I came across this post on another thread and wondered about it
"I suggest you have your interviews earlier (all before January). "
Why might that be? When did you or your DC interview and why?
By way of background…
DC is in 8th grade at a local private k-8. Current school recommended a list of schools to consider based on DC’s very strong academics and scores and the school’s prior matriculations. We visited/toured all of them last spring. DC attended a few summer programs, etc.
DC thought that interviewing in January would be the best, since it gives the most time to practice. Plus SSATs come first (later this month), then finishing up the semester with best possible grades, then, right after ThxG, DC planned to focus on essays, and finally interviews (since they can even occur after application deadlines).
Thanks for replying, SGOPAL2. I have to check with DC but I think DC already booked all but one, and chose January spots. What do you mean by “too late”?
Not that this will help you (as it’s too late for this cycle), but 7D1 interviewed in the summer and I think that was a good move. Here’s why: instead of the waiting room full of eager prospects/parents, there are only a handful of other visitors (if that). So I felt like the AO was able to spend time with us in a way that mostly did not happen at the “during the fall/winter” interview window.
Some folks disagree with this, as they feel that seeing a campus when class is in session is important. I’m not saying that isn’t important, just that we felt we got more, un-rushed, personal attention from the AO during the summer visits (speaking generally, of course…we only visited SAS once in the fall and had an excellent experience all around).
We made a second visit during the fall to every school that made our cut based on summer visits. Note (again, more for future applicants as the date has passed): I found the Columbus Day weekend to be a BAD one for visits…since public schools have the Monday off, but most BS do not, it made for VERY crowded admissions offices.
Also, at the most popular schools, the slots do fill up fast. I called in (mid?) November for one school and was given a January slot.
Hmm, summer interviews, that’s a good idea; I see your point about the luxury of time.
Well, DC doesn’t want to miss a second of school during this first term, so at best we’d be talking about moving the Jan. slots DC already booked up to Dec. slots. I can’t see why Dec would be any better than Jan? (DH and I have very flexible schedules and all schools are driving distance).
BTW, I really appreciate having a place to go to ask about such minutiae. I don’t want DC’s school to think I am a PITA so I try to refrain from bugging them!
For us, the interviews were part of the process of deciding which schools to actually apply to. Or I suppose to be more accurate, visiting the schools was part of that process, and when you visit, you interview. Why bother to do the essays for a school that you might end up not liking once you’ve been there in person and had a tour and interview? Plus, I’d always want to visit the school first so you get a better sense of the vibe and what attributes the value the most, so that can help shape the essays. For instance, if you visit a school and come away feeling that they’re really huge on community service, that might send your kid in a different direction for an essay for that school.
You also really don’t want to have your kid spend that much time “practicing” for the interviews, as they he will just sound too rehearsed, so there’s really no reason to put interviewing at the end of the process. Having gone through the BS application process twice now, we felt that visiting/interviewing in October/November was ideal – seeing different schools really helped our kids hone in on what they were looking for in a school, which then shaped the final list of schools to apply to, and was reflected in the essays they wrote (not just that they tried to play to some particular aspect of a school, but that the whole interview/visit process had made them much more self-aware, they could see what schools are looking for in applicants generally, and then reflect some of that in their essays).
Also, for what it’s worth, both my kids missed a fair bit of school for interviews – never multiple days at a time, but half a day here and there. Wasn’t an issue for them, though I laud your kid’s desire to never miss a moment of school! If all the schools you’re looking at are driving distance for you, you can let the admissions offices know that you’d love to get an earlier appointment if they have something free up. The schools all end up getting a fair number of cancellations – people change their minds about which schools to look at, something comes up at work, etc. So that might be another option for you if you end up reconsidering on the interviewing in January plan.
We interviewed during the summer because we happened to have time scheduled in the US. Note, however, that not all boarding schools offer summer interviews.
Same here. I interviewed at a school that is often mentioned here, but refused to apply based upon the visit/interview.
Hmm, that is an interesting point. We had been viewing the interviews as more one-way, but you are both right of course.
Do keep in mind that we visited all of the schools DC is interested in (and more) last spring, and had tours with students. We also attended open houses at some of the schools, and will be attending local receptions this month. DC has poured over the websites of the 5 that are of most interest, and in a few cases spoke to current students we happen to know through friends. DC’s current thinking is that, if they are lucky enough to have the chance, it will really be revisit day that is the most telling for them.
DC’s school recommends some interviewing practice, but I don’t think they or DC envision memorizing a soliloquy! More of how to make sure you get across the points you want to make, from what DC says.
