Standard Application Online (SAO)

Learn all you need to know about the Standard Application Online. Articles will cover frequently asked family questions, payment and submissions, recommendation and transcripts, and more.

Basics

Student Account/Dashboard

Recommendations and Transcript Forms

Payment and Submission

Working with Advisors

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How do I know if a school accepts the SAO?

To find out whether a school participates in the SAO, use the school search.

When does the school receive an application through the SAO?

As soon as you complete your profile and pay for an application, a school will receive it.

What are the system requirements to use the SAO?

Check here for the following systems and browsers compatibility.

Can I use the SAO to apply for multiple years?

Yes, you can apply for multiple session years with the SAO.

What if a school that I am applying to doesn't accept the SAO, while others do?

In that case, you must submit a traditional application to that school.

What are Standard Application Online common forms?

The Standard Application Online contains a wide library of online common forms used by schools accepting the SAO to fulfill their school-specific requirements.

What is an SAO School Supplement form?

Some schools that accept the SAO require an additional form completed. That is a school supplement.

How can I change my grade or the residential status I selected on a school application?

You can change your grade and residential status on all unpaid applications by following these steps.

How do I use my dashboard to track the status of my application components?

You can track the overall completion of a school application via the completion meter placed on the top right of a school application card.

How do I complete applications for multiple children?

Parents can complete and track applications for multiple children associated with their parent account.

My account indicates that my SAO application is complete, but the school is telling me their portal does not show the completed status. What am I missing?

The SAO delivers applications and related components to school/s in real time.

What is the Interests and Activities section on the SAO?

Many schools like to know more about the student and their interests.

What can I upload and/or showcase as part of my multimedia tab on the Student Profile?

The multimedia links tab is an optional tab on the Student Profile that can be used to provide links to media.

The person or recommender I listed did not receive a link to provide the recommendations. What should I do?

Confirm that the email address you entered for your recommender is correct.

I assigned my recommendation form incorrectly. How can I undo it?

If the recommendation form has not been submitted by the initial recommender, simply resend the recommendation by replacing the former recommender information.

How do I follow up on teacher recommendations or change a recommender?

If the recommendation form has not been submitted by the initial recommender, simply resend the recommendation.

How does a teacher submit a recommendation outside of the SAO system?

Please have them send those to the school/s directly.

How do I request transcripts and school reports via the SAO system?

You must request and have your school administrators fulfill these requirements.

For the SAO, what happens if my report cards don't come in before my school's application deadline?

Schools prefer to see the most updated official reports and transcripts for the current year.

Can I edit a form for the SAO after submission?

No.

Who can I designate as an advisor for my SAO?

You can choose a school or educational consultant that is a member of EMA, the providers of the SAO, to be your SAO Advisor.

What is the role of an advisor for my SAO application?

They will help with the overall application process.

Can I change my SAO advisor?

Yes.

Can I edit my Student Profile after submitting an application to a school?

Yes, however, please note that any changes made after a profile is submitted to a school will not be delivered to that school.

What is an SAO Fee Waiver? How do I get one?

An SAO Fee Waiver waives the application fee to the specific school that issued it to you.

What is the $10 administrative fee per application for the SAO?

The administrative fee is a nominal fee charged for online processing of the SAO.

If I have SAO components pending at the deadline, will the school still consider my application?

As a best practice, we highly recommend that you track the completion of your SAO and components against the school application deadline.

How do I pay for and submit my applications?

A SAO can be submitted to a school simply by completing your student profile and submitting the application fee for that school.

How do I send updates to my Student Profile after submission of an SAO application?

Please send any critical updates to the school directly.

What happens if my profile is incomplete for the SAO?

If your profile is incomplete, you will not be able to submit or pay for your application/s.

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