Advice

Explore tips and resources for every step in the K–12 private school admission process.

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#admissionchat graphic with pictures of Randie Benedict and Kitsana Salyphone.

Let's Talk About Admission Decisions

Randie Benedict from St. Anne's-Belfield School fields questions on everything from waitlists to financial aid appeals from parents mulling admission decisions.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A podcast header graphic with a photo of Cammie Bertram.

Let’s Talk About Getting Waitlisted

Educational consultant Cammie Bertram joins the podcast to discuss the various waitlist scenarios families may encounter when applying to private schools.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A private school teacher assists a student in a computer lab.

Private vs. Independent Schools: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between independent and private schools? Here's what you should know before embarking on the application process.

A prospective high school student waiving to the camera in a virtual private school interview.

How to Stand Out in Virtual Private School Interviews

These seven tips from Admission.org will help your child leave a lasting impression in virtual interviews with the most competitive private schools.

Interviewing (Page Advice)
A busy parent with to-do Post-It note reminders on her car's steering wheel.

How much time can I save with the SAO?

How much time can your family save applying to private schools with the Standard Application Online (SAO)? Learn how you can save 14 hours or more with the SAO.

SAO (Page Advice)
A girl with her notebook standing outside of a private school wondering if she will get accepted.

Is it hard to get into private school?

It's a question without a one-size-fits-all answer. Let's take a look at the factors families should consider to bring clarity to the question about getting in.

A father and son unloading the car as they move into a boarding school dorm.

How to Prepare Your Child for Boarding School

How can you get your child ready for boarding school? Here are some things you can start doing well before you load up the car and say your goodbyes.

New private school parents meeting at an open house.

Parents and Private Schools: How to Build a Strong Partnership

You've probably talked to your child about attending a new private school, but you're also joining a new community—here's how to make the most of it!

An eight-grade student studying for the SSAT.

5 Stress-Reducing Tips for Feeling Good About the SSAT

Did you know that standardized test stress can impact performance? Learn how to help your child stay in the right frame of mind for the SSAT.

A family posing for a group photo at a private school orientation.

What to Expect After Accepting Private School Admission

Unsure what happens after accepting private school admissions? Here's what to expect for a smooth transition into your child's new school.

#admissionchat episode eight with Keri Allard, Madison Country Day School, and John Barrengos, The Putney School

Let’s Talk About Rolling Admissions

Learn about the different ways that private schools utilize rolling admissions, what it means for families, and what to plan for in this #admissionchat episode.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A male student takes the paper-based SSAT for a second time to improve his score.

How to Get Your Best Score on the SSAT

Learn the best strategies for improving SSAT test scores on the Middle and Upper Level versions with advice from the organization that created the SSAT.

Dr. Aviva Legatt, author of "Get Real and Get In: How to Get Into the College of Your Dreams by Being Your Authentic Self."

Let’s Talk About College Planning

Listen to our discussion with Dr. Aviva Legatt, author of "Get Real and Get In: How to Get Into the College of Your Dreams by Being Your Authentic Self."

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A student on a laptop working on her private school application essay.

Encouraging Your Child to Write a Self-Revealing Application Essay

Learn how to encourage your child to think retrospectively and write a self-revealing private school application essay that shows their unique qualities.

A parent filling our a private school application online with her daughter looking over her shoulder.

11 Parent Statement Tips for Private School Applications

How do you provide insight on application forms that help schools see your child’s unique qualities? These tips will help you cut through the clutter.

A female student taking the SSAT.

Guessing on the SSAT: Good or Bad?

Is it good to guess answers on the SSAT? These pointers from the creator of the SSAT will help you better understand when guessing can help or hurt SSAT scores.

High school students volunteering for community service.

How to Stand Out With the Character Skills Snapshot

Learn how the Character Skills Snapshot helps your child's uniqueness stand out in the private school admission process.

Snapshot (Page Advice)
A family checking the status of their SAO application online.

Apply Smarter (Not Harder) With the SAO

Watch this recorded presentation to learn how to save time by submitting a single admission application to over 400 private schools.

SAO (Page Advice)
A close-up image of a student filling in answers on the SSAT paper test.

Which SSAT Testing Method Should Your Child Take?

With three SSAT testing methods to choose from—paper, Prometric, and at-home—how do you know which one is right for your child? Let’s take a closer look.

Students studying in a boarding school common area.

5 Ways Parents Can Navigate the Boarding School Boom

After an initial period of uncertainty due to the pandemic, interest in boarding schools is booming. Learn how parents can navigate this new landscape.

Students taking the paper SSAT in an exam classroom.

Understanding the SSAT: Test Options and Preparation Strategy

Learn which middle- and upper-level SSAT testing option—paper, Prometric, and at-home—is best for your child, along with best-practice preparation strategies.

#admissionchat episode 6 featuring Jeanne Crowell from Princeton Day School and Sunaina Khanna from The Enrollment Management Association

Let’s Talk About the Standard Application Online (SAO)

Hear Jeanne Crowell from Princeton Day School and Sunaina Khanna from The Enrollment Management Association discuss applying to private schools with the SAO.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A prospective student getting introduced to a teacher during a private school open house visit.

Private School Open House: What To Know Before You Go

Unsure about attending a private school open house? Here’s everything you need to know from what to wear to making a good impression with the admissions team.

A female student confidently answering a question in her private school interview.

Practice Questions to Feel Good About Private School Interviews

Practice makes perfect, and these private school interview questions will help you gain confidence and discover how to tell your unique story.

