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The Most Challenging Public University to Get into in 2021

“UCLA received the most applications in its history in fall 2021…”

We received news recently that we got another student into possibly the hardest public university to get into these days.  Interestingly, it wasn’t the toughest when I was growing up.  With that said, this university is where hundreds of thousands are applying to every year (these days).

UCLA is almost as tough as an Ivy League

The University of California, Los Angeles is more difficult to obtain admissions than the traditional top public University, UC Berkeley.  There’s been a surge of applications in recent years.  Almost 168,000 students applied for regular and transfer admissions for the fall of 2021.  This is 50,000+ more than applied for UC Berkeley — what many have considered the best public University in the United States for years.

A few reasons for the larger influx of applicants include:

  • Freshman applications from African Americans and Latinos increased by 48% and 33% respectively since 2020, according to the Newsroom. American Indian Freshman applicants grew by 16%, while Pacific Islander Freshman applications grew by around 34%.
  • UCLA’s outreach efforts and partnerships with organizations and high schools in underserved communities contributed to the increase in the application pool…
  • The removal of standardized testing as an admissions requirement also contributed to the increase in applicants

UCLA Admissions Rate is lower than Top Private Liberal Arts Programs

Comparing the admissions rates and Freshman Class sizes to other Top Public Universities, it appears UCLA may be the toughest:

Frankly, UCLA is harder to get into than some of the best known universities in the world including:

  • Carnegie Mellon
  • NYU
  • Emory
  • Harvey Mudd
  • Williams
  • or Wellesley

And who said that the popularity of higher ed is waning?  

What’s a 2100 on the SSAT equate to in terms of Percentiles?

We are regularly asked “is xyz score good enough for abc top boarding school?”  First off, the boarding schools are operating off of percentiles and not a gross score.  Your 1998 may look good overall, but it actually only equates to a 47% Percentile as an 8th grade boy.  It’s a 53% Percentile as the opposite sex in the same grade.

SSAT Percentile Examples for 8th Grade Girls

  • 2004 Total Score = 55% Percentile*
  • 2049 Total Score = 65% Percentile*
  • 2094 Total Score = 75% Percentile*
  • 2145 Total Score = 85% Percentile*
  • 2226-2244 Total Score = 95% Percentile*
  • 2295+ Total Score = 99% Percentile*

SSAT Percentile Examples for 8th Grade Boys

Read more

What SSAT Scores are Needed for Admissions into the The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut?

SSAT Scores for Top Boarding School Programs

As you can see from our ranking of the Top 25 Boarding Schools, Hotchkiss ranks towards the top.  As a result, you can already estimate that it would require a very high score on the boarding/Independent school exam to be considered into the top program.  If you want to see our recommendations, skip below for SSAT scores guidance and ignore the news that the top private school recently shared.

“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the school has decided to give: 

We appreciate that many applicants will complete some form of standardized testing and will want to include these results with their applications, which we will continue to welcome. In parallel, however, we are aware that the pandemic has made it significantly more challenging for many students to register and sit for administered tests. Some students may also face technology barriers to testing at home.

It is our belief that standardized testing is only one component of a student’s application. Assessing whether or not a young person will be a good fit with the Hotchkiss community relies on the broader context of each student’s academic and lived experience, and we do not want testing to be a barrier to entry for talented young people. Therefore, our application process will be test optional for the coming admission cycle.

Students are welcome to submit SSAT or ISEE, but they will not be required. Students who are unable to take the SSSAT or ISEE, or who choose not to submit their scores, will not be disadvantaged in the application process.“

Now, does that mean everyone should simply ignore the exam?

Read more

2020-21 SSAT (Exam) Dates

SSAT Test Dates: 2020 thru 2021

Paper-Based SSAT Test Dates

[Register for the SSAT Exam]

Frankly, this year is truly an enigma.  While the tests will be available, it is not like any other year.  Here’s what the “The Enrollment Management Association” says:

We will continue to offer the paper-based SSAT for Flex and Benchmark tests. Elementary testing and Middle and Upper testing in select international markets will be supported by paper-based testing only for the 2020–2021 testing year. Those paper-based testing dates are below.

Latest SSAT Date(s):

Latest SSAT Test Date 2021

Past Dates

Unfortunately, given the unpredictability of Covid-19, we may not see what we’ve seen in the past like 2019-2020’s SSAT Test Dates.  Instead of 8 test dates creating more options, we only have 1 at this point.

With that said, there are MORE options in the format of testing — which could mean frankly, there is even more potential access to the exam.

[Register for the SSAT Exam]

SSAT at Home Testing 2020 Test Dates (previous posted dates):

November

Saturday, November 14, 2020 – not available
Saturday, November 21, 2020 – not available
Sunday, November 22, 2020 – not available
Saturday, November 28, 2020 – not available

December

Saturday, December 5, 2020 – not available
Sunday, December 6, 2020 – not available
Friday, December 11, 2020 – Special weekday availability during peak season.
Saturday, December 12, 2020 – not available
Sunday, December 13, 2020 – not available
Saturday, December 19, 2020 – not available
Sunday, December 20, 2020 – not available
Monday, December 21, 2020 – Special weekday availability during peak season.
Monday, December 28, 2020 – not available

SSAT at Home Testing 2021 Test Dates:

January

Saturday, January 2, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
Sunday, January 3, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
Friday, January 8, 2021 – Special weekday availability during peak season.
Saturday, January 9, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
Sunday, January 10, 2021 – This date is no longer available
Monday, January 11, 2021 – Special weekday availability during peak season.
Saturday, January 16, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
Saturday, January 23, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
Saturday, January 30, 2021 – AVAILABLE as of 11/11/2020 Check registration
SSAT at Home is available every Saturday, some Sundays
Testing occurs on test dates from 9am – 3pm EST
More dates will be posted through July 2021.
Dates and scheduling are available 90 days prior to test dates.

