<p>I just recently decided to try for boarding school in the USA (I live in China), and I didn't know anything about the application process and everything... I've already signed up to take the SSAT's in December. But I haven't scheduled any interviews or filled out any application forms yet... and I think it might be a little too late for some interviews.</p>
<p>I just want to know, is it absolutely necessary to get an interview the the school you are applying to?</p>
<p>And what are the consequences of not scheduling an interview?</p>
<p>One of the schools I'm applying to is Hotchkiss, and I know it's going to be really hard for me, but I just want to give it a shot. It's too late to schedule interviews, but they are having a reception soon, and I should be going to that... and maybe I'll get to have a short interview or something then. But I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Call and discuss with the schools you are applying to. They may arrange an alum interview, a phone interview or even wave it but you need to let the school make that decision otherwise your applications may be considered incomplete.</p>
<p>Definitley not too late for interviews - don’t know of any schools that are not still conducting them. If distance is an isssue - suggest SKYPE. Many schools are “skyping” interviews, especially for international applicants.</p>
<p>Yes, you must have an interview. Most schools offer Skype interviews, but it puts students at a disadvantage to do this. </p>
<p>I’ve asked a few schools if they ever accept any of the Skype or phone interview candidates, and some tell me flat out no, others say they have done it in unusual circumstances, or from under represented countries, or from low income US students, but it’s unusual. You can interview throughout January, it might be worth it to schedule a trip if you are serious about the school</p>
<p>^^That’s a myth. No one has more reasons than international students to have an alum/phone/skype interview. If the school allows it, they wouldn’t discriminate you just because you can’t be on campus for an interview. I personally know a few who were accepted by top schools after off campus alum interviews. Interview is only a small piece of the application after all. It’s an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are a nice normal person who can fit in a boarding community and you have good communication skills. The rest of the application - grades, scores, recs, essays etc. are the real deal that determines whether you will be admitted. If it is not too much of a stretch financially by all means come to the campus, otherwise save the money for the tuition. Trust me, you wouldn’t be accepted just because you could make your way to the campus.</p>
<p>My observation is that the BS’s do everything they can to make it easier for students to complete all the applications requirments. An increased number of completed applications translates to a lower acceptance rate calculation - something they all like to publish.</p>
<p>Admission of international students, especially those from over represented countries, is an entirely different game. While expecting almost all of these international students to pay in full, I am not sure how much the schools are willing to accommodate (in real sense, not just for the show) families who can’t afford to travel to visit schools or meet admission officers. I know HEADS admitted quite a few students from some prominent families of China, same as Ivies.</p>
<p>DAndrew, An alumni interview is not the same thing as a phone or Skype interview. Newyorker22 commented on phone and Skype interviews.</p>
<p>All the boarding schools receive many applications from international students. The schools limit the number of applicants they’ll accept from overrepresented countries. Very little aid is available for the international student pool, thus it’s primarily comprised of families who can pay full tuition, and who can pay for travel. </p>
<p>Consider two groups of students from one country. The admissions committee can offer spots to 10 students. On paper, they are equally strong. One group of students met with admissions officers at a local fair, or traveled to the boarding school’s campus. The other group could have made the effort to meet with an admissions officer or alumnus, but did not. (Remember, schools are concerned about yield.) Which students are more likely to commit to the school, and show up on campus in September?</p>