Parent FAQ
Start with the questions that change the plan
Check the deadline, the test and the cost before you invest in preparation work.
Checked against Deerfield's published admissions pages on November 4, 2026.
Before you enroll
Questions from parents.
When is the Deerfield application due?
Deerfield's priority application deadline is January 15, 2027. All three parts of the Gateway application should be in by then. Deerfield will try to consider applications finished after January 15, but cannot guarantee a March 10 notification. Late candidates are limited by the spaces left after April 10.
Which test does my student take?
Applicants to grade 9 or 10 submit the SSAT or the ISEE, taken between January 2026 and January 2027. Applicants to grade 11 submit the ACT, PLAN, PSAT, SAT or SSAT, taken between September 2026 and January 2027. Applicants to grade 12 or a postgraduate year submit the ACT, PSAT or SAT, taken between September 2025 and January 2027.
Is an interview required?
Interviews are a required part of the application. Interviews are offered in person or virtually. The in-person visit pairs a campus tour with a one-on-one interview with an admission officer. The virtual interview is a one-on-one Zoom conversation, with time for parents to speak with an admission officer.
How much does it cost to apply?
The application fee is $60 for students living in the United States or Canada and $125 for students living outside the United States. Application fee waivers are based on financial need, and the Candidate Profile has to be completed first. Deerfield does not offer fee waivers after January 31.
What is the tuition?
Boarding tuition for 2026-27 is $79,940. Day tuition for 2026-27 is $57,850.
How does financial aid work?
Financial aid at Deerfield is need-based, and the school says it meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students. Grants are outright awards with no repayment. Deerfield does not give aid for athletic or academic performance or any other merit.
Can my student start in the middle of the year?
Deerfield enrolls students for September only. It does not admit students in the middle of the academic year.
When do families hear back?
Admission and financial aid decisions are available to applicants on March 10, 2027. Enrollment contracts for newly admitted students are due April 10, 2027.
Is DeerfieldPrep affiliated with Deerfield?
No. DeerfieldPrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Deerfield Academy. Check every requirement and date on the school's own website before you apply.
How current is the admissions information on this site?
The admissions facts on this site were last checked against the school's published pages on November 4, 2026. Schools can change requirements and dates at any time.