When do most U.S. boarding school applications open and close?

Most boarding schools open applications in late summer or early fall, with deadlines in January. Interviews and testing usually happen several months earlier, so do not wait for portals to open before preparing. Families who begin in spring or early summer can complete diagnostics for SSAT or ISEE, draft essays at a comfortable pace, request recommendations with courtesy, and schedule school visits without calendar conflicts. If you are starting later, tighten the schedule and use weekend blocks for essays and interview practice. Set reminders for each school’s unique requirements to avoid omissions and keep a single checklist for each portal.