Coming from a NYC private school, ORM, do not need financial aid, did make a varsity sport team this fall as only middle school student, strong grades (all A/A-), think my essays are shaping up. I’m worried about my SSAT which I’m taking soon. What is min score needed you think? Top choices would be Lawrenceville, Groton, Hotchkiss, Deerfield, applying but guessing zero chance to Choate, Andover. Also applying to Loomis and Taft. I am so stressed out about this whole process. How much does a strong connection to the school help?
You sound like a great kid, but really no one here knows your chances. Just do the best you can, that’s all you can do. If you really want to go to boarding school please find schools you like that have higher chances of admission. This is advice I would give to anyone with that list of schools!
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Remember, you need one school to love and one school to return your love. So expand your pool a bit to include a few with higher admission rates and that feel comfortable. You don’t need to get into a bunch of boarding schools. You need to have one you like and attend.
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Why do you think definitely not Andover and Choate? They are similarly selective to the other schools you name. Why distinguish some as possible but the others as likely not?
And I agree about adding in a few others that have acceptance rates that are a little higher. There are several amazing schools that come to mind. What are you looking for specifically?
You are so nice to respond to me, thank you. IDK my mom thinks if I don’t get into one of the top schools I might as well stay where I am which I guess I don’t disagree with, it’s a good school. I live in NYC to I’d like to stay close-ish to home, diversity is important to me, sports but not crazy athletic. I know there are a lot of schools. It’s so much work these applications. ty again, you are very nice.
I’m so disappointed, i only got a 77 on my SSAT. Otherwise I think my application is fairly strong, all A/one A-, recommendations should be good, essays feel good, interviewed with all schools (top 10ish list- Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Lville, Taft) some went better than others, varsity tennis, strong community service. Am I below the SSAT cut off for all of these? So many mixed bags on feedback . I know it’s about the whole package but SSAT can be a make/break? 
There is no cut off.
I know the Head of Hotchkiss admissions has told me he realizes there isn’t much of a difference between a kid scoring in the 86th percentile (Hotchkiss’ average) and one in the 76th.
Your SSAT score is a solid score, but low for Andover. Groton might also be tough for one with this score.
I used to communicate frequently with a head of school who was also the head of a national private school organization. His school’s policy was that they would make space for any otherwise qualified student who scored an 85 or above on the SSAT.
In the not too distant past, many applicants would get their SSAT rescored as if they were applying to repeat their current grade. This will raise one’s score, but then the student must be willing to repeat their current grade.
Taking the SSAT a second time can raise one’s score due to familiarity & comfort with the test.
In short, your SSAT score is low for just a handful of schools, but not an automatic disqualifier.
TY for taking the time to so thoughtfully reply. I am hoping maybe Lville or Hotchkiss looks at the whole package more. I did take it twice and 77 is my highest. Sigh.
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Thanks so much Cinnamon. Appreciate your reply.
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Anyone have a read on whether test optional hurts you if you don’t submit? Loomis Choate NMH are the ones I’m applying to that are test optional. I otherwise think I have a strong application (A report card, one A-, varsity tennis, community services, think interviews went pretty well, essays I feel good about). Guess this is the deadline freak out.
Great question. I cannot answer your question, but I do wonder whether or not the applicant is seeking financial aid will be a significant factor.