May |
- Begin with a self assessment.
- List the academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities you seek.
- List any academic or athletic goals you wish to achieve in high school.
- Research a wide-range of private schools.
- Review your initial list with your educational consultant.
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June |
- Create a list of 10-20 private schools to explore further.
- Divide this list into 3 groups of schools:
- Schools where you know you can get accepted
- Schools which are competitive
- Schools which are very competitive and will be a reach for you
- Request information from these schools.
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July - August |
- Narrow down your list of schools considering
- Day or boarding and the distance factor
- How competitive the school is
- Religion, sports, arts and special needs
- Schedule visits and interviews for your short-list of schools
- Wherever possible, visit schools. You need to see what it is really like.
- Avoid peak travel times and busy times at the schools.
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September - October |
- Begin school visits and interviews.
- Check with schools to see what standardized testing is required.
- Register for SSAT, ISEE and TOEFL if English is your second language.
- Arrange for test preparation as necessary.
- Begin gathering teacher references
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November |
- Take standardized tests
- Wrap-up school visits and interviews
- Begin drafting essays
- Begin your applications
- Make sure teacher references have been submitted
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December |
- Complete essays
- Complete applications
- Begin financial aid forms
- Review each school's file for completeness
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January - February |
- Complete financial aid forms
- Submit school applications and financial aid forms.
- Stick to the deadlines: mid-January to early February.
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March |
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April |
- Notify schools of your decision
- Send deposit check
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