<p>Another thing that I noted in the report is that the education of the child’s parents seems to be a crucial factor in scores as well, varying from a mean score of 1281 for children whose parents hadn’t obtained a HS diploma to 1683 for children whose parents had obtained a graduate degree, the rule is that the best educated earn the most money, which explains in part why FP students are overrepresented, frankly their parents are often (not always) better educated than FA childrens’s folks (It’s not PC but it’s true) and their childrens standardized test scores are likely to correspond to their level of education.</p>
<p>Sorry, but what does PC mean?</p>
<p>Well its pretty evident that there is a whopping percentage of boarding school applicants needing FA. Since four students needing 25% FA can accept an offer of admission in place of just one needing 100%, I wonder, on average, what percentage are looking for full FA as opposed to 50% or 25% FA ?</p>
<p>My guess is there are a lot of very attractive applicants needing 25%. These are kids with strong ec’s, from top schools( public or private), have community service, etc.</p>
<p>In order to be on the receiving end of a lot of FA, it would seem one must really have something (impressive) to bring to the table. Something beyond the usual, and what is commonly called a “hook”.</p>
<p>“Sorry, but what does PC mean?”</p>
<p>Politically Correct.</p>
<p>
That is probably not true for a school where admissions are need blind or nearly so. First, an admissions decision is made based upon the applicant’s qualifications. Then, for those admitted students needing financial aid, the amount of aid given is simply based upon the amount of need demonstrated by their SSS inputs.</p>
<p>
Let’s be careful about how we describe these statistical correlations. Wealth, by itself, is probably not an important causal factor for high levels of SAT achievement. It’s more likely that some other set of characteristics are causal factors for both wealth and SAT achievement (e.g., talent, education, personal drive, etc.).</p>
<p>By the way, there is a ton of fascinating data in the report I cited above. For example, look at the clearly superior math SAT results by Asians and Asian-Americans! (Has anyone else here read Outliers?)</p>
<p>“The Bell Curve” is another book that outlines scores across race lines and is inherently racist. The stats outlined above are all trends, but trends always contain anomalies. Terms like “needs blind” and “financial aid” are defined quite loosely among schools. For example “financial aid” can even include “paying monthly” (as opposed to lump sum) in some schools. There is much we don’t know. Stories like CSI’s are important because they provide more information, but I would argue that no one here has the whole story. In my case, we rec’d phone calls from two schools within a week of March 10 asking for more information about financial aid needs (>50%) and subsequently rec’d two waitlist offers. Draw your own conclusions. BTW, I am a highly educated parent with a mediocre (i.e. low considering education level) income so what does that say about expectations for my child’s SSAT scores??? Not surpringly they were high - even without tutoring :).</p>
<p>From my college days (a long time ago), I recall seeing an analysis that indicated that a child’s performance on standardized tests was most closely correlated with their mother’s education level. Seems to make a lot of sense regardless of where you are in the nature/nurture debate.</p>
<p>
The implication here that Outliers deserves to be classified as racist like The Bell Curve is incorrect.</p>
<p>The Bell Curve has been justifiably criticized for arguing that achievement differences among various racial/ethnic groups derive from genetic superiority/inferiority differences. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support that widely discredited assertion. In fact, there is a rapidly growing body of evidence that we are all descended from common African ancestry; e.g., see [url=<a href=“https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html]here[/url”>https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>In several of its many examples discussed, Outliers argues that cultural differences have led to some significant achievement differences. There is absolutely no racist tone to Outliers. Although I do wonder about and occasionally question some of its arguments, it is an excellent and non-racist book.</p>
<p>Isn’t that clear already? I mean I’ve always been taught in school that human are all descended from African ancestry, and there’s plenty of supporting archeological and genetic evidences. Don’t know why they still need to do more research on that.
