Admissions Process FAQs

There is no single factor that we are seeking in our admissions process. Each year, it is our goal to blend together a highly motivated group of students that represent diverse backgrounds and different interests. We strive to identify applicants with strong character who are willing to be active members of our community. We approach these goals by placing an emphasis on our conversations with prospective students, a review of past and current academic performance, and an in-depth understanding of current teacher recommendations.

Completed applications are due January 15. Applications submitted subsequent to this deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis if space is available. FGS accepts applications through the Standard Application Online (SAO).

We require each candidate to have a conversational interview with a member of our admissions team. We encourage students to interview on campus, yet recognize that in some instances this is not possible. In such cases, we will arrange for an online interview. The interview process is an opportunity for us to get to know you, to share information about our school, and for you to ask questions.

For the student Interview, you will interview with one of our six admissions professionals. The interview typically lasts 20 minutes and is intended as a casual conversation, allowing us to get to know you a bit better and for you to get a sense of our community. Come ready with some questions, but don’t be nervous about our questions. We simply want to have a fun conversation with you. For parents, the same admissions officer interviewing your child will talk with parents for about 10-15 minutes following each student conversation. Boarding school is very much a partnership between parents and adults on campus, making this a great moment to make a first acquaintance. Plan to use this time as an opportunity to tell us about your child and to ask us any questions you have about our school.

Our admissions team greatly values the interview process. It is an authentic way for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. The best advice is to relax and be yourself. Come prepared with some questions so we can better understand your interests.

We encourage you to work closely with your school in determining this, yet our experience suggests that a request should be made by November 1 for those students working towards the January 15 deadline.

Given the uncertainty regarding the availability of standardized testing options, we will not require the submission of standardized test scores for the 2021-22 application. If testing options are available, submission of scores is optional. For 9th and 10th grade applicants, we accept the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Be sure to list The Frederick Gunn School as a school where your child is applying. Our SSAT school code is 3628. We will also accept the ISEE for 9th and 10th grade applicants in lieu of the SSAT. For 11th, 12th and PG applicants, FGS accepts the PSAT, SAT or ACT. ISEE, PSAT, SAT or ACT test results should be sent directly to admissions@gunnery.org.

All international applications for whom English is not their first language must take an English proficiency test. We accept TOEFL (school code 8980), IELTS and Duolingo scores.

SSAT: 3628
TOEFL: 8980
ISEE, SAT, PSAT and / or ACT: please send scores directly to admissions@frederickgunn.org.

Standardized tests are considered in the application review because they represent a common assessment tool. That said, we are more focused on a student’s day-to-day experience at their current school, along with the interview experience, teacher recommendations and extracurricular involvement. We absolutely take a holistic approach to the application process working to understand how you can be a contributing member to our community.

An Admissions Officer will send you an email when your application is complete. Please recognize this may take a few days beyond the January 15 deadline as we process applications. Families may also access application updates via our Admissions Portal, which will include a summary of missing items in the event that an application is incomplete.

You will be notified of admissions and financial aid decisions via our Admissions Portal on March 10.

A waitlist outcome is a strong indication that we would like for you to become part of our community, yet we have many qualified applicants that require us to manage a waitlist every year. Typically, our waitlist is related to financial aid. Our financial aid waitlist includes students we would have admitted if our financial aid resources were not restricted. We immediately begin to consider the waitlist on April 10 and would encourage those receiving a waitlist decision to stay in contact with our Admissions Office. We appreciate continued indications of interest in our school during the waitlist period. 

Yes. While we absolutely encourage interested students to apply by our January 15 deadline, we will consider applications on a rolling basis after the January 15 deadline. For applicants seeking financial aid, it is best to apply for aid by the financial aid application deadline of February 1, rather than waiting until the applicant has been accepted for admission or already enrolled in the school. We are not able to guarantee that financial aid will be available to late applicants.

Tuition for the 2020-21 school year is $47,234 for day students and $66,523 for boarding students. In addition to tuition, there are fees for technology, health services, tuition refund insurance, and a dorm deposit, among other things. Students must also cover the cost of books and clothes appropriate to our dress code. Discounted book costs are often available and based on the amount of need-based financial aid received by the student. For more specific fee information, please contact the Business Office at (860) 350-0191 and ask for a fee schedule.