Apply to Taft

Taft is all about building relationships, and ours begins when you reach out and let us know that you’d like to get to know us better. Completing our Inquiry form does that. All prospective students must complete one. It puts you on our radar, and allows us to communicate with you. It also establishes your Taft Admissions Account, which you will use throughout the application process.

Complete our Inquiry form to set up a Taft Admissions Portal*

Access your Taft Admissions Portal to track your application status

*By submitting this inquiry form, you certify that you are age 13 or over.  Students must turn 14 during their 9th grade year at Taft.

Taft prefers to accept students entering the 9th, 10th or 11th grades. There are times when it is appropriate to enter as a post-graduate (PG) as well.

You need to create an account with The Enrollment Management Association; this is independent of your Taft Admissions Account, set up in Step 1, though you can access both through the Portal Access page. Make a note of your username and password and bookmark the log-in page—you are sure to visit often, here’s why:

The Enrollment Management Association manages the Standard Application Online (SAO)— one of two ways you can apply to Taft (Gateway to Prep being the other)—and they also administer the SSAT, a standardized aptitude test that Taft requires of all 9th and 10th grade applicants (11th grade applicants may either submit scores from the SSAT, or the PSAT, SAT, or ACT). The Enrollment Management Association website is also a good resource for information about applying to independent schools.

You should plan to take the SSAT on October 12, November 9, December 7, or January 4. Last year, the median score for admitted students was the 87th percentile. We will also accept ISEE scores as an alternative to the SSAT. If the SSAT test fee is beyond your family's resources, please complete the SSAT Testing Fee Waiver Request Form found here. Please read this SSAT fee waiver information first.

SSAT code: 7600

• Create an account
• Access your account
• Sign up to take the SSAT

Note:

If you’re applying as an 11th, 12th, or postgraduate candidate, you must submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores. 11th grade applicants may either submit scores from the SSAT, or the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

Taft highly recommends that applicants whose primary language is not English take the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test. We look for an internet-based score of 105 or higher on the TOEFL, a minimum score of 7.5 on the IELTS, and a minimum score of 140 on the Duolingo.

TOEFL code: 3834

Application Deadline: January 15

SSAT Dates

The paper-based test dates are:

• October 12, 2024 (register by September 21)
• November 9, 2024 (register by October 19)
• December 7, 2024 (register by November 16)
• January 4, 2025 (register by December 14)

More information on paper based tests can be found at https://www.ssat.org/testing/paper/standard.

The SSAT is also available online, from the comfort of your home. More information about taking the test at home can be found here: https://www.ssat.org/testing/home/overview

Recommended: The Character Skills Snapshot

Character and personal growth are an integral part of a Taft education. Grades and test scores just don’t tell us the whole story of your child. The Character Skills Snapshot gives us richer holistic information and illuminates areas where Taft can help your child grow and thrive. We recommend (but do not require) that Taft applicants take The Character Skills Snapshot. For students who take the SSAT, there is no charge to take The Snapshot. Once you register for an SSAT, you will have access to The Snapshot. More information is available on the Enrollment Management Association website at https://ssat.org/snapshot

Summer appointments will be available from June 23 to August 14, each led by a current Taft student and lasting approximately 45 minutes. A member of the Admission team will be available to answer any questions about the application process. For students applying for fall 2026, interviews can also be scheduled during this time.

You should schedule your interview only after you have completed our Inquiry form.

Learn more

Taft requires that all students apply using either the Standard Application Online (SAO), managed by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), or using the Gateway to Prep Schools application. Both applications incorporate biographical data and essay questions. For details about completing either application, visit either the SAO or The Gateway website. Please note that Taft has no preference for one application or the other; the choice is entirely yours. If the application fee is beyond your family's resources, please complete the Application Fee Waiver Request Form found here.

We are very proud to support 34% of our students though our $10.5 million financial aid budget, and are committed to working very hard with every family to try to make a Taft education possible. All awards are based on demonstrated need and the availability of funds in our current-year budget; awards at Taft are not based on merit.

Full instructions and information on applying for financial aid.

Make a Note:

Application Deadline: January 15
Financial Aid Application Deadline: February 1
Last day to Submit Tax Returns: March 1

After November 15, use the SAO or Gateway to give your principal or guidance counselor and your English and math teachers online access to your recommendation forms. Your teachers should submit their recommendations to Taft by January 15.

We are happy to review art or other portfolios should you choose to submit them. Portfolio submissions are optional. Our applications feature fields to include links to YouTube, Vimeo, or other web-based presentations of your work or talents.

Track your progress using your Admissions Portal to ensure that Taft has received all of your application materials and fees by the January 15 deadline.

Access your Taft Admissions Account to track your application status.

Taft emails admissions decisions on March 10. The enrollment deadline for admitted students is April 10.