Admission

International Applicants

Welcome to KUA

As an international boarding school, the Kimball Union community is enriched by our students who hail from more than 20 countries each year. Our international students find a welcome home on The Hilltop where they are immersed in an educational and boarding school experience that will prepare them for productive and meaningful lives in college and beyond.

The International Admission Process

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  • Inquire

    Please complete the inquiry form so that we can get to know you and you can get to know us. We’ll share information that will help guide you in the process and learn more about KUA.

  • Interview

    All international students attending school in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, or Brazil who are interested in applying to Kimball Union Academy must schedule their interview through Vericant, a trusted video interview service. We are proud to join the list of top colleges, universities, and peer independent schools utilizing Vericant to provide you with this personal touch to your application.

    Students should note the date and location of their Vericant interview on their inquiry form to ensure Admission staff can match the Vericant results to a student’s file.
     
    Students from outside China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, or Brazil may optionally use the Vericant interview to enhance their candidacy.

  • Visit Campus

    Campus visits are strongly encouraged. Admission staff do not guarantee the availability of in-person interviews in our international recruitment travel; visiting The Hilltop is the best way to experience life at KUA and to meet Admission staff for an interview. More information on our campus visits can be found here.

  • Complete Testing

    International Applicants:
    • Applicants in grades 9-11 typically submit SSAT scores. KUA’s SSAT code is 4390.
    • If English is not the applicant’s first language, an English language proficiency test is required. The preferred tests are the TOEFL or Duolingo. 

  • Complete Your Application

    Complete and submit the application through either the Standard Application Online (SAO) or Gateway to Prep. Applications are due February 1 for a decision release date of March 10. We begin accepting applications on a rolling basis after this time. 

    Additional information you will need for your application:
    • Student Biographic Profile
    • Student Essays
    • Parent/Guardian Statement
    • Principal/Guidance Counselor Recommendation
    • Transcripts (current year and two previous years)
    • Math teacher recommendation
    • English teacher recommendation
    • Application fee ($50 Domestic; $100 International)

Testing

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Beyond the Application: Our Global Community

Finding a Home at KUA

International students are not an addition to the Kimball Union community — they are one of its foundations. Every year, students who hail from more than 20 countries bring their languages, perspectives, and traditions into our classrooms, dorms, and dining halls, and in doing so shape what it means to be a Wildcat. We believe a genuinely excellent education is one where every student, no matter where they call home, is fully known, fully supported, and fully able to belong.
  • Direct Integration: Students dive straight into mainstream classes rather than isolated ESL tracks.
  • Personalized Support: Dedicated guidance from a full-time ESL specialist, advisors, and dorm parents who know every student by name. Students can work closely with a full-time ESL specialist through one-on-one meetings, for either one or two class periods a week.
  • True Belonging: In a small, close-knit community where no one gets lost, students are encouraged to bring their full identities—not leave them behind.

Global Connections

Our admission team travels worldwide each year to build lasting relationships with families, alumni, and trusted educational consultants.
  • Global Travel: This year, we are visiting 16 cities across 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
  • Regional Events: We host regional gatherings that bring together prospective families, current parents, and alumni in one room. We invite you to join us!

Interview Requirements
 
All applicants must complete an interview. To ensure a consistent experience for everyone, we do not conduct interviews while traveling internationally—we strongly encourage scheduling your in-person interview during a campus visit.
  • Applicants from Greater China, Vietnam, and Brazil: Required to submit a Vericant video interview before scheduling an in-person campus interview.
  • Applicants from all other countries: May complete a Vericant interview for convenience, though it is optional.

Testing Requirement

This year, as part of a renewed commitment to understanding each applicant holistically and how they'll thrive at KUA, we are returning to requiring standardized testing as part of every application — international and domestic alike. The SSAT is one of several accepted ways to fulfill this requirement. Learn more about our testing requirements.

KUA On the Road 2026-2027

Can't join us on campus or looking to meet with us a little closer to home? Our Admissions team is always on the move. Check out our upcoming travel schedule to find us near you! Please contact us at admission@kua.org if you’d like to set up an appointment.

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Contact Us

Office of Admission
603-469-2100 
admission@kua.org
7 Campus Center Drive
Meriden NH, 03770
phone: (603) 469-2000
info@kua.org