Application Calendar

Published December 02, 2007
Applying to a private school is a process. Try to begin your private school search more than a year in advance of when you actually want to enroll.This will give you enough time to thoroughly research schools and arrive at well-informed decisions about where to apply.This also helps ensure that you have enough time to take care of all the details. Excluding the school visits you are looking at a project which will require more than 100 hours of your time.

 
If you're a little out-of-sync with the timeline below, not to worry! This is only a rough guideline. While application and testing deadlines are key dates you'll need to follow, families differ in how long they need to explore and evaluate schools.
If you are starting the process late in the game or need help with particular parts of the process, seek the professional advice of an educational consultant.

  Application Calendar

 
             Month                                    Activity
May
  • Begin with a self assessment.
    • List the academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities you seek.
    • List any academic or athletic goals you wish to achieve in high school.
  • Research a wide-range of private schools.
  • Review your initial list with your educational consultant.
June
  • Create a list of 10-20 private schools to explore further.
  • Divide this list into 3 groups of schools:
    • Schools where you know you can get accepted
    • Schools which are competitive
    • Schools which are very competitive and will be a reach for you
  • Request information from these schools.
July - August
  • Narrow down your list of schools considering
    • Day or boarding and the distance factor
    • How competitive the school is
    • Religion, sports, arts and special needs
  • Schedule visits and interviews for your short-list of schools
    • Wherever possible, visit schools. You need to see what it is really like.
    • Avoid peak travel times and busy times at the schools.
September - October
  • Begin school visits and interviews.
  • Check with schools to see what standardized testing is required.
  • Register for SSAT, ISEE and TOEFL if English is your second language.
  • Arrange for test preparation as necessary.
  • Begin gathering teacher references
November
  • Take standardized tests
  • Wrap-up school visits and interviews
  • Begin drafting essays
  • Begin your applications
  • Make sure teacher references have been submitted
December
  • Complete essays
  • Complete applications
  • Begin financial aid forms
  • Review each school's file for completeness
January - February
  • Complete financial aid forms
  • Submit school applications and financial aid forms.
  • Stick to the deadlines: mid-January to early February.
March
  • Wait for school decision letters
  • Revisit schools where you were accepted as necessary
  • Finalize your school choice
April
  • Notify schools of your decision
  • Send deposit check
 
Suggested Reading

Read Related Admissions Articles:

We cover every aspect of the admissions process so that you and your child know what to expect.

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  • How Do I Apply?
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  • They Didn't Accept My Child!
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  • What If I Miss The Deadlines?
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School Visits

After exploring schools on the web, you need to explore the ones which you are considering applying to in person.

  • 5 Common Admissions Interview Mistakes
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  • Your Admissions Profile
    The admissions process can seem confusing, even intimidating. In reality all the admissions staff want to do is to get to know you.
  • The Interview
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  • The Visit
    Visiting the schools on your short list is very important. You need to inspect the campus yourself.
  • What If You Cannot Visit The School?
    Distance and finances may preclude your actually visiting schools. But you have some other options.

Test Preparation

Standardized admissions tests require thorough preparation and practice. You will find test prep texts and other materials here.

  • Admissions Test Preparation: 2 Approaches
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  • COOP, HSPT and TACHS
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  • Do My SSAT or ISEE Scores Really Matter?
    SSAT and ISEE scores are one part of the total picture which most private school admissions staff review.
  • SSAT and ISSE
    Most private schools use standardized tests as part of their admissions process. The SSAT and ISEE are the common tests you will encounter at independent schools.
  • How To Read The Test Scores
    SSAT test scores can be mysterious to most parents. What do they mean? How does the admissions staff use them?
  • Preparing for Admissions Tests
    Don't leave admissions test preparation to the last minute. Adequate test preparation will give you the confidence to take the test and do as well as you can.
  • The Writing Sample
    At some point in the admissions' process, you are going to have to write an essay otherwise known as The Writing Sample.

Applications

The applications process consists of several parts.

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