Interview Dos and Don’ts
The interview is one of the most important parts of the admissions process to independent and private schools. It’s your opportunity to show the school who you are beyond your application and to demonstrate why you would be a good addition to their community. Below are some dos and don’ts to help parents and students navigate the interview.
Before the Interview
1. Do your research.
Do: Prior to the interview, parents and students should research the school. What kind of academic programs does the school offer? How do these programs align with your goals and needs? Do they have a sports team or other extracurricular activities that interest you?
During the interview, it’s important to talk about specific offerings that excite you. Not only will this show the school that you took the time to do your research, it will also help give them a sense for how you would fit into their community.
Don’t: Don’t miss opportunities to interact with the school before you interview. Schools host various admissions events, including open houses, so be sure to attend as many as possible. This can be a great opportunity to meet teachers, coaches, program directors, or current students who can help you envision what the school has to offer. It’s also a good idea to go to school events, such as sports games, plays, and performances, so you can get a true sense of the school community.
2. Know what to expect.
Do: It will help ease your nerves if you know what to expect during the interview. It’s good to know how long the interview will be, how many interviewers you will be talking to, if the student and parent interview is combined or separate, and if there will be a campus tour before or after the interview.
Don’t: If information about the visit isn’t provided, don’t be afraid to reach out to the school’s admissions team to ask.
3. Practice common questions.
Do: Doing a practice interview with a trusted adult is beneficial for a number of reasons. First, it can be difficult to talk about yourself, so it’s important to practice doing so aloud. Second, it’s critical to provide a reason for each answer, and this takes a bit of practice. For example, let’s say you’re asked, “What is your favorite subject in school?” It’s not a good idea to simply say, “I like math.” because it doesn’t help the interviewer get to know you. Instead, make sure to include the “because” part when you respond. “I like math because…”
Don’t: While it’s important for parents to be involved, it’s best for students to practice with an adult who is slightly removed from the process, such as a neighbor or a teacher. The reason for this is that students tend to practice more seriously with someone who isn’t their parent.
4. Think about a few things you want to share.
Do: It’s a good idea to think about two to three specific things you’d like to make sure you share during your interview. These things should help the interviewer get to know you better. It’s likely that you will have the opportunity to share these things in your responses, but in case you don’t, the interviewer will likely ask you at the end if there’s anything else you wanted to share.
Don’t: Don’t over-prepare because it can come across as rehearsed and inauthentic. While it can be helpful to jot down the few things you want to make sure to share, don’t prepare a word-for-word response.
5. Come up with questions to ask.
Do: After researching the school, write down at least three questions to ask the interviewer. Be sure to think of thoughtful questions, such as “ What type of academic support is available if my child struggles?” Having good questions prepared ahead of time will show the school just how serious you are.
Don’t: Don’t ask questions that can be easily answered on the school’s website. For example, questions like, “Do you have a football team?” or “How many students are enrolled?” are questions that can likely be answered by doing a bit of research on the school’s website. These questions indicate that you did not take the time to do your research, which signals a lack of interest to the school.
The Day of the Interview
1. Be mindful of your outward behavior.
Do: Nonverbal communication, such as smiling, making eye contact, and shaking people’s hand, say a lot about you. So it’s important to make sure you are exuding confidence and using your manners. The school does pay attention to your interactions with teachers, students, and staff, so make sure to be on your best behavior the entire time.
Don’t: Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Nervous behavior, such as avoiding eye contact or nodding instead of speaking, can come off as rude. Remember, the interviewer loves working with students, so you can feel comfortable being yourself.
2. Be inquisitive.
Do: It’s important to remember that the interview is a two-way street. It’s just as much your opportunity to learn about the school as it is their opportunity to learn about you. It’s okay to ask questions. In fact, you should have a few questions prepared ahead of time, as noted above.
Don’t: Don’t ask questions about matriculation, especially if your student still has several years until college. To the interviewer, this raises a red flag that you’re only interested in the school serving as a checkmark for college applications. Additionally, don’t ask questions or make comments that could put the school in a defensive position. Skeptical questions will make the school wonder about your interest or intentions.
3. Be transparent.
Do: During the parent interview, it’s important to be upfront about any accommodations your student might need to succeed. Additionally, be open to discussing financial needs and ask if financial assistance is offered.
Don’t: It’s important not to over-promote your student. Trust that your student made a great impression. Instead, round out your student’s interview with points that they might not have enhanced. For instance, if your student plays an instrument, you can build on this by discussing any recent performances or awards that they may have received for their work.
After the Interview
Send a thank you note.
After the interview, be sure to have your student send a thank you message in the form of an email or card. The admissions team really appreciates this small gesture and it can leave a lasting impression.
Practicing for the Interview Webinar
Laurie Geromini, Director of Placement and Lead Admissions Coach, gives tips to help you rock your interviews.
