EMA has championed transformational education journeys since first administering the SSAT in 1957.

EMA was founded as the Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB) by a consortium of ten private schools, including Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and The Lawrenceville School.

Working together, admission directors from these ten schools transformed the private school application process by developing the first standardized admission assessment for secondary schools, the SSAT.

Today, EMA is a nonprofit organization working closely with a vast network of member private schools worldwide and over 80,000 applying families annually with our industry-leading admission services.

Admission directors from EMA member schools and EMA team members posing and acting goofy at the annual conference.

EMA's annual conference for member schools is the industry's largest gathering of enrollment professionals, with over a 1,000 attendees. Admission leaders from private schools worldwide attend for professional development on enrollment best practices and improving the applicant experience.

Admission Services

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Admission.org.
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As the home of EMA's family services, Admission.org is packed with advice articles, events, featured schools, and the services listed below to help your family throughout the private school application process.

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The premier common application for applying to K–12 private schools simplifies the process and saves families time.

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An innovative measure of student preferences, attitudes, and beliefs to help admission teams get to know who your child is.

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Search top private schools by your desired locations, school types, and program preferences.

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Receive timely email reminders and advice throughout the application process with this free admission newsletter.

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Hear from outstanding schools seeking students that match your location, school type, and program preferences.

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Gain essential insight into the private school application process with advice from admission directors and industry experts.

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Help open doors to education!

EMA assists thousands of students annually through our fee waiver program; please help support deserving students on their enrollment journeys.