How to Get Into Milton Academy

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10Nov

How to Get Into Milton Academy

By Admissions Assist, School Admissions Guides Comments Off on How to Get Into Milton Academy

Key Dates and Information

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Application deadline: January 15, 2024
  • Financial aid deadline: January 31, 2024
  • Admissions tests deadline: January 15, 2024
    • Grades 6-8: SSAT or ISEE
      • Test scores required
    • Grades 9-10: SSAT or ISEE
      • Test scores optional
    • Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
      • Test scores optional
  • Admissions interview deadline: January 15, 2024
    • In-person interviews and virtual interviews offered
  • Admissions decision: March 10, 2024

Introduction

Founded in 1798, Milton Academy is a prestigious K-12 college preparatory school, with boarding offered starting in grade 9. It has long been one of the most selective schools in the nation and was one of the top ten most sought-after schools of 2023.

Applying to such a distinguished school can be intimidating, so we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the admissions process to Milton. 

We suggest using this guide along with the Test Innovators Admissions Assist courses to create a competitive application. Through our course, you will learn what schools like Milton look for in applicants, how to write excellent essays, and strategies to help ace the interview. 

Application

Lower and Middle School candidates apply through Milton’s online platform. Upper School candidates apply with either the Gateway to Prep Schools application or the Standard Application Online (SAO). 

The entry grades for Lower and Middle School are kindergarten, grade 4, grade 6, and grade 7. Students applying to other grades are still encouraged to submit applications, which will be reviewed if spaces are available. 

Upper School applications are accepted for grades 9-11 for boarding students and grades 9-10 for day students.

Here are the application requirements for Lower, Middle, and Upper School at Milton Academy:

First steps:

  • Complete and submit the Request Information form
  • Schedule an interview
    • Schedule your campus tour and interview
    • Interviews are only available for families applying to an entry point grade (kindergarten and grade 4)
    • Deadline: January 15th

Steps for the online application: 

  • Create an account through Milton’s platform
  • Pay the application fee
    • $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers available
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Send transcripts from the current and previous year
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit teacher recommendation(s)
    • Required recommendation from current classroom teacher
    • Optional recommendation from former teacher, coach, instructor, etc. 
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Kindergarten: complete individual assessment via Zoom
    • Scheduled after submitting online application
  • Grade 4: complete group visit via Zoom
    • Assigned to each student after submitting online application
  • Complete financial aid application (if applicable)
    • Deadline: January 31st

First steps:

  • Complete and submit the Request Information form
  • Schedule an interview
    • Schedule your campus tour and interview
    • Interviews are only available for families applying to an entry point grade (grade 6 and 7)
    • Deadline: January 15th

Steps for the online application: 

  • Create an account through Milton’s platform
  • Pay the application fee
    • $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers available
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Send transcripts from the current and previous year
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit letters of recommendation
    • Required recommendations: school administrator (principal or guidance counselor), current English teacher, and current math teacher
    • Optional recommendations: special interests for arts or athletics 
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Take the SSAT or ISEE (required)
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Take the TOEFL Jr. (if applicable)
    • Required for applicants who do not speak English as their first language
  • Complete financial aid application (if applicable)
    • Deadline: January 31st

First steps:

  • Complete and submit the Request Information form
  • Schedule an interview
    • Applicants and parents participate in a two-part interview with an admissions team member.
    • Interviews can be scheduled in person or virtually
  • Schedule a campus tour
  • Take an admissions test (optional)
    • Accepted tests: 
      • Grades 9-10: SSAT or ISEE
      • Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
    • For applicants who do not speak English as a primary language and/or have not attended an English speaking school for at least 2 years, it is strongly recommended to submit a language exam.
      • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo recommended
    • Testing should be completed before January 15th

Apply online by submitting the Gateway to Prep Schools application or the Standard Application Online (SAO). Steps for the online application:

  • Complete the candidate profile 
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Pay the application fee
    • $65 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants; fee waivers available
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit short answers and essays
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit parent statement
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit a graded writing sample
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Submit letters of recommendation
    • Required recommendations: school administrator (principal or guidance counselor), current English teacher, and current math teacher
    • Optional recommendations: personal or special interest recommendation
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Send transcripts from the current year and previous two years
    • Deadline: January 15th
  • Complete financial aid application (if applicable)
    • Deadline: January 31st

For the most up-to-date information on Milton Academy’s application requirements and deadlines, please see their website for Lower and Middle School admissions and Upper School admissions.

