Standard Application Online (SAO)
Reach new applicants and create a simpler, more equitable application process by accepting the most widely used K–12 common application for independent schools.
ON-DEMAND PRESENTATION
Reimagining the Applicant Journey and Enrollment Funnel
Admissions Ecosystem
Reimagining enrollment marketing for K–12 independent schools, each channel in EMA's Admissions Ecosystem works together to attract and engage candidates throughout the recruitment funnel.
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Admission.org Search
Expanding the top of the recruitment funnel, Admission.org Search connects your school with families worldwide actively exploring independent day and boarding options. Built-in efficiencies from the Standard Application Online and prospect list nurturing keep families moving from research to application.
Learn MoreInternational Recruitment
Expand your school's global enrollment reach with EMA's best-in-class student recruitment fairs and agent events. Build a network of skilled agents advocating on your behalf and establish trust with motivated families by meeting face-to-face. The result is long-lasting impact through the most powerful form of school marketing: authentic word of mouth.
Learn MoreStudent Prospect List
86% of applying parents are part of Generation X—the email generation. Utilize advanced segmentation to send nurture and retargeting emails to over 35,000 prospective families already engaged in EMA's system. Direct them to your school's Admission.org Search profile for a quick-start gateway into the application process.
Learn MoreOpen Seat List
Activated after the traditional April enrollment decision period, the Open Seat List connects schools with over 4,000 outstanding students who are new to the application process or are navigating the uncertainty of waitlists.
Learn MoreStandard Application Online (SAO)
Families in EMA's Admissions Ecosystem are motivated and application-ready. Whether navigating the Admission.org Search or receiving a Student Prospect List email, they're a click away from beginning an application to your school via the Standard Application Online (SAO), the most widely used K–12 common independent school application.
Learn MoreThe Benefits of a Common K–12 Application
Through the Standard Application Online, families save time by compiling their information, essays, transcripts, and recommendations once and submitting them to any school that accepts the SAO. In turn, schools enjoy the following benefits.
581,668+ SAO applications submitted—and counting!
Standard application. Remarkable results.
1
EMA Membership Benefit
The SAO is an EMA membership benefit that boosts ROI for schools with no upfront subscription cost. It works seamlessly with other EMA enrollment tools, such as the SSAT and Character Skills Snapshot, to help streamline the application submission process.
2
Customization
Standardization of forms, recommendations, and essays simplifies the application process, but the SAO is also flexible, supporting school-specific supplemental forms, student body cohorts, and admission event dates.
3
Enrollment Funnel
Through Admission.org, EMA’s resource site for families, new candidates from around the world are discovering and applying to independent schools that accept the SAO.
4
Data-Rich Dashboards
Perfect for board reports, easily track enrollment trends with previous-year and peer-school comparisons. See a breakdown of applicants from your school’s website and EMA referrals, and monitor the overlap report for competitive insights.
5
Application Fees
Customize and collect your school's application fee, charged to families in one sum payment with EMA's nominal SAO processing fees. Schools incur a small administrative fee with each paid application, which provides the flexibility to absorb the cost or build it into your school's application fee. SAO fee waivers are also available for eligible students.
6
Parent Appreciation
Parents will thank you for accepting the SAO. Displaying the SAO badge on your school’s website strongly indicates that the school cares about the parent experience.
The Ride Reports…
As the most widely used common K–12 application with a growing candidate funnel generated from Admission.org, the SAO is uniquely positioned to simplify the application experience and reduce families' stress. Take a look at how the data supports SAO usage.
See what admission professionals say about the Standard Application Online.
"At a time when we are trying to reduce barriers, create access, and alleviate unnecessary stress on families, the value of the SAO has never been more evident."
“The Standard Application Online is a game-changer. It gets us the application pieces we need in a more streamlined fashion, we can customize certain components for our different divisions, and there’s seamless processing with our backend enrollment management system."
Schools Benefiting From the SAO
Interested in The Standard Application Online?
Fill out this form to get started!
PARENTS AND STUDENTS: This form is not where you create a Standard Application Online account. You can learn about the SAO, contact our family support, or start an SAO application at these links.