<p>What questions should I ask at my child's prep school interview? I know they will interview him first, then call me in separately to "interview" me! What should I expect, and what should I prepare for?</p>
<p>I asked what they were looking for in an applicant. Was my child competitive with their pool.</p>
<p>More importantly I told them what I was looking for and why their school was on my radar. I was honest and told them that we was looking at a variety of school to see what situation would best benefit my daughter. We took all our interviews before doing applications. Some schools we toured we didnt apply.</p>
<p>I spoke honestly about my d’s strengths and her areas of “potential growth”. I didnt want anyone to take her that didnt think she would not just survive but thrive and enjoy.</p>
<p>I told them that my daughter was a happy, well-adjusted kid that we wanted more for.</p>
<p>Good Luck and relax :-).</p>
<p>Alexz - exactly right. An honest parent looking for an honest “best fit” for your child and honest about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Not trying to game the system. This is the kind of parent that I’d want to admit, since a boarding school admits a family as much as a child.</p>
<p>Also if your child is shy or withholding about achievements (‘tweren’t nothing ma’am’ syndrome), this is a good time to mention them. </p>
<p>Basically, though, I find this is just to be sure you aren’t bucking for the ‘Psycho Parent of the Year’ award.</p>
<p>BSs may want some psycho parents to make sure their parent community is diverse as well. :D</p>
<p>At our first one or two interviews, I initially tried to get a read of “How did my child comport herself in the interview?” because it was/is such an alien situation.</p>
<p>Once I was reassured that she had been polite and forthcoming, I covered the question of fit. Not so much in the “is my child competitive in your applicant pool” (though I wish I had had the guts to ask that point blank in a few!), but more from a “she’s a bit of a nerd…do you have room for someone like that here?”</p>
<p>And finally, although I’ve since read that it’s a question AO’s hate, I asked some “So what makes this place any different from other amazing boarding schools?” Because really, I want to know what they think is different/better about their school!</p>
<p>Seven-I was so bold as to ask what they felt was different about their school…i was nice about it but felt I had the right to know. All the AO’s answered clearly and without bashing other school, told of their school’s strength in the areas that i brought up.</p>
<p>I wanted honest answers about the pool of students. One school told me that they would love to have her but that she might be bored and then they made some suggestions of schools that I should consider (their honestly was truly welcomed). My d was coming from being a big fish in a little pond and hated it…she felt she wasnt learning and was being used by teachers as a tutor for her classmates.</p>
<p>I asked upfront and with honesty about my d being a minority student, their history, faculty, staff, etc. I felt if there were uncomfortable with answering me then it was not the right place for my d. All AO 's answering me without hesitation. One school spoke honestly about having no African-American teachers or staff, thus they understood why we probably wouldnt apply.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who answered my post about what to ask (and be prepared to “be asked”) at the interview. Some excellent points were made. Wish us luck…interview is this coming week.</p>