Interviewing (Page Advice)
A male high school student laughing at a teacher's joke.

The Hidden Benefits of The Character Skills Snapshot

Should your child take the Snapshot? Learn how this character assessment is much more than a private school admission tool.

Snapshot (Page Advice)
A prospective high school student confidently answering a private school interview question.

How to Make a Great Impression in Private School Interviews

It's true that there's only one chance to make a great first impression. These tips will help prepare students to shine in private school admission interviews.

Interviewing (Page Advice)
A private school student on her first day of school.

Finding the Right School Starts with the Right Mindset!

If you're starting a private school search, let's take a look at how the right mindset can alleviate anxiety and provide a more rewarding search process.

A student writing his admission essay for a private high school.

How to Write an Awesome Private School Admission Essay

Private school admission officers read hundreds of application essays. Here's how your child's essay can stand out from the crowd.

SAO (Page Advice)
A teacher reading the recommendation letter she wrote for a student before sending it out.

Recommendation Letters: Who Should You Ask — And How?

Having trouble determining who to ask for private school admission recommendation letters — and how to go about asking them? We've got you covered!

SAO (Page Advice)
#admissionchat episode five with Victoria Muradi, Christine Thornton, Jeanette WooChitjian discussing the Character Skills Snapshot.

Let's Talk About the Character Skills Snapshot

Listen to admissions leaders discuss how their schools utilize the Character Skills Snapshot and why it's a good idea for applying students to take it.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A teenager reading in the park to stay sharp and prevent summer learning loss.

5 Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Research shows that K–12 students quickly encounter summer learning loss. Help your child prevent the summer slide with tips from a private school educator.

Private school students sitting and talking on their first day of school.

Private School Life: Getting Ready to Join a New School

It's natural to feel nervous about joining a new private school community, but there are things you can do to feel more comfortable on the big first day.

A group of students laughing and working together on a school project.

Preparing for the Character Skills Snapshot: What Every Family Needs to Know

Your child is taking the Character Skills Snapshot, and you're wondering: How can they prepare? The short answer is that they don't, but there's more to know.

Snapshot (Page Advice)
Kila McCann from The Bolles School and Lisa Pelrine from Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall.

Let's Talk About Interviewing

Admissions leaders from Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall and The Bolles School join #admissionchat to discuss what they're looking for in private school interviews.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
Parents interviewing with a private school admissions officer.

29 Parent Interview Questions to Better Evaluate Private Schools

These private school interview tips for parents and questions to ask will help you better evaluate which schools are a fit for your child.

Interviewing (Page Advice)
Joshua Clark, TASIS The American School in England

Let's Talk About American and International Schools

Joshua Clark from TASIS England joins #admissionchat to discuss the differences between and the benefits of American and international schools.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A boy in a COVID-19 mask is getting his temperature checked before entering his private school.

COVID-19 Continues to Impact Private School Applications

Private school applications submitted in September–January for 2021–2022 schooling are down with increases to specific grades. See what it means for families.

An eighth grade girl writes her first-choice letter to her preferred private school.

First-Choice Letters: Do they Help or Hurt Admission?

What are first-choice letters? Do they improve your child's chances of getting into private school? Learn what a longtime admission director has to say.

SAO (Page Advice)
A banner image for #admissionchat featuring Dr. James Greenwood from Western Reserve Academy.

Let’s Talk About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dr. James Greenwood from Western Reserve Academy is featured on #admissionchat discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion in private schools.

#admissionchat (Page Advice)
The #admissionchat banner graphic featuring a picture of Kristen Carey Power.

Let’s Talk About Financial Aid

Kristen Carey Power from EMA joins #admissionchat to discuss common questions families have about the private school financial aid process.

Financial Aid (Presentations)
#admissionchat (Page Advice)
A mother and daughter nervously learning that they have been waitlisted at their top-choice private school.

Waitlisted for Private School: What You Should Know

What does it really mean when your child is waitlisted at their top-choice private school? What are your options? How long will you wait? Learn more here!

A family applying online to a private school with rolling admissions.

Rolling Admissions at Private Schools: What You Need to Know

Before applying to private schools with rolling admissions, there are some things you need to know about space availability, deadlines, and financial aid.

Two girls making new friends on a private school revisit day.

How to Make the Most of Private School Revisit Days

Before deciding upon a private school, it's a great idea to attend their admission revisit days. Here's how to gain new insight through these events.

Girls skipping on their way to private school.

Finding the Best Private School for Your Child

Day or boarding school? Parochial or secular? Single-sex or coed? Unsure of the best private school for your child? Here's how to narrow the choices.

Three parents talking about a private school after an admissions visit.

Considering Private School? 10 Questions To Ask Current Parents

With so many things to consider when choosing a private school, it can feel overwhelming. Talking to parents will get answers and help put your mind at ease.

Students participating in a private school admissions group interview.

Understanding Private School Application Requirements

Private school applications may seem confusing at first, but there are common requirements that you can prepare in advance to save time. Let us show you.

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Nov 4, 2020
A high school student on a computer preparing to take a standardized private school admission test.

10 Standardized Test Tips for Private School Admission

Learn how to prepare for taking standardized private school admission tests such as the SSAT from your friends at Admission.org.

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Nov 3, 2020
Students in a private school classroom.

5 Private School Fair Tips for Families

Learn how to benefit from private school fairs by asking the right questions and pinpointing the comparison points that matter most to your family.

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