Applying to Independent Schools: Advice From Parents
The process of applying to independent and private schools can be challenging to navigate. It involves many moving parts including school visits, interviews, and entrance exams. Our Director of Admissions, Laurie, recently sat down with four parents who went through the admissions process last year to understand what it’s like for students and their families. Check out their advice to others who are navigating the admissions process.
1. Focus on finding the right fit.
When deciding where to apply, it’s important to start the process as early as possible, so that you have time to explore all of the options and make a list of schools you’d like to explore. Some parents suggest giving your student a guided list of schools and allowing them to select the options that are a good fit for them. Do not push your student to apply to schools that they dislike, even if those schools are high on your list.
Other parents advocate for finding a school that matches the student’s interests. One parent stated, “We wanted to get our daughter a high-caliber education that was flexible. We knew [she] needed flexibility and a creative outlet.” This need for flexibility and creativity shaped their schools list and ultimately informed their final decision.
2. Attend as many admissions events as possible.
Families should attend as many admissions events as possible. Schools notice and appreciate when families show interest. Arrive early for on-campus events so that you have the opportunity to observe how current students interact with each other and the faculty. These interactions can help shape your decision. One parent recommended “[taking] relevant family members to visit so that you can get different perspectives.”
3. Give yourself plenty of time to practice for the ISEE and SSAT.
Entrance exams can be a taxing portion of the admissions process. Students should focus on areas that need improvement. Working backward from test day, students should create a preparation schedule to help stay on track. Parents recommended using Test Innovators because it creates a Personalized Prep Plan for you. Students can take full-length practice tests and work on targeted practice exercises based on their needs. One parent stated, “[Our daughter’s] test prep and her last test scores were really great and that was a testament to Test Innovators.”
Remember that you can take the ISEE and SSAT more than once. In fact, parents recommend that students take the tests at least twice. If entrance exams are optional for the schools on your list, it’s still a good idea to take a test. You can always choose not to send your scores if you don’t think they’ll help your application.
4. Be transparent in your essays and parent statements.
When it comes to the essay, students should make sure they are addressing the prompt and following the directions. The most important thing is to be authentic, so that the school can get to know you. If you are applying to multiple schools, avoid reusing the same essays for different schools. When students reuse essays, they run the risk of not fully addressing the given prompt, which could signal a lack of interest and attention to detail.
When it comes to crafting the parent statement, parents should be realistic and honest. While it’s helpful to articulate your student’s strengths, it can be even more insightful to shed light on your student’s areas for growth. Additionally, discussing the distinct qualities of the school that could help your student grow can be especially powerful. Lastly, one parent recommended strengthening the parent statement by having specific reference points: “Go through [the] school’s website so you can know exactly what you’re interested in. Stay tuned with their posts and find areas that align with your interests.”
5. Prepare for the interview.
Parents recommend practicing common interview questions so that your student can get comfortable with types of questions they’ll have to answer. Questions like “What subjects do you excel in?” or “What kind of activities do you like to do outside of school?” give students the opportunity to practice expressing themselves. One suggestion is to do a reverse interview where the student asks the parents questions and the parents respond as if they were the student. This can help students learn how to give complete answers with details and examples.
Final Thoughts
Applying to independent and private schools can be a long process filled with uncertainty. However, it can be a very rewarding experience for your family. While it’s important to guide and support your student, make sure that they have ownership of the process.
The parent panel agreed that “the amount of work you put into the process will determine what kind of school you will end up going to. Don’t underestimate the effort required to accomplish what you want to.”
Parent Evening: The Independent School Admissions Process
Get expert advice and information about every step of the admissions process from parents who went through it all last year.