Tech and Room Requirements

You must complete the required system check on the same computer and in the same environment where you plan to take the test. If you do not have access to the computer or internet required to take the SSAT at Home, learn more about an Equitable Access Kit.  [Check Your System] & [Equity Access Kit Info]

Computer

Must be a Windows or Mac laptop or desktop computer. Chromebooks, tablets, cell phones, and other devices are not permitted. Must have only one monitor or screen with a minimum resolution of 1366 x 768. Some antivirus software can cause performance issues.

Camera

Must have an internal or external webcam. The camera must be able to be moved to show the proctor your testing environment. (If your webcam is a part of a laptop, you’ll be asked to move your laptop to show parts of the room.)

Speakers/Microphone

Headphones or AirPods are not allowed. Must have a speaker to hear the proctor. Must have a microphone to speak to the proctor. Microphones that are part of a headset are not allowed. If your hair covers your ears, during check-in and after breaks, the proctor may ask you to show that you are not using headphones or airpods.

Internet

Must have a reliable, consistent internet connection. Your internet should be at least fast enough to search the web or stream music. You may not use a VPN during testing. Some corporate, business, or school networks may have settings that prevent testing.

Workspace

Your computer mouse and keyboard must be on a table or desk. Your work surface and area surrounding your desk must be free of all items not approved for use during testing. You must be seated in a regular chair. You may not use a couch, bed, or be seated on the floor.

Room/Environment

You must use a room where you can be alone during testing. Your room may not have any posters or items visible that may benefit the test taker. Your room must be free from music, talking, or other noises. You must be dressed appropriately. Remember, your picture will be taken at the start of testing.

Parents Assistance

A parent/guardian is allowed to assist during the initial connection, room scan, and explanation of testing rules. Once these steps have been completed, the parent/guardian must exit the room as testing begins but needs to remain in an adjoining room.

Prohibited items

Cell phones are not allowed during testing. Food and snacks are not allowed during testing, except during scheduled breaks. Work surface must be clear of all items. Students may have two blank pieces of paper, a pencil, and a water bottle without a label.

And more information here.

ProMetric Test Centers for SSAT (2020 & Beyond)

Please check out the SSAT’s official page explaining how you can use a Prometric Test Center as your SSAT Testing Option.

[Find  a Prometric Center]

If you have difficulty finding an international Prometric center that is convenient, and paper-based testing is not available near you, please email info@ssat.org

  • Prometric testing is available in the US, Canada and most countries around the world.
  • Please note that Prometric testing is not available in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, and Myanmar.
  • For those locations without a nearby or convenient Prometric test center, paper-based administrations, which occur on 5 test dates, are offered where there is a demonstrated need. Click here to learn more about International paper-based testing and here to search and view the limited international locations for SSAT paper-based testing.

Also, if you want SSAT Test Update Alerts, click here.

College Decisions: Should I go to Tufts or UC Davis?

TLDR:

  • It depends on where you want to live AFTER college
  • Weigh the decision based on your potential major & what you’re trying to gain out of the 4 years
  • If rankings matter, it might be easy to choose — “might” being the key word

Where do you ultimately want to live?

I graduated from UPS.

You’re probably thinking at this point, “U. P. What the…?”

Or you’re potentially going to make a joke of it like the many who recognize the logistics company. I don’t mind. I’m used to it.

Despite it… Read more

Are there any Tulane graduates and/or professors who would be interested in speaking with me about the school?

Elaborating beyond the comment I added:

What I wrote:

I hope so. Great question, but I’m curious if they feel comfortable to answer here publicly. You may want to reach out to them directly though admitsee, the university’s website and alumni association.

(expounding)

I imagine you went to the University’s website, as I suggested, but as you know, it’s one big brochure that will most likely say Tulane is the best (or a version of it). That’s why you came here and tried out the question. This type of question is starting to grow on Quora and I hope you get even better answers.

However, in the meantime, I understand your needs. As a result, I shared one of the best resources I know to get direct feedback from current students. Read more

Phillips Boarding School Interview Questions

What interview questions do they ask you when applying to Phillips Academy Andover? Exeter?

After obtaining your top SSAT score with our help, you obviously need to hammer out all the other elements of your application to the top boarding schools.  One of the most nerve wracking exercises in the process can be the interview.  Since we help students get over the anxiety and prepare them effectively as a bonus to our services prepping them for the exam, we know many of the questions they will encounter.  So, we thought we would share a good number of them here.

And if you didn’t notice, we even include at the beginning what the folks at Andover say in a YouTube video.

Nevertheless, let’s address some of the questions prospective students are very interested in learning before they set their time with the admissions team:

What are the most asked interview questions in Phillips Andover or Exeter?

Read more

lawrenceville campus

What SSAT scores can get you into The Lawrenceville School?

In most of our estimates, we identify it’s very rare that the school itself tells us exactly what their SSAT requirements are.  However, for Lawrenceville, we have several estimates straight from the top boarding school’s website and recent past publications of the school.

Straight from their admissions pages, they answer the question: What is your SSAT score average? Read more