How to Get Into The Hotchkiss School
Key Dates and Information
- Application deadline: January 15, 2027
- Financial aid deadline: January 15, 2027
- Decision date: March 10, 2027
- Student reply deadline: April 10, 2027
- Admissions Tests:
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE
- Grade 11: SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ISEE
- Grades 12 and postgraduate: SAT, ACT, or PSAT
- Applicants whose first language is not English may also need to submit TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, or IELTS scores.
- Interview:
- Virtual interviews and in-person interviews are available.
- Interviews are offered from mid-September through mid-January.
- No interviews are offered during Thanksgiving or Winter Breaks.
Introduction
The Hotchkiss School is a prestigious boarding school in Lakeville, Connecticut. Its students receive a rigorous education and have opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally.
Applying to one of the most sought-after schools in the country may seem intimidating, but Test Innovators is here to help. We’ve created this guide to assist you with the Hotchkiss application process. We recommend using it alongside our Admissions Assist Courses, which will help you write your application essays, prepare for your interviews, and understand what schools like Hotchkiss are looking for.
Application
The majority of the Hotchkiss application is through an online platform called Gateway to Prep Schools. Applicants will need to complete the following steps:
- Fill out the Application Inquiry Form
- Fill out optional special interest forms (if relevant):
- Submit the following on Gateway to Prep Schools:
- Candidate profile (basic information about you, your family, and where you live)
- Candidate project (formal application, essay questions, and activities)
- Parent statement
- School record
- Teacher recommendations
- Submit the application fee: $75. Families may contact the admissions office to request an application fee waiver.
- Schedule an interview: In-person or virtual.
- Submit admissions test scores:
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE
- Grade 11: SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ISEE
- Grades 12 and postgraduate: SAT, ACT, or PSAT
- Submit English proficiency test scores, if applicable: TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, or IELTS.
For more details on the Hotchkiss application requirements and process, please check the Hotchkiss Admissions Page
Recommendations and Transcripts
Hotchkiss requires several recommendation forms, along with an official transcript. More information on how to send each form to the appropriate recommender can be found in the Gateway to Prep Schools portal.
- Principal/counselor recommendation form
- English teacher recommendation: Completed by the current or previous year’s English teacher.
- Math teacher recommendation: Completed by the current or previous year’s math teacher.
- Personal recommendation: Written by an adult who knows you well.
- Official transcript or report cards: Must include current and previous grades and be submitted directly by your school.
Additional letters of recommendation from adults involved in your education may also be submitted. Applicants interested in the arts or athletics may provide optional supplemental materials to showcase their interests and abilities.
Admissions Interview
At Hotchkiss, interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves to the admissions team and learn more about the school.
Before scheduling an interview, prospective students must complete the Application Inquiry Form. For applicants entering in Fall 2027, the school offers both virtual interviews and in-person interviews, including a campus tour.
Interviews are offered mid-September through mid-January. No interviews will be available during the school’s Thanksgiving or Winter Breaks.
On-campus interviews begin with a 45-minute tour led by a current Hotchkiss student, followed by an interview and parent conversation with a member of the admissions team. The entire visit lasts approximately two hours.
Students who cannot visit campus may schedule a virtual interview. Virtual interviews last approximately 30–45 minutes and begin with a one-on-one conversation between the student and an admissions interviewer. Parents or guardians may join for the final 10 minutes.
For more information on interviews, please visit the Hotchkiss page on scheduling visits and interviews.
Admissions Tests
Testing is required for all applicants. Hotchkiss accepts the following tests for each grade level:
- Grades 9–10: SSAT or ISEE
- Grade 11: SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ISEE
- Grades 12 and postgraduate: SAT, ACT, or PSAT
Applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores from the TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, or IELTS, unless they have attended a school where English is the primary language of instruction for at least three years.
Please see our SSAT Prep Guide to learn more about the SSAT and our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about the ISEE.
For more details on Hotchkiss’ testing requirements, please visit the school’s admissions testing page.
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International Students
Hotchkiss requires international applicants whose first language is not English to submit TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, or IELTS results in addition to the required admissions test. Students who have attended a school where English is the primary language of instruction for at least three years are exempt from the English proficiency test requirement. However, they must still submit the standardized test required for their grade level.
Day and Boarding
Hotchkiss offers both day and boarding options for students. Approximately 96% of students live in dormitories, creating a close-knit residential community. All day students are also assigned a room on campus with a desk and chair where they can study, relax, or spend time with friends during the school day.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
Hotchkiss has the following sports teams:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Mountain biking
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Ultimate frisbee
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
For more information, please visit the Hotchkiss athletics page.
Arts
Hotchkiss offers programs in the following visual and performing arts disciplines:
- Dance
- Music
- Photography, Film & Related Media
- Theatre
- Visual Art
For more information, please visit the Visual and Performing Arts Department page.
Supplemental Materials
Hotchkiss encourages candidates to include supplemental materials with their applications when relevant. These materials can help the admissions team better understand your interests, talents, and accomplishments.
- Photography, film, music, and visual arts: Submit materials through Hotchkiss SlideRoom.
- Athletics: Submit an athletic interest form through the Hotchkiss admissions website.
- Other supplemental materials: Email submissions to admissionmaterials@hotchkiss.org.
Applicants should consult the admissions office for current submission instructions and deadlines. Supplemental materials should be submitted in time to be considered with the application.
Conclusion
The Hotchkiss School offers a rigorous academic environment, a vibrant residential community, and a wide range of opportunities for students to pursue their interests. Although applying to a competitive institution may seem intimidating, Test Innovators provides resources to support you throughout the application process, from preparing for admissions tests to crafting your application essays and practicing for your interview. We’re here to help you put your strongest application forward.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist Courses
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about preparing for the PSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the SAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ACT test
- Learn more about The Hotchkiss School
Originally published on October 21, 2022. Updated on September 3, 2024.
