Interview tips

My daughter is preparing the boarding school next year. As a mom, I can’t speak English fluently and my husband can speak English better than me. To the parents interview for applying process, is it okay only one parent with interviewer? We are not international family.

Alternatively, you should just not worry about it.

Your daughter is applying for admissions, not you. You clearly know English; they are not judging your proficiency.

We only did parent interviews at the schools we visited in person.

Most of our child’s boarding school interviews were done online, via Skype, FaceTime, GoogleHangouts or Zoom, because we couldn’t travel. They only interviewed the applicant, not the parent.

First of all it is fine for only one parent to go on the boarding school visit. That’s what we did. We can’t both take a day off from work and taking days off is easier for me so my husband didn’t get to tour any of the schools.

Secondly, skieurope is right, no one at these schools is going to think less of you because you don’t speak perfect English. Most boarding schools are used to dealing with international applicants and parents who don’t speak English. You will be fine if you choose to go.

Here is a tip: Do your homework @ the school before you interview. Know the history and be prepared for the interviewer to ask you (parent or student), “Do you have any questions?”.

If interviewer ask me “Do you have any question?”, what questions are good?

I always liked to ask about interactions between the day and boarding students and about the advisory system, for instance how often we’d hear from the advisor, what kinds of supports are available if a student fumbles.

Here are some questions you may consider asking:

  1. What qualities of an applicant stand out to you in the admissions process?
  2. What are some strengths that your accepted students have in common?
  3. What differentiates your community from others?
  4. What are examples of programs you have on campus that promote a sense of community?
  5. How is your school developing or changing the curriculum or course offerings for a changing future?
  6. If your own kids attend this school, what classes get them really excited about learning or where have you seen them mature the most?
  7. What are some of the biggest challenges that you sense students may have adjusting to boarding school?
  8. How often are set meetings between advisors and students freshman year or first year?
  9. When does the college planning start at your school? What kind of specializedcounseling do you have for student athletes?
  10. (If your kid is active in the performing or visual arts) What kind of performance opportunities are there? What type of support and counseling do you have for students needing to compile a PA video or VA portfolio for college?
  11. Does your school house students in dorms by class year or is a mix of grades? Which do you think is most beneficial to students and why?
  12. How important is well being and emotional support for your students and how do you meet this need?
  13. Are there Community Service opportunities for your students on campus or provided via the school?

It is really helpful. Thank you so much!

Don’t worry about the parent interview. Feel free to send only one parent if it is better for your family.

My final question at every school was, “What would you change about the school?” It is a simple question that sometimes yields good information about the school. Only one interviewer/admissions officer could not come up with something decent and actually constructive that could improve the school. There was only one reddish flag but I suspect the issue exists at many of the most rigorous schools.

Thank you for this detailed post.