space to stay in. Of course, that wouldn’t affect me in any way unless I actually got in- I’d still be ecstatic to go lol. The campus was otherwise similar to Middlesex in size and feel, especially with the Circle.
so did I!! however I superscored because I had a higher quant score on my test with a 95