Here in California, my daughter already had two in-person offsite interviews and scheduled to have another with admission officers from East Coast boarding schools. We scheduled the interviews while the AO is in town for admission events.
That was really nice for us. Not only that travels to East Coast are costly, but also she is struggling with her school work load and can’t even imagine taking couple of days off, even in the holidays.
Also, I can’t see how postponing it to January can work any better. She would have the same work load on top of finishing up her applications.
On a less related note, it has been my pleasure to watch her dedicating herself into the process as much as she can. She even bought a one-piece dress for her next interview. She has been a no-skirt girl.
This is an important point; you and your child are evaluating and getting to know the school as much as the school is getting to know you and your child in the interview. It IS a two-way street. Don’t be intimidated. You may be rejecting them.
Also, the dynamic changes at re-visit days. Where you might have felt under scrutiny during the interview, the school will be trying to woo you at re-visit days which is a very fun reversal. You and your student will be much more relaxed then, and you will be able to see and experience much more of the schools and campuses under no pressure. You can also use re-visit days to see if anything you might have considered a negative or off-putting during the initial tours are still founded when viewing through this different lens or, perhaps when you can really look under the hood, you may develop concerns that weren’t apparent on those first more timid visits.
In any case, I say the right time to schedule interviews is simply when they fit best into your schedule which, for Former CK, meant no on-campus interviews. He’s off to college and I have yet to see the inside of Choate’s admissions office.
@ChoatieMom That’s a shame because the Choate admissions office is beautiful Its bay windows are overlooking a pond. There are a huge JFK portrait, a bronze JFK sculpture, and his writing, etc.
St. Paul’s School has a beautiful old library as an admissions building.
NMH has a nice admissions building too. More importantly it’s close to the boys’ dorms so I can go use ladies room while visiting
I agree that the right time is when it is best for your schedule.
I agree that the fall is better for the luxury of time.
But some days are crowded even in the fall. It is disconcerting when the adimissions reception room feels like a doctor’s office in flu season full of anxious parents and children.
If possible, I would schedule the interview with an AO (Admission Officer) not with a faculty interviewer. I am not sure if you have control over that. Even in fall, some schools schedule some of the interviews with faculty.
Also, while there, I would suggeting meeting coaches, teachers in areas of your child’s interest, music/art/science etc.
We had interviews in September through November usually Friday, Saturday or Monday, using public school off days. We made some of the appointment as early as July for November appointments.
I also visited some schools in January in snow storm. The weather condition can be very bad for long driving.
@payn4ward: The problem with Choate’s admissions office is that it is housed in a girl’s dorm. We never had reason to go in there. Another regret: we never toured the Kohler Environmental Center. Because we live thousands of miles away, I doubt we’ll ever set foot on Choate’s beautiful campus again. I’ll always cherish the memories, though.
Payn, Yes, indeed, the Choate admin. building is quite impressive … as if one needed one more reason to moon away over Choate!
We are assuming a January like last year; eg all of our appointments are afternoon and if it is more than an hour or so away we will get a hotel the night before just in case.
What I mean by too late: don’t wait until the very end. Some adcoms start meeting in January to review application piles. Some will offer interviews until early Feb. Date depends on the school.
DC has booked them all. They all take place after the trimester ends Dec. 4, but before the Jan. 15 application deadlines (for most of the target schools) … so it is what it is I guess!
I never even considered this issue! We just went when we could get a day off to go. LOL I guess I was a bit naive, but we just took the process as it happened… and mostly according to what suited us (both in visiting, applying and deciding which school to attend). It is easy to get caught up in the “I want them to like me” thing, but ultimately you are the “customer”. Keep sight of that portion of the process. You need to spend time figuring out what works for you and where you feel your family resources (including time and money) will be best used.
Obviously, do what you need to to “sell yourself”, but remember, you also have a say in things. Don’t let the school or the fear of rejection dictate everything.
Well, London, than I have finally found a topic not already beaten to death! I uncovered fresh territory, WOW. Probably meaningless territory, but hey.
Yes, well, in the “privacy” of CC I can divulge that I am thinking about such things. I shield my DC and the school placement office from this folderol, lest they think me obsessive. Who, me?
Your point is well taken, London. And we have already rejected schools. But at this juncture, I think we are still primarily in a marketing role … and we become customers on revisit day (one hopes).
I understand that way of thinking. It is completely normal. No worries! I hope you didn’t take my post as criticism… I was just saying that you are entitled to be yourself in the process… The trick is in being yourself AND playing the game at the same time! LOL
Its bay windows are overlooking a pond. There are a huge JFK portrait, a bronze JFK sculpture, and his writing, etc.