<p>So... I'm having interviews for Exeter and Andover in a few days and was wondering how to prepare.</p>
<p>What type of things do interviewers usually ask? Do I need to make preprepared answers for questions they may ask? Will I be ok if I don't. The way my parents make it sound, I will have no chance if I don't preprepare paragraph long answers to things they may ask.</p>
<p>So basically, what happens during an interview.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>PS I would appreciate answers ASAP (like within the next couple hours).</p>
<p>pm me what day you are interviewing at exeter (if you feel comfortable). I might see you!</p>
<p>Here are some I have heard in interviews:</p>
<p>What is your favorite subject/class in school?
What do you do for fun?
What books have you currently read?
What have you been doing over the summer?
What made you decide to apply to (insert school name here)?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you feel you would contribute to the school community at (insert school name)?
What do you like to do outside of school?
How would your teachers/friends describe you?
If you could go back in time and speak to any historical figure, who would it be and what would you say?
What other schools are you considering applying to?
Do you have any questions?</p>
<p>I can’t think of any more right now. But good luck!</p>
<p>@markalex1
I’m having my interview at Andover in two weeks and one at Exeter in three. I asked a girl I know who interviewed at Andover about what they during the interviews. She told me that they ask you who are your role models, why do you want to come to this school, what are your favorite subjects, what are your interests, what do you want to do when you grow up, etc. I’m not sure about the “what do you want to do when you grow” up question. However I’m sure about the role model one. I’m preparing answers, but I’m not going to write out a long paragraph and memorize it.
Good luck btw, hope you get in.</p>
<p>Like ifax said **don’t **write out something and memorize it but just read over these questions and think of what you could say and how you want your self portrayed.</p>
<p>@markalex1, Here’s how my interviews basically all played out.</p>
<p>First, the interviewer asks you about where you’re from. They ask you what you like/dislike about your hometown. Then they ask about your school, and what you like/dislike about it.</p>
<p>Then, they’ll ask a question about boarding school in general, such as “how did you decide on applying to boarding school” or “what do you think a boarding school can offer you?”</p>
<p>At my Exeter interview and my Andover interview, they made me fill out a form of my interests. The interviewer proceeded me to ask me about each of my interests/hobbies.</p>
<p>They might ask a few other questions, see 2010’s post.</p>
<p>I interviewed for both last year and got into andover
Andover questions:
Tell me about yourself
What are your interests?
What have you been doing in school recently?
ps. Good thing for andover is to look up clubs and community service opportunities on the website (andover.edu) and tell them you want to do this, that, etc. Worked for me!</p>
<p>Exeter questions:
How would you describe yourself?
How would your classmates describe yourself?
How would your teacher describe yourself?
What are your grades like?
I interviewed with dean of admissions (Tall, african american guy) so if you get him he will probably ask the same questions…
Good Luck!</p>
<p>Oh yea and one more point, if the person asks you if you have anymore questions don’t say “No, I’m cool” Ask as many questions as possible. Even ask questions you know the answers too. If the interviewer sees that you are interested in the school that is very good.</p>
<p>Also wear proper clothes! A collared shirt at the least. I saw a kid wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and a north face jacket at L’ville and the admissions people were certainly not impressed…</p>
<p>Thats fine I basically wore the same but with a jacket and a tie (In the Winter). Also remember to keep eye contact with the person and if you can’t do it just stare at their nose.</p>
<p>@markalex, for Exeter and Andover, that would be perfectly fine. But at schools with stricter dress codes, I saw a lot of guys who were being interviewed wearing suites (with ties and everything)…</p>
<p>At least 90% of the guys interviewing that we saw at 12 very different schools last year, with all kinds of dress codes, were wearing khaki pants, blue blazer with a tie.</p>
<p>Make sure you dress-up! This is very important. It shows that you are taking the application seriously. A tie is a must if the dress code explicity states that ties are required.</p>
<p>It is better to be overdressed than underdressed.</p>
<p>Having just toured/interviewed a few of the top tier schools with our daughter, a few words of advice:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you are up in that area, you owe it to yourself to visit St. Paul’s (Concord, NH). An interesting contrast to Exeter, IMO. For whatever reasons, Andover was not on our short list…</p></li>
<li><p>I second the people who suggest over-dressing vs. under. I saw a few prospects at schools wearing cargo shorts/short shorts, and t-shirts and was quite surprised. I know it’s summer and all, but I think wearing pants (or a skirt) and a collared shirt or blouse are essential. It shows respect. That said, if you don’t often wear suits or are extremely uncomfortable in a suit or wearing a tie, I might advise just khakis, a button down shirt, and a blazer…otherwise you’ll feel awkward and that will affect your comfort level. Also note that in the summer, the staff themselves might adopt a more relaxed dress code, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should.</p></li>
<li><p>Definitely do your homework on each school. Look at the course catalogs online and see if anything in particular strikes your fancy. If you are truly interested, you should have dug past the superficial facts by the time you get to the interview.</p></li>
<li><p>Be able to speak to favorite classes/subjects, even though you aren’t currently in school.</p></li>
<li><p>Have a few core questions that you ask of every school, so you can compare responses.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thrilled to hear you like St. Paul’s. My brother went to Exeter. My son and I want to SPS. Two nephews at Andover. All different. A tour will give you a feeling for the atmosphere, but summer is tough. See them with students. Ask if you can observe a class, and hang around before and after. They will not object.</p>
<p>I agree with your comment about respect. Always better to over dress a bit. </p>
<p>I would add that when and if you decide you like a particular school, tell them. Write a note. Get it in their files. They want to know that you want them. It is a two way street. </p>
<p>Also try to avoid the really stupid or demeaning questions. If you have them, ask people here anonymously. Better yet do it in a PM. Be aware that some admissions people DO read postings here and I know for a fact that there are posters that are on the faculty. So choose carefully and watch what you post.
[an alum and barely former parent]</p>
<p>Review some of the ones people here have posted recounting things they wished they had never asked. There have been lots of examples people have posted citing their own embarrassment and regret. People sometimes freeze and ask the most amazing things! I would have to go back and look. Some have been pretty funny and in most cases the AO’s understand it is just nervousness.</p>
<p>Here’s a story my son told me. While walking to the gym with two of his Andover classmates, he heard a nervous voice calling out to them. “Any last minute advice before my interview?” The voice belonged to a boy standing in the parking lot of the Shuman Admissions Center. His father was standing sternly behind him, arms crossed. My son’s friend gave a simple reply, “Just be yourself”.
The wisdom behind these three words are many. First, the boy should relax. You are who you are. You are not going to lie or be pretentious about things you have or have not done. The admissions committee is adept at getting to the truth. Prior to the interview go through all the things that you like to do, how you did well in it, and feel confident about it. Focus on passions that come from within yourself. If you go away to school your parents are not going to be there to tell you what to do. The admissions committee is looking for independence and initiative. Discuss this with intimate friends and relatives and you will feel good about yourself and you will be prepared for the interview.</p>
<p>I agree with brandenburg5 “about being yourself”. With two caveats…I would be sure to not lapse into a more casual mode of speaking as you might with friends. More like your friends’ parents or your parents’ friends.</p>
<p>Also, if you are not the sort of person who ordinarily speaks at length or with any depth about your own accomplishments or interests, practice speaking to someone about them. My own D was a bit shy when we reviewed possible questions with her, but I think did very well (in terms of being loquacious enough) in the actual interviews.</p>