Admissions Interview

Lower School and Middle School applicants schedule their interviews by calling the admissions office at (617) 898-2509. Interviews are only available for students applying to an entry level grade (kindergarten, grade 4, grade 6, and grade 7). Interviews are expected to be in-person, with a virtual interview option for international families. Lower School interviews are only with the parents/guardians and are about 45 minutes. Middle School interviews are with the applicant and the parents/guardians and are 45 minutes; the first 20 minutes of the interview is with the applicant, and the remaining 25 minutes is with the parents/guardians. 

Upper School applicants schedule an interview directly on Milton’s website. The applicant and their parents/guardians participate in a two-part, 45-minute interview with a member of the Milton admissions team. Interviews are done in-person; however, there is a virtual option for families who cannot make it to campus. During the first 20 mins of the interview, the admissions officer speaks with the prospective student. During the second part of the interview, the admissions officer speaks with the parents/guardians. Milton has general interview tips to give you a better idea of what to expect. 

The interview is an integral part of the application, and a great opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your interest in Milton Academy. It is important for both students and parents to prepare for the interview, so you can express yourself clearly and confidently. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep course helps students and parents practice common interview questions and learn how to best share their story.

We also recommend preparing to explain what drew you to Milton Academy. Review their mission page, and consider what the motto “dare to be true” means to you. Look through their course catalogue, and make note of the courses you would want to take. Check out their on-campus and off-campus programs. Take a look at Milton’s athletic teams and arts departments, and be ready to share your areas of interest as a prospective student. Let your excitement about opportunities at Milton show in your application and interview. 

Admissions Tests

Milton Academy accepts the following tests for each grade level:

  • Grades 6-8: SSAT or ISEE
    • Test scores required
  • Grades 9-10: SSAT or ISEE
    • Test scores optional
  • Grade 11: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
    • Test scores optional

Submitting test scores is required for grades 6-8 and optional for grades 9-11. We strongly recommend taking an admissions test even if scores are optional. You can review your scores before sending them to schools, so you can decide whether they will strengthen your application and should be submitted. In short, taking the ISEE or SSAT can only benefit your application and help you stand out. 

Test Innovators is here to help you prepare for the SSAT and ISEE. We are an official practice partner for the SSAT and offer the only officially endorsed ISEE prep. 

Our practice platform provides full-length practice tests and detailed score analyses with actionable insights that help you target specific areas for improvement. Additionally, you can compare your practice test scores to target score data for Milton Academy and other schools.

To learn more about how Test Innovators can help you prepare, check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide. 

Financial Aid Application

Milton Academy is committed to enrolling qualified applicants regardless of their families’ finances and to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. In 2023-2024, Milton had a financial aid budget of $14.5 million, and 35% of students received financial aid. The first part of the application review process is need-blind, but the final part of the review is need-aware, taking into account available financial aid funds. 

To apply for financial aid, families must submit the following materials by January 31st:

  • Parents’ Financial Statement to School and Student Services 
  • 2022 and 2023 W2s
  • 2022 signed tax returns
    • 2023 signed tax returns due by April 15th

Families of international students must submit the following materials by January 31st: 

  • International Student Financial Aid Profile to School and Student Services
  • 2022 and 2023 tax documents with a translation to English when applicable
  • Letter from parent employer(s) to explain terms of employment
  • Certificate of finance from banks with all account balances
  • Copy of November and December 2023 bank statements 

Students will be informed of financial aid offers with the offer of admission on March 10th. For more information on financial aid at Milton Academy, please refer to their financial aid page. 

Day vs. Boarding

Milton accepts boarding applications for grades 9-11. Additionally, grade 9 and 10 applicants living in the Greater Boston area can apply to be a day student. Once admitted, you may not change your status as a day or boarding student unless there is an unusual circumstance. See more about living at Milton if you are interested in boarding school. 

Students will indicate whether they are applying as a day student or boarding student in the application, but otherwise the application process is the same. 

Athletics

Milton offers athletic teams in the following sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Field hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Sailing
  • Skiing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Ultimate disc
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

To learn more about these teams and the athletic programs at Milton, please visit their athletics page.

Arts

Milton has three departments for their arts program: music, performing arts, and visual arts. All students who enter Milton before grade 11 are required to take at least one art course. Course offerings range from photography to spoken word performance to drama. 

For more information about Milton’s arts program and to explore possible classes of interest, please refer to their arts page.

On-Campus and Off-Campus Programs

Milton offers a variety of programs that allow students to learn and to explore interests outside of the classroom. Their on-campus programs include an outdoor program and a community engagement program, and their off-campus programs include opportunities to study abroad and at the Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. These programs are another great place to draw inspiration for your application essays and interview.

Conclusion

Creating a stand-out application for a school like Milton Academy can be daunting, but Test Innovators is here to help you do your best on admissions tests, essays, and interviews.

Preparation Resources:

Start preparing today!

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Originally published on July 7, 2022. Updated on November 10, 2023.

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