HOW TO APPLY

Once you’ve narrowed your school choices to a handful of options, it’s time to begin the application process. Some families prefer to visit a number of schools before applying while others apply first and then schedule visits. It’s entirely up to your family but visiting a number of schools is the best way to learn the feel of each campus and realize which school is the best fit for you. Learn more about the importance of Campus Visits! 

The Application process typically has 3 steps:

1)  Complete Applications and send to your desired schools
2)  Take the required Entrance Exams
3)  Complete Financial Aid or Scholarship Applications

Complete Applications and Send To Schools

The first step is contacting a school’s Admissions Office directly and asking them for their application requirements and deadlines. Some schools have their own application to complete in addition to one of the Applications mentioned below - SAO or Gateway To Prep. As for deadlines, many schools have a fixed admission calendar with set dates for applying and admission notification while other schools offer rolling admission (which means they will accept applications on a space available basis throughout the year or after published application deadlines). 

Boarding Schools Usually Accept One or More of the Following Applications:

The Standard Application Online (SAO)
Gateway To Prep 

Visit their online school profile or call the school to determine which they use. You can also view a list of all TABS member schools with notations by school names indicating applications used.

*TABS is phasing out the TABS Application in favor of the more user-friendly online apps - the SAO and Gateway to Prep. 

Take the Required Entrance Exams

Ask each school about the required tests for student applications. Arrange to take the required
tests, which generally include one or more of the following:

SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) - call (609) 683-4440

ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) - call (800) 989-3721

For International Students:

English language requirements will vary by school. Please visit each schools website for the most update information.  Possible English Language proficency exams may include:

TOEFL Junior (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - call (609) 951-1100

Duolingo English Test

iTEP SLATE (Secondary Leveal Assessment Test of English)

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Complete Financial Aid or Scholarship Applications

Complete any aid or scholarship applications you want to submit. See our financial aid section
for more information. 

Helpful Tips:

•  Has your preferred school’s admission deadline passed? Check out AdmissionQuest’s 
free eBook: Applying to Private Schools After the Deadline.

•  Make photocopies of all the completed forms for your files.

•  Provide your teachers with the Recommendation Forms with addressed and stamped
envelopes for each school to which you are applying. Let teachers know the dates by which
these forms are due in the admission offices. (It's a nice gesture to send your teachers a
thank-you note for doing this).

Use our handy checklist to stay on track!