I apologize if this has already been addressed, but I was wondering if anybody had any pointers on applying to prep schools. I understand that you can apply directly through the website of each school, but was wondering if there is a single application I could fill out to send to all the schools. If this exists, is there any advantage of filling out each form one by one. I am applying to Exeter, Deerfield, Choate, Hotchkiss and Loomis. Thanks in advance.
Hi, sykper
So there is a common application called SAO, by ssat. But in you list only Loomis is applicable to SAO… If your list expands then maybe SAO will benefit you (one less application to fill right…)… You can go look at the school that accept SAO on the SSAT website.
Also, some of these schools have very similar essay choices. You can try to reuse some as base essays (make sure you still edit them slightly to be tailored to each school).
Gateway to Prep Schools is another common app and Choate, Deerfield, Hotchkiss and Loomis are all participating schools: https://www.gatewaytoprepschools.com/#bmb=1
@AppleNotFar
Doesn’t every school in Gateway prep have (mostly) different essay questions… I thought gateway is just a tool to send in different applications from one site… I (tell me if i am mistaken) think the OP was asking for someway that 1 application can be sent to different schools…
One advantage would be that the essays can be more tailored to each school…
If I remember correctly, even if you’re using a common essay, most of the schools also ask for “supplemental” essays - so those will be more tailored to each school.
Do the schools prefer their own applications over SAO or Gateway? Does it affect admissions chances?
They don’t care which form you use, and it will not affect your admissions chances. If they really cared, they would not allow the option.
Thanks to everyone that responded. I think I am going to apply through Gateway. Does anybody know what TABS is? I thought someone mentioned something like that to me, but I might be confusing things.
TABS stands for The Association of Boarding Schools… I didn’t rly use it but it seems like a informational website abt BS… Not a tool to submit applications…