Groton School admissions for fall 2027 are due January 15, 2027. The file needs an SSAT or ISEE, a Candidate Statement and recommendations, and Groton also invites a short video introduction. I've seen families polish the video until it looked scripted, when Groton asked for the opposite.
Groton School Admissions at a Glance
- Application deadline: January 15, 2027. Application fee: $50.
- Test: the SSAT (code 3598) or ISEE (code 220930). November or December is preferable.
- Written work: the Candidate Statement.
- Optional: a video introduction of no more than five minutes.
- Interviews: on campus or remote. Remote requests after November 15 need test results.
- Recommendations: submitted through Gateway to Prep Schools.
Groton School Admissions Steps for Fall 2027
Groton applications go through the Gateway to Prep Schools system. All forms must reach the Admission Office by January 15, 2027.
- Submit the Candidate Profile. Within 24 hours you receive a link to the application portal.
- Schedule a tour and interview in the portal, or a remote interview.
- Take the SSAT or ISEE and send the scores to Groton.
- Request recommendations through Gateway.
- Submit the Candidate Statement and any optional video.
The application fee is $50, with help available for families who find it difficult to pay.
The Groton SSAT or ISEE: Why Testing Is Required
Groton requires standardized test results. The school says results are one of many factors that help determine whether a school is a good fit, and that they help put an applicant's grades in context when a counselor does not know the applicant's school.
You may take either test, and the November or December dates are preferable. Groton can only accept scores sent directly from the testing service, using code 3598 for the SSAT or 220930 for the ISEE.
In my experience, a fall test removes a source of stress from the holidays. Families who test in January spend December waiting.
The Groton Candidate Statement
Transcripts, recommendations, test results and the Candidate Statement are all important in assessing the application, according to Groton. The statement is the part the student writes, and the page does not print its prompts.
The weak version summarizes strengths in general terms. The stronger version picks one thing the student cares about and explains why, in the student's own voice.
A statement is hard to judge when you wrote it, because every sentence still sounds like what you meant.
A statement and a timed test section are both hard to judge on your own, because a familiar reader hides the gaps and an untimed attempt hides the pace. Start the combo plan for timed STEM Critical Thinking test simulations and detailed Essay Writing feedback.
Interviews and the Video Introduction at Groton
Applicants schedule an interview in the portal after submitting the Candidate Profile. Groton also offers remote interviews by video chat, and it strongly encourages applicants who will not visit to interview remotely during the summer.
The video introduction is optional, up to five minutes, and best when it is a simple statement of interests and aspirations. A selfie-style recording is acceptable.
Groton Fee Waivers and the Final Weeks
Groton considers test fee waivers for applicants who complete a Candidate Profile, finish the financial aid application on Clarity and email a request to the admission office.
I've worked with students who recorded a video in one take and were pleased with it. That is the version Groton asks for. Do not over-rehearse, and check that the recording is clear.
Groton School Admissions FAQ
Q: What are the Groton test codes?
A: The SSAT code is 3598 and the ISEE code is 220930. Groton can only accept scores sent directly from the testing services, so list the code when you register.
Q: Which test dates does Groton prefer?
A: November or December. The page says those dates are preferable, which leaves time for the scores to arrive before the January 15 deadline.
Q: Is the video introduction required?
A: No. Groton invites a video introduction of up to five minutes. It prefers a simple statement of interests and aspirations over a rehearsed or edited presentation, and a selfie-style video is perfectly acceptable.
Q: What are remote interviews?
A: Interviews by video chat for candidates who cannot travel to campus. The school encourages remote candidates to interview in the summer. Applicants who request a remote interview after November 15 must submit their standardized test results first.
Q: How does the test fee waiver work?
A: Groton considers fee waivers for applicants who complete a Candidate Profile, complete the financial aid application on Clarity and request a waiver by email. The testing organizations provide the waivers to schools.
Q: How much is the application fee?
A: The fee is $50. Families whose circumstances make it difficult to pay can email or call the admission office. Applications for fall 2027 enrollment are due January 15, 2027.
Q: How are recommendations submitted?
A: Through the Gateway to Prep Schools system, after you submit the Candidate Profile. Your first step is to ask people whether they will recommend you, and the system emails them the forms.
Scored Practice for the Groton Test and Statement
Groton reads test scores and the Candidate Statement. Use STEM Critical Thinking Practice Tests for timed test simulations with progress tracking and Essay Writing Practice Tests for practice essay prompts with detailed grading and feedback. The combo plan covers both, or compare all plans and pricing first.
