Admissions Overview
Understand the complete Andover application
Build one coordinated plan for testing, essays, recommendations, transcripts, and the interview.
Checked against Andover's published admissions pages on October 6, 2026.
The application
What the Andover application asks for.
Each part is read together, so plan the work as one application rather than a test with paperwork attached.
- Components
- After the Candidate Profile, applicants submit a graded writing sample, an essay response, a short video response, a parent/guardian statement, current and previous grades, and four recommendations.
- Platform
- Andover's application is completed through the Gateway to Prep Schools website, starting with the Candidate Profile (Part One).
- Essays
- Applicants submit an essay response through Gateway to Prep Schools.
- Parent statement
- A parent/guardian statement is part of the application and is submitted through Gateway to Prep Schools.
- Recommendations
- Four recommendations are required: principal/counselor, current English teacher, current math teacher, and a personal recommendation.
- Interview
- The interview is Step 2 of Andover's application; applicants choose an on-campus interview, a virtual interview, or an interview recording.
- Decisions
- Andover lists March 10 as its admission decision release date.
SSAT and ISEE practice
Admissions test practice.
Practice is shared across our private school sites.