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. If you are under the age of 13, please have a parent or guardian complete this form and submit it on your behalf.

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 plays a big role in our application process. Not only do they manage the Standard Application Online (SAO)— the only way you can apply to Taft—but they also administer the SSAT, a standardized aptitude test that Taft (and most independent schools) requires all applicants to sit for. *** Note that for those applying for the 2021-22 academic year, the SSAT is now optional. Applicants choosing not to take the SSAT must submit a graded essay in lieu of SSAT scores.  Read more here.***  The Enrollment Management Association website is also a good resource for information about applying to independent schools.

If you choose to take the SSAT, you should plan to take the SSAT in October, November, December, or January. Last year, the median score for admitted students was the 83^rd percentile.

SSAT code: 7600

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

Make a Note:

If you’re applying as a postgraduate candidate, you must take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

If English is not your first language, we strongly encourage you take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

TOEFL code: 3834

Application Deadline: January 15

SSAT Dates

The SSAT is available online this year. More information about taking the test at home can be found here: https://www.ssat.org/testing/home/overview

Students are able to sit for a paper based test. Those test dates are:

• October 31, 2020
• November 21, 2020
• December 19, 2020

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

Again, please note that for those applying for the 2021-22 academic year, the SSAT is now optional. Applicants choosing not to take the SSAT must submit a graded essay in lieu of SSAT scores.  Read more here.

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

To help keep our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will only be offering virtual tours and Zoom interviews this year. We are so sorry that we cannot visit with you in person and that you won’t be able to experience the beauty of our campus and energy of our community firsthand. 

Applicants for the 2021-22 academic year may schedule a Zoom interview by calling the Admissions Office at 860-945-7700 or by emailing admissions@taftschool.org.

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

Learn more.

Taft requires that all students apply using the Standard Application Online (SAO), managed by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA). The application incorporates biographical data, essay questions, and a parent statement. The EMA website contains detailed instructions for completing the application, as well as schedules and tutorials.

Learn more about the Standard Application Online

 

We are very proud to support 35% of our students though our $9 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 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. In the Standard Application Online, there is a handy place 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 mails and emails admissions decisions on March 10. The enrollment deadline is April 10.