<p>Okay so today I went onto Hotchkiss and Deerfield's websites to access their applications (!) and both directed me to a site called gatewaytoprepschools.com. I was just wondering if this the only way to obtain their applications and if anyone is familiar with it</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>This year, deerfield, hotchkiss, SPS, Andover, and Groton started this gateway to prep school thing. It lets you submit the candidate profile, essays, and recommendations through it. They let you download the recommendation forms and print them out. Some of the schools only want you to submit the forms online who gateway and some of them allow you to print out forms.</p>
<p>Edit: I pressed enter by accident. Typing next post now.</p>
<p>This is what Hotchkiss says:</p>
<p>We strongly encourage all applicants to apply online via the Gateway to Prep Schools. If you have already completed your application online, download the School Report and Recommendation Forms.</p>
<p>Otherwise, for your convenience, a PDF version of our complete application is available below. All necessary forms and instructions are included, except for envelopes. If you ask individuals to return these forms to you for submission with your application, the forms must be sent in envelopes that have been sealed and signed by the recommender.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.hotchkiss.org/documents/HotchkissAppEntry2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.hotchkiss.org/documents/HotchkissAppEntry2011.pdf</a></p>
<p>This is what deerfield says: </p>
<p>Part I (the Candidate Profile) and Part II (Short Answers and Essays) may be completed online and submitted electronically through the Gateway to Prep Schools. Visit the Gateway to Prep School’s website to complete Parts I and II of our application online.</p>
<p>Part III materials must be downloaded here and returned via postal mail by January 15th.</p>
<p>If you prefer to complete your application on paper, you may download our application forms as PDF files.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.deerfield.edu/apply/resources/DA-CompleteApplicationForms.pdf[/url]”>http://www.deerfield.edu/apply/resources/DA-CompleteApplicationForms.pdf</a></p>
<p>Post any questions you have. I already submitted my candidate profile and can help you if needed. It is pretty user friendly.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for responding 2010! So after you enter all of the information online and press submit, does it directly go to the schools that you selected?Also, how does that whole online signature thing work?
And just out of curiosity, what schools are you applying to? : )</p>
<p>While we’re at it, can someone decipher that disclosure above the signature line…how can information provided by the applicant/family be confidential from the applicant/family?</p>
<p>Once you hit submit it goes to the schools you added to your school list but they can’t see it until you pay the application fee. The online signature is just where you agree that the information you present is factual. Your parents have to agree also.</p>
<p>I am applying to Andover, Berkshire, Brooks, Choate, Exeter, Kent, Hotchkiss, SMS, SPS, Taft</p>
<p>7Dad, that refers to the recommendations. Unlike college recs or job recs, applicants are not supposed to see the recommendations that the teachers write. That is why they ask that they person writing the rec sign across the seal of the envelope.</p>
<p>@neato: That makes sense…I’m no lawyer but that blurb is worded vaguely/awkwardly. </p>
<p>IIRC, it says “the information furnished”…which in my head includes the stuff we had input. I was wondering what I was signing up for?!?</p>
<p>@sevendad: It was badly worded. It said like all pieces are to be confidential to the candidate/family but I think the confidential part was just referring to the recommedations.</p>
<p>Edit: didn’t see the two posts above me when I posted.</p>
<p>2010-
I noticed that at the tab at the top of the page, it says “essays”. (If you have started the essays) Do you know if the different schools will still have their different essays or will they all be doing the same topics?</p>
<p>They all have different essays.</p>
<p>ok Thank you for verifying.</p>
<p>does anyone know if you use only the 3 gateway reccomondations or if you have to use the schools recs and gatesways recs? how many recs do you need to submit and do you only have to use gateways common rec or if you have to use gateways common recs and the schools? im kind of confused with the new applciations?</p>
<p>I really just don’t understand WHY the top tier schools can’t just all use a common application with a supplement to individualize the essays??? My daughter just advised me that she is currrently negotiating the SSAT Standard Application Online site for two schools, Gateway to Prep Schools for another and GO CHOATE, obviously for Choate. All request bascially the same information in different formats. She just forgot one of her passwords and is pulling her hair out!</p>
<p>I know. It is annoying, especially since the essay questions are similar. At least there is one place to type in all the demographic info at the gateway site.</p>
<p>Maybe they don’t want to make it too easy. I mean, a student won’t do the app unless he’s serious about the school. Maybe it’s an initial filter of sorts? Just a thought…</p>
<p>You should see my desk. I have usernames and passwords for like 20 different websites and have like 10 checklists for all of the schools I am applying to. I also have another area in my room devoted to all of the applications and envelopes. There is also a GIGANTIC pile of papers and viewbooks from like 20 schools on my floor. My room is a mess!!</p>
<p>Edit: Forgot to mention my stack of PSAT and SSAT prep books and millions of flashcards. (That I have yet to look at… PSAT is in 2 weeks!!!) I also have a white board with a ton of deadlines and important dates (open houses, interviews, Test dates)</p>
<p>And the fun is only beginning. :D</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why don’t they ask us to suvive the survivor show and then apply? :D</p>
<p>My D appears to be using different colored folders for each school. She is utilizing the front cover of each folder to record her contact at each school, interview dates and each completed item. She is now adding her passwords for each site to the front of the folder at my suggestion. I am impressed with her organization but just wish I could help a little here. She has described the process so far as “manageable but ridiculously duplicative”.</p>
<p>Hmmmm. That is actually a much better idea than just having everything all in one place. I’m stealing that idea. haha</p>