US boarding school admissions
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-03
Most selective US boarding schools follow a similar calendar: applications in January or early February, decisions on or around 10 March. Testing has returned at many schools after test-optional years.
Deadlines and decisions
Phillips Exeter Academy's application deadline is 15 January and decisions are released on 10 March. Phillips Academy Andover's deadline is 1 February 2027, with decisions on 10 March 2027. Many other boarding schools use similar dates; check each school.
Testing
Exeter requires the Upper Level SSAT or ISEE for Grade 9 applicants; Grade 10 and 11 applicants can submit one of the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, PreACT or ACT, from a test taken within a year of the deadline. Andover asks for SSAT or ISEE scores. International applicants may also need an English proficiency test; check each school's rules.
A timeline
- โ Spring and summer: research schools and visit or attend virtual events
- โ Early fall: register for the SSAT or ISEE and request interviews
- โ October to December: test, interview and draft essays
- โ January to early February: submit applications and recommendations
- โ Around 10 March: decisions; reply by the date each school sets
FAQs
When do boarding school decisions come out?๏ผ
Many selective schools release decisions on or around 10 March, including Exeter and Andover.
Do boarding schools require the SSAT?๏ผ
Many do again. Exeter requires the SSAT or ISEE for Grade 9; Andover asks for SSAT or ISEE scores.
When should we start?๏ผ
Research in the spring and register for testing in the early fall of the year before entry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-03.
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