The Standard Application Online
(SAO) Advantage
The Standard Application Online (SAO) simplifies and standardizes the process of applying to independent schools for students seeking to enter grades from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate.
Hundreds of Schools
Apply to hundreds of participating independent schools.
One Application
Don't repeat your applicant information and standard forms for every school on your list. With the SAO, you enter your information and complete standard forms just one time and use them to apply to multiple schools.
All-in-One Dashboard
Manage your deadlines and view your application progress in one convenient, easy-to-use dashboard.
Forms & Recommendations Made Easy
The SAO provides you with the most convenient, seamless way to manage your application progress. The SAO makes it easy to track the progress and submission of your forms to schools.
Watch an Introductory Video
Watch the full video: "Applying Made Easy"
Download a Tutorial
- Beat the Clock! Getting it all done in time
- Using the SAO from Start to Finish
- Creating Your Student Profile
- Designating SSAT Score Recipients
- Submitting Parent & Student Forms
- Submitting Multimedia Links
- Requesting a Teacher Recommendation
- Using the SAO for CBO Students and Families
Frequently-Asked Questions
How do I search for and add schools to my list?
To add a school to your dashboard, simply log in to your SSAT account (or sign up if you don’t yet have an account). Once you're logged in, click on “Apply to Schools” to search for the school using the session year for which you are applying. The results will show if the school you're looking for accepts the SAO, as well as specific information about the school, such as phone number, address, website, and the grades for which the school accepts the SAO. Select the grade to which you're applying and your residential preference to add the school to your dashboard.
You can also see the schools that accept the SAO by using our school search - use the “Accepts Standard Application Online” filter.
