I'm late on this, but DS 15 took psat in Oct. He said it was easy.

I am familiar with SSAT a little. We were looking at boarding schools for DS 13 last year and they require SSAT (apparently they couldn't care less what ACT/SAT scores are!). The SSAT is offered 3 hrs away a couple times in fall/winter. I was going to schedule it but it was about $100 and when I asked DS if he was serious about applying, he couldn't give me a firm answer, so I bagged it. It turned out he chose to attend the boarding school 5 blocks from my house that doesn't require SSAT, but has its own entrance exam. It's going very well for him. Plus he received almost a full scholarship. He's excited that he'll take 4 college courses senior yr (it has a jr college too) and credits transferred and he played varsity soccer (while older brother didn't get as much playing time at the local HS).

For DS 11, I'm still considering SSAT so he has more options.

This sounds like a solid option with plenty of opportunities! Congratulations on his nearly full scholarship and especially the five block commute!

I wish I was five blocs away from any of he schools he is considering.
Another question is if he is really considering them. The other night in the car he mentioned something about his best buddy from an 8th grade making plans to shadow him at the school Ghost is now attending.Apparently the boy would like to transfer next year. I said that it would be a bummer if so and so decides to transfer and Ghost will no longer be there. And he goes - well, I am not really going to go to a boarding school - Me - so why are we even bothering to apply - He - well I am going to apply because I MIGHT go.
??????????????

Delbows-

It is about 5 blocks, but he does live there (no day school option). It is military prep. But with good grades, they earn lots of privileges, so I really see him more than my 15 yr old who lives at home.

Ania-

I feel like I did so much work looking into all these fancy boarding schools for DS 13 (scouring literature and websites, viewing DVDs, even touring one in Colorado). DS had trepidation about living so far away (many were east coast). However, I recently attended a college fair and a young ivy league school representative just Wow-ed me/my son with his ability to speak/answer questions--so articulate! He gave credit to St Paul's in MD? VA? I think there is a real value to the opportunities at fancy preps, but it would never fly with me being the biggest advocate--DS had to want it too.