*sorry, just an off topic comment</p>
<p>Imagine the possibility that chimps or some other animals evolving at a faster rate or human evolution rate slows down or both. That will recreate Neanderthal and modern human battles all over again. Just a thought…</p>
<p>Mainer: I didn’t articulate my thoughts very well! My goal was to raise awareness about the potential for racist assumptions when talking about test scores – in response to your statement “For example, look at the clearly superior math SAT results by Asians and Asian-Americans!” Just as that statement, taken out of context, could be inflammatory, so was my statement implying that any book that correlates test scores to race is racist. These are touchy subjects probably best left off a site like this. I think Malcolm Gladwell is doing great things and would hate to see his work marginalized out of a misunderstanding.</p>
<p>
but many people still act like Malcolm X 
I mean, it’s not necessary to get oversensitive about race issue. Chill out people, we were talking about something else, not racism racism racism</p>
<p>Wow! CSI, your thread has really started a life of it`s own.</p>
<p>Getting back to the original post, it looks like FA need is a significant negative factor in acceptance, but in a positive way, so are hooks including URM, recruited athlete etc. I think the main idea is that despite great stats, community service etc, national awards and no financial need, there are still lots of fantastic students who still get lots of rejection.</p>
<p>I don’t think we should conclude that whether or not you get in is all about financial need. What struck me about csi’s post, is how much of a surprise it is when you’re a top student (FA need or not) and you don’t get in (…to anywhere).</p>
<p>This tells me that the admissions process is very subjective, and I think the warning is well issued: work your hardest, apply to lots of schools, just be yourself and hope that one good school sees something in you to give you an opportunity. Whether you get into Choate or Exeter, Andover or Middlesex or Loomis or…it’s not a stamp of approval which says somehow you are better than another student who didn’t happen to get in to that school. You have to seek out opportunities, but if you don’t get accepted, look for others. They are out there.</p>
<p>With the growing number of applicants each year, that means that more and more great, qualified applicants are applying as well and schools just can’t take all of them. Personally I think it is luck sometimes (most of the time actually!) that one gets into a school, explaining why some get accepted some places and rejected at others.</p>
<p>First, csi=love, I have to say I admire you. Putting your story out here and having to face all the criticism isn’t easy, yet you still reply to these response. And this story is a great one to share. It shouldn’t scare the new applicants away, but inform them more. To those new applicants on CC already, know that you are in a way better position than some of us last year. Many of us didn’t hear about boarding school until the school year had started. Those of you who know about these schools have a head start. I encourage you to apply to as many schools as possible. csi=love has put herself in a position to be told that she could be lying and such, but take her advice and don’t be overconfident if you do make it in, don’t be bitter and turn away from everyone if you don’t make it in, and just have fun, embrace this experience and hope for the best!</p>
<p>If any of you do read through this long post, here’s just my advice and such!
I’ve read through all the posts up to mine so I’ve had a lot of thoughts (sorry they’re long!) </p>
<p>If there are any ‘11 applicants, what I want to say to you is, please try not to be overconfident about your application, and do have hope! Be proud of your work and your accomplishments, but don’t show them off at every chance you have. Also, use the time you have now wisely. You know about boarding school before many others. Most students find out through admission officers’ recruitment tours during the year. This is how I found out about my future school. And during my revisit, the original admission officer that I first met at my school approached my parent and talked to him about my application. My parents had no idea she knew all this and figured it must’ve been from my file. She personally looked over my file during the admission process. Having said this, don’t overdo yourself, but in the essays most schools require you to write, use your space wisely. Make your essay truly memorable, but not unrealistic. From what keylyme said about schools not wanting “cookie-cutter classes,” I think she has the point down exactly. If schools wanted straight-A, perfect SSAT score, model student, what’s the point of the school? These schools want a student who is self-driven, but has goals and something about them that just appeals. Most students who apply have what it takes to just pass the first stage of admission, “Does he/she have all the requirements?” But after that, if all students are the same, what’s so special? There’s got to be something to show the school that you are who you are and that you can contribute to the school.</p>
<p>About the financial aid…I would like to say that the school I was originally drawn to declined me because of my financial status, but I can’t say that for sure. I was accepted to Exeter which met my financial needs. Andover is need-blind, but I was rejected. Both schools are known to be highly competitive and have basically the same criteria. So why was I rejected from the need-blind school and not the other? Many reasons. The main one being, these two schools have separate applicant pools. Schools look for what they need. Say a star quarterback graduates and they need one, they’ll look for one. Doesn’t mean BOTH schools need a quarterback. They’re two different applicant pools. And the first thing my parents said to me when I approached them about boarding school was, “You do know that if you don’t get the financial aid you need, then you can’t go right? No buts. No money, we can’t afford it.” So financial status does matter plenty.</p>
<p>And even though a legacy is completely different. I do want to say this. I’m not sure if this person does secure a spot, but this person is my classmate. (I’m a rising freshman) When I was talking to them earlier, they told me that they were going to go to Exeter in Upper year. I was curious as to how they were so sure they were getting in. To this they responded, “Oh my dad is really close friends with the Dean of Admissions!” I don’t even know if this will get them a spot, but if it does, I think this is totally unfair to those of us who spend an entire lifetime (well from 1st grade in my county) working extremely hard to keep high grades up and do many EC’s and community service. Just saying. </p>
<p>Almost done! I promise! 
