Taiwan, Taipei
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
1. Apply & Schedule Entrance Exam: To begin, fill out and submit the online HAS application form. Once the application is received, HAS will arrange admission testing and notify you by email or phone about the next steps. If your initial application is not admitted, HAS notes a re-application option that allows applicants to re-apply three months after the previous application date. Placement decisions at this stage depend on the entrance exam results, the interview, and the applicant's accompanying records.
2. Entrance Fee: After submitting the application, you must pay an Entrance Exam Fee of NT$5,000 by bank transfer. The school's Financial Department will email payment instructions after receiving the application, and the admissions office will reserve an exam slot once payment is confirmed. The entrance exam fee is non-refundable, and the fee covers testing, credit evaluation, and/or interview as part of the admissions process.
3. Exam & Interview: English and Math tests are administered prior to admission, followed by an interview with the Principal. Admission is contingent on the exam and interview outcomes, as well as a review of placement factors such as years of schooling and age. Testing, interviews, and review of pertinent records are used to determine the proper placement for new students.
4. Decision: The Principal makes admissions decisions, offering or rejecting admission accordingly. Applicants who cannot be enrolled due to space in a particular grade are placed on a waiting list. This decision step determines whether the student will be offered a place or moved to the waitlist.
5. Acceptance: If admitted, HAS sends an acceptance letter by email with further admission instructions and payment information. Accepted applicants must submit the required documents (previous English transcripts for the last two years, copies of passports, immunizations for Grades 1–6, and a 1-inch photo). Enrollment details specify that capital and registration fees must be paid within two weeks of acceptance, and seats are allocated on a first-come basis with no seat reserved until payment is received. The acceptance process also notes that applications expire if these fees are not paid within the two-week window.
6. Try-Out (if offered): After completing the entrance exam and interview, some students may be offered a five-day try-out period. The try-out fee is NT$10,000, which will apply to tuition in the same semester if the student officially enrolls. The try-out fee is nonrefundable for unenrolled students, and there are no transportation provisions during the try-out period.
2) Waitlist/Pool: HAS states that if there is no space available in a grade level, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. When space becomes available, students may be offered enrollment, but seats are not reserved in advance. The school's enrollment terms indicate that acceptance follows a first-come basis for seat availability, and there is a two-week window to pay capital and registration fees after acceptance; otherwise, the application may expire.
3) Scholarships: HAS does not publish information about scholarships or financial aid on its official admissions or tuition pages. The Tuition & Fees page lists mandatory fees and optional extras but does not include a scholarships or financial-aid section. For families seeking scholarship options, the school's published pages do not provide details, and you may need to contact the Admissions Office directly for current offerings.
Hsinchu American School (HAS) is a private, international school offering education from Grade 1 through Grade 12. It is accredited by Taiwan's Ministry of Education and the Hsinchu Education Bureau, registered with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and holds Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation (six‑year terms in 2015 and in 2021). The campus sits on Chung Hua University grounds and provides facilities such as an indoor gym, a 300‑seat theater, a swimming pool, science and robotics labs, a library, music rooms, two art rooms, and a student activity center. HAS follows an American‑based curriculum with an AP program starting in Grade 6, built on Common Core and California State Standards. The academic program uses a rotating A/B day block schedule, with up to eight credits per year and AP courses integrated within the schedule. The school emphasizes university preparation, critical thinking, collaboration and communication, and offers access to university‑level coursework within a community‑oriented setting. The school also notes a bus service to the HSR station as part of its transportation options.