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.
| May |
- Begin with a self assessment:
- Think about the academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities you seek
- Consider the enrichment you'd like to have in high school, e.g., greater academic options, new extra-curricular activities and more sports
- Start researching a wide-range of private schools.
- Review your initial list with your educational consultant.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| September - October |
- Begin visiting campuses and do your interviews
- Check with schools to see what standardized testing is required
- Register for SSAT, ISEE or other necessary testing such as TOEFL for international students
- Arrange for test preparation as necessary
- Begin gathering teacher references
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| November |
- Take standardized tests
- Wrap-up school visits and interviews
- Begin drafting essays
- Begin your applications
- Make sure teacher references have been submitted
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| December |
- Complete essays
- Complete applications
- Begin financial aid forms
- Review each school's file for completeness
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| January - February |
- Complete financial aid forms
- Submit school applications and financial aid forms. Deadlines: mid-January to early February.
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| March |
- Wait for school decision letters
- Revisit schools where you were accepted as necessary
- Finalize your school choice
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| April |
- Notify schools of your decision
- Send deposit check
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Suggested Reading
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Read Related Admissions Articles: |
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| We cover every aspect of the admissions process so that you and your child know what to expect. |
• How Do I Apply?
You can apply online or submit a paper application via snail mail.
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• They Didn't Accept My Child!
You thought everything was set. The test scores were excellent. She had glowing teacher recommendations. The visit and the interview went well. But the school didn't accept your child. What do you do now?
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• Waitlisted? What Next?
Being waitlisted is not the end of the world. More here.
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• What If I Miss The Deadlines?
Finding a school which will accept your child after the normal admissions deadline has passed is not easy. But it can be done.
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| Test Preparation |
| Standardized admissions tests require thorough preparation and practice. You will find test prep texts and other materials here. |
• COOP, HSPT and TACHS
You will encounter COOP, HSPT and TACHS if you are applying to some Roman Catholic high schools.
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• 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.
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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. |
• Getting To Know You
The admissions process can seem confusing, even intimidating. In reality all the admissions staff want to do is to get to know you.
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• The Interview
Part of the admissions requirements of almost every private school is the interview. While it sounds as though this is a one sided exercise, you should be interviewing the admissions personnel as well.
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• The Visit
Visiting the schools on your short list is very important. You need to inspect the campus yourself.
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