Just some random stuff here and there. Where I’m from, (not where I live now, but where I’m actually from), it’s a small country. I don’t think there are any boarding schools there. Boarding school really is an amazing opportunity. Give it a shot no matter what you think. If you don’t think you’ll get enough money, who knows? They might surprise you, but if you don’t get enough or get rejected, try again next year. Different applicant pool, different financial status. Never hurts to try right? And remember, everything happens for a reason. Maybe something better will come along
I have a friend who was rejected at the two schools they applied to. Don’t apply to ONLY top notch schools and think you have a perfect shot of getting in. If you really want to go, don’t aim for only like Andover/Exeter/St. Pauls/Deerfield/many more and expect to get in if only applying to very few (ex. 2). Also look into a few closer to home if you’re not from the New England area. (Nobody here really has kids go off to boarding school. I know of one other student. One. In a pretty populated state. I get odd looks and dissed at why I would leave my family now for this.) I have some great schools where I live. But some recent events happened at my school (too much drama) and I felt like I wanted to get away, get a fresh start. And no I’m not running away from my problems. Just need a breath of fresh air.
One last thing! Sorry! Just remember that the interviewer is not the only person deciding your application. If you two click, it doesn’t say anything. You still have essays and grades, SSAT scores, and EC’s/community service to consider. </p>
<p>All in all, good luck to you new applicants next year! Have high hopes, but not arrogant, support friends who apply to, and have fun! It’s a great experience! Sorry again for a longgg post! Just putting in MY thoughts. Hope I was some help.</p>
<p>@twentyfourteen,
Wow thanks for that long post. It was really interesting. And the part about the straight A student with a perfect SSAT score not getting places is really true. I know a girl who got a 99 on the SSAT, straight A, and was a leader. But she didn’t get into any of the boarding schools that she applied. I think this was because she wasn’t that driven and wasn’t that motivated to succeed. She just got straight A’s without trying. I think that the admissions officers would rather see a student who gets A’s and -A’s, but tries their hardest. That’s just my take on it. Thoughts?</p>
<p>What’s wrong with a smart guy getting As without trying hard? S/he may be a genius.</p>
<p>Just a comment about legacy kids: it’s NOT that they have nothing in their application except connections. In most cases, they have plenty of things in their application. A girl that I know, whose parents and grandparents all went to top boarding schools and then Harvard/Yale, did summer programs at Yale/Brown, interned at a SP500 company at 9th grade (why not, it’s her uncle’s company). She went skiing in the Scandinavia every year and did fly to Africa to help poor children. Sure her parents’ connection partly helped her get in top schools, but she argues that she did spend a lot of effort to go through all of those.
How can you beat that 
I mean legacy kids are advantageous in the sense that usually their parents help them gain the experiences that will greatly polish their profile. Other legacy kids that I met are kind of like that, they have plenty of things that help their application shine, with or without connection.</p>