Step 06
Which Portal?
Most private school admissions applications use Gateway to Prep Schools or the Standard Application Online (SAO). Gateway often includes school-specific prompts that let you explain your fit, while SAO uses shared material across multiple schools and connects with SSAT scores. Compare each school’s requirements, essay workload, and editing rules before choosing. Some applicants may need both portals when schools accept different systems.
Gateway to Prep Schools
But, here's why I think it's better: more writing might seem tiring, but it actually allows you to express yourself through many different topics offered. The schools want to know you in the best way they can, so I believe it is the perfect way to do that.
- Gateway lets schools set unique, individualized prompts. It also focuses on your fit at the school.
- This means more work and writing!
SAO
- The SAO portal is widely used by students for these applications.
- The main difference is the amount of work. Unlike Gateway, SAO uses a core set of essay prompts (e.g., four or five prompts), saving writing time as you submit the same content to multiple schools.
- This is often more efficient for students and families, as the content is standardized.
- Another difference is the connection to the SSAT. After taking the SSAT, your score automatically gets uploaded in the testing section!
What did I use?
I used Gateway only, as I wanted to tailor each response to the school itself, rather than four generic ones. This way, the school could get to know all aspects of me through my writing.
Things to watch out for
In Gateway, the essay part will not be editable without paying the fee (this is otherwise for SAO).
However, you can still view the essays for Gateway, even without paying the fee. More on essays later.
Can you use both?
Of course! If some schools (like Choate Rosemary Hall, etc.) use Gateway only, and some both, it is okay to use both. However, this approach comes with more work depending on what schools you are applying to.