Upper School FAQS

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How do I schedule an interview? Hide: Please call the Admissions Office to schedule an appointment at 610-399-7900. If you have previously attended an Open House, you may schedule an interview only which will take about an hour. Otherwise you will schedule a tour and an interview, which takes about two hours.
Can I visit the school without having a formal interview? Hide: Absolutely. We offer six Open Houses throughout the year between October and April. Families tour the campus and hear from a panel of students and faculty members. The panel format offers the opportunity for parents and students to ask any questions they have. Assuming families want to pursue application to Westtown School following the Open House, please call the Admissions Office to schedule a personal interview.
Do I need to apply to have an interview? Hide: Yes. Please submit Part I of our application before you schedule a visit. We would like to know something about you and your special interests before you come to campus.
What should I expect during the interview? Hide: Visits begin with a comprehensive tour of the school, if you have not been to an Open House. Tours are lead by current students so this is a great opportunity to hear more about Westtown School from a student’s perspective. The interview is a time for us to get to know you as well as for you to better understand Westtown School. You will spend time talking with an Admission representative about your interests, talents and reasons for considering Westtown School. Most visitors find the interview process relaxed. Parents will also meet with the Admission representative. Please allow approximately two hours for your visit.
What if I can’t get to campus for an interview? Hide: We strongly recommend a visit to campus as it is such a central part of choosing your next school. It also allows us to get to know you better. It is in the interest of all applicants to visit, if possible, during the fall or winter prior to the year of expected enrollment. If an on-campus interview is not possible we are able to interview you by phone. We do conduct interviews during our recruitment travel. Check our website for our travel schedule to see if we will be in your hometown.
Do you accept tests other than the SSAT? Hide: While most candidates take the SSAT, we also accept the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam). Candidates for 11th grade may submit the PSAT in lieu of the SSAT. If you have already taken the ACT or SAT, you may submit those as well.
If English is my second language, do I need to submit a TOEFL? Hide: Yes. The TOEFL is a very important part of the admission process as it helps us to determine your level of English proficiency. International students are required to submit both the SSAT and the TOEFL.
Do you have a minimum score requirement for the TOEFL? Hide: No. We consider the student’s application in its entirety. However, we do not offer beginning ESL instruction, so students who score above 72 on the IBT are the most successful here.
When should I give my teachers the Recommendation Forms from the application? Hide: The Math Teacher Recommendation, the English Teacher Recommendation, the Request for Transcript and School Report should be distributed to your current school after the first marking period. These forms are to be completed and returned to us directly from your school prior to the application deadline.
Is financial aid available? Hide: Westtown School is committed to economic diversity and we award over $4.2 million in financial aid annually. The Westtown School Financial Aid Program enables the school to enroll talented and well qualified students who will contribute to and benefit from the learning process here, regardless of their families’ economic circumstances. All are welcome to apply.
How does the Admissions Committee evaluate applicants? Hide: A number of factors play into the acceptance or denial of an applicant. A student’s transcript, teacher recommendations and the personal interview are just as important as SSAT scores and application essays. No one piece is more significant than the other. All members of the Admissions Committee carefully read and discuss each applicant’s file in an effort to determine the student’s individual strengths and personality. All of this is, of course, to ascertain whether Westtown School is a good match for the student.
What are the admission application deadlines? Hide: The deadline for Upper School Day students is January 7. For Lower and Middle School the deadline is January 15. Boarding applications are due February 1. After these deadlines, admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Please call to inquire about space after these dates.
When will I find out about acceptance decisions? Hide: Notification of decisions for day student applicants will take place during the first week of February. Boarding decisions notification date is March 10.