Applying to Taft School: Admissions Guide for Asian American Families

The candidate essay provides the admissions committee with a direct sense of your voice. Use this to share unique interests and your approach to problem-solving, offering insight into how you will contribute to the Taft community.

The parent statement allows you to advocate for your child by highlighting their character and personal growth, providing the admissions committee with essential context on how your family’s values align with the Taft community.

The graded writing sample gives admissions an objective look at your academic writing, critical thinking, and structure in an actual classroom setting. It reveals your command of language and analytical skills beyond polished application essays.

Applicants for Grades 9–10 submit SSAT or ISEE scores, with no preference between the two. Grade 11 applicants may submit SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, while Grade 12 and postgraduate applicants submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores. Families should focus on test preparation that aligns with the student’s learning style, as Taft views these scores as just one part of a holistic profile.

Applicants must request and upload official academic transcripts covering the prior two academic years and the current fall term directly through the Gateway or SAO portal.

Taft explicitly requires three confidential recommendations: your child’s current math teacher, current English teacher, and the school principal or counselor. Request and submit these through Gateway or SAO by entering their contact details; the portal emails evaluation forms directly to educators and updates your dashboard upon completion.

The interview is a vital opportunity for the admissions committee to understand the student’s unique personality and interests, ensuring your family’s values align with the Taft community.

The Character Skills Snapshot is a tool used to understand the ‘whole child,’ measuring intangibles like resilience, initiative, and social awareness that don’t appear in grades. This online assessment also measures intellectual curiosity, teamwork, responsibility, and open-mindedness. Taft recommends completing it by January 15; please refer to the official testing portal for current fee information.

If your child has significant achievements in the arts, athletics, or other specialized areas, an optional portfolio allows them to showcase their talents beyond the standard application. This is an excellent way to provide context for high-level creative work or athletic accomplishments that define your child’s extracurricular engagement.

International applicants whose primary language is not English are strongly encouraged to take the TOEFL (internet-based score of 105+), IELTS (7.5+), or Duolingo English Test (140+), in addition to standard admissions testing.