<p>I wanted to discuss anything related to interviews and some unique experiences you had at yours.</p>
<p>At one of my schools we got toured by the headmaster which was very interesting. Also, do you think getting interviewed over the summer worked to your advantage or is getting interviewed during the school year better?</p>
<p>I was interviewed during the school year and over the summer. I think during the school year is much better because you get to see the environment with the students. </p>
<p>And do you think what you wear to your interview matters? I reckon that it shouldn't but I've heard from some people that your appearance gives off an impression of who you are. </p>
<p>One of my interveiws we had to switch rooms because of an insect situation.</p>
<p>What are your interview stories?</p>
<p>I saw the same kid at two places. </p>
<p>And on my tour a week before the deadline, one of the kids I met hadn’t started his essays. He’s applying to two of the same schools I am, so I told him which prompt he could use to get away with the same essay. :)</p>
<p>@stargirl3</p>
<p>That’s actually really kind of you to tell him that. Whenever I meet someone applying to the same school I am and in the same grade I get very competitive. </p>
<p>At one of my interveiws there was a girl wearing (wait for it) Uggs with super skinny jeans and a very low cut shirt. Not to mention she was on her phone the entire time.
I was incredibly shocked.</p>
<p>If you don’t lurk on the cc prep school forum or do a lot of research, it is possible to overlook the dress standards for interviews. Families who have never had a child in prep school are probably feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole process. I’d try not to judge an applicant dressed more casually.</p>
<p>@rareparadox Thanks! I was wondering if any AOs overheard me, and whether they would agree with you that I was being helpful or get all, “She reused my essay? How dare she?!”</p>
<p>@Rellielou I kind of agree. You never know her story. For all we know, her house burned down the day before and she was wearing the same clothes. Or she flew in from somewhere else and her luggage was lost.</p>
<p>My son wore shorts and a polo shirt to two interviews during the summer. I checked with the admissions offices to make sure it was OK, because he refused to wear anything else. Other kids were in suits, true, but I didn’t have the sense that his outfit affected his chances. My daughter wore very casual clothes to an off-campus interview that was scheduled at the last minute. She didn’t have time to change after school. Likewise, I don’t think her clothes will be a deciding factor. Frankly, I have been surprised to read about some of the very expensive and very conservative outfits that have been described and recommended. We are decidedly not from a culture in which young teens dress like that. I hope that if my children do go to prep school, they can somehow manage without the pricey brand name gear that seems required for status/fashion purposes.</p>
<p>I didn’t go all dressed up. I didn’t wear pencil skirts and blazers like some other girls so I wasn’t too formal but I still dressed how I would normally wear but nicer.
I’m not saying she needed to dress like a lawyer. Heck I just wore tweed pants with a button up underneath a sweater and I understand I shouldn’t judge her because I don’t know her situation. </p>
<p>@twinsmama shorts and polo shirt seems perfectly fine. But I couldn’t manage but to mention that girl to my parents because seriously? That much eyeliner?</p>
<p>I’m sorry if I offended anyone.</p>
<p>When my son interviewed at Deerfield last year, he was told by his (private) middle school in no uncertain terms to wear khakis, a button down shirt, tie, and blazer (every other boy we saw there was dressed the same-- although a couple were in actual suits). When I picked him up for his interview, I brought the clothes, but I forgot the good shoes he told me to bring, so he was mortified going to the interview in scruffy old sneakers. The interviewer came to get him and introduced herself, and I said something about my son being mad at me because I forgot his shoes. She laughed and said, “No-- our dress code specifically allows them all to wear anything they want on their feet-- some kids wear flip flops all year-- so he fits right in!” It was a good start.</p>
<p>When we visited Deerfield everyone was dressed very nice. There was one girl who had a knit hat on, corduroys and sneakers …I was very surprised. When the AO came to get her she commented on the hat and the girl said she made it. I guess you just have to feel comfortable with what you have on. You only get to make one first impression!</p>
<p>@Daykidmom That sounds like something my Deerfield interviewer would say! Maybe they’re all as nice as her. :)</p>
<p>I have insisted that my kids wear something fairly conservative and dressy, but have not broken the bank at Brooks Brothers or J. Crew. My son didn’t own a blazer when he interviewed and frankly, I was wise not to invest in one, as he quickly outgrew the dress shirts and pants bought for the interviews. Some families may find it a hardship to purchase even one nice outfit. I know one girlfriend of dd’s who was going to wear sneakers -her only pair of shoes- until I bought her something else to wear. </p>
<p>I think AOs understand that kids are coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. An effort should be made to dress well, but our society is definitely trending toward casual even in business situations. You could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I saw someone at a professional conference wearing flip flops! Now I think they’d barely get a second glance. My opinion is that interviewees should lean toward too dressy rather than too casual, but it probably isn’t a huge deal.</p>
<p>What do you guys think it would be wise to wear for a formal school’s Skype interview? I’m thinking a nice shirt, maybe my brown blazer.</p>
<p>That sounds nice, SG3. Good luck!</p>
<p>O-kee-doke, thanks! It took me a minute to realize that I’m SG3. :D</p>
<p>I wore a blazer and a pencil skirt because I do speech and debate and I just happen to have a few blazers and skirts so I thought: why not?</p>
<p>I have my Exeter interview on Saturday and I need some criticism on what I am wearing. I am planning to wear this white cable knit hoodie, straighten my hair and wear it down, wear jeans (probably dark wash), a pair of simple flats, and pearl (fake) studs. I know appearance should not count for everything, but is this decent or too casual?</p>
<p>I hate to say it, but I think it’s too casual too. You might get away with dark (unripped) jeans and a blazer or cardigan. I suggest looking at theexeterdresscode.■■■■■■■■■■–a lot of kids ask what to wear to interviews.</p>
<p>Yes, too casual. No hoodie-- not even a knit hoodie–although a cardigan is ok if you don’t have a blazer. And anything other than jeans or sweats-- pants, skirt, anything? The flats , earrings, etc. are fine-- although, if you’re also doing a tour, remember you’ll have to walk on snow/ice, so you might be more COMFORTABLE in boots. But flats are fine if you’re not walking around outside.</p>
<p>Thanks! I will most definitely change this outfit up. @stargirl- I am now addicted to the Tumblr, I am getting a lot of ideas from it, so thank you for the link!!</p>