Can you fill out the SOA without the SSAT? We are applying to a number of schools that only have the SOA as an option, but they have also agreed to accept testing other than the SSAT. I’m hesitant to start making an account this early, but I’d love to see what the application looks like. Can anyone give me any insight?
Yes. You send SSATs to schools completely separate from the SOA
The application process is completely separate from SSAT testing. You can probably set up an account, but you won’t be able to access any of the essay questions for 2019-2020 at this point. I believe that most schools open the application after August 1st for the following school year. At that time you can fill out the student profile if you choose. However, you need to actually pay the application fee for at least one school before SAO is going to show you the essay questions. If schools have required supplements then you will not get access to those until after you pay the application fee for that school.
Its also important to note that it is difficult to make changes to the student profile once you have filled it out and submitted it to SAO. They send that profile as-is to the schools that you are applying to. Although it allows you to “edit” the student profile on SAO, they say that those edits do not get sent to the school. So if you fill out a profile in August and then have updates regarding EC’s, awards, etc, in January then you need to contact the AO at each school directly so they add it to the file.
I don’t know if that second paragraph made any sense, PM me if you have questions about it.
@dramakid2 - It made perfect sense and was very helpful. Thank you.