Year before matriculation:

Jan to May: Evaluate your personality, interests and skills. Take challenging courses.  Improve your reading and vocabulary skills. Improve your math skills. Participate in extracurricular activities and develop your social skills Consider what kinds of experiences you would like to have in the next few years, such as             (a)   being more independent and away from your family,             (b)   being exposed to students from different countries and cultures,             (c)   living on campus with fellow students for the next few years, etc. Start researching a wide-range of boarding schools and consider how well boarding school meets your personal and academic needs relative to local schooling opportunities. June:  If boarding school seems like a good option to consider, create a list of 10-20 boarding schools that seem like good choices to explore further. Within this list, you should categorize these schools.  Here at AKAD, we categorize the schools according to: Probable: Schools where you are very likely of getting accepted. Midlevel:  Schools where you have a moderate chance of acceptanc Reach:  Schools that will be competitive for you to get into. This is not always an easy exercise, particularly for families that have less time to spend researching schools, which is why here at AKAD we have experienced consultants who have experience matching students with boarding schools to assist you in this important decision. Request information from these schools: Ask schools for their brochures, videos, course books, and application materials. July to August: After learning more about each school, narrow down your list of schools according to the key criteria that are most important to you. September: Check with each school to see what standardized testing is required Register for standardized testing:             (a)    SSAT,             (b)    ISEE             (c)    TOEFL for international students Arrange for test preparation courses if necessary. Begin gathering teacher references. Create files to keep copies of applications and correspondence.  We will assist you in this. October: Take a campus tour if the situation permits. Interview at the schools of interest. Take the SSAT. Ask for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions applications. Begin working on admission application essays. November: Continue completing your school applications. Check to make which schools have application deadline before the end of the month. Take the SSAT if you still need to. Talk to private school friends when home on break. Keep your files organized and up to date. December:  Complete and submit your applications. January-February: Register and study for the SSAT (if you haven't taken it already). Send transcripts. Respond quickly to any requests from schools. March: School decisions arrive around March 15th. Carefully read your letters.  Choose whether or not you want to pursue any waitlist opportunities.  Revisit schools where you were accepted (if possible or as necessary); begin finalizing your school choice April-May Attend accepted student programs if possible.  Make a decision, most schools request your reply by April 15th. Send your tuition deposit. You will want to choose a spot even if you are pursuing a waitlist situation at another school. Respectfully decline offers from schools that you will not attend. Send thank you notes to individuals who contributed to your application.