How to Prepare for School Admissions Interviews and Visits

The school admissions process often includes student and parent interviews and school visits. These interactions are crucial opportunities to present yourself, ask questions, and demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the school. Here are a few key ways to prepare for these important interviews and visits:

1. What to Research Ahead of Time

Before attending any interview or visit, take time to thoroughly research the school. Understanding the school’s mission, values, curriculum, and extracurricular programs will not only give you a clearer picture of the environment but also allow you to align your responses with what the school values. Pay particular attention to the following:

• The School’s Mission and Values: What does the school stand for? Are they focused on academic excellence, holistic development, or community service?
• The Curriculum: What is the academic focus of the school? Is there a strong emphasis on STEM, humanities, or the arts?
• Co- or Extra-curricular Activities: What clubs, sports teams, or artistic opportunities are available? Understanding these will help you think about how your child can contribute to the school community outside of the classroom.

2. Make Inferences About What Creates a Strong Candidate

Use the information you’ve gathered to make inferences about what kind of student the school is looking for. For example:

• Academic Focus: If the school places a heavy emphasis on standardized testing like the ISEE, they likely prioritize academic achievement. You’ll want to highlight your child’s academic strengths and commitment to learning.
• Co-Curricular Participation: If the school offers a wide range of extracurricular programs, they may value well-rounded students who are eager to participate in activities beyond academics. In this case, talk about your child’s interests in sports, clubs, or the arts and how they will contribute to the school community.

By understanding what the school values, you can tailor your responses to highlight your child’s strengths that align with their priorities.

3. Prepare to Answer ‘Why Do You Want Your Student to Attend This School?’

This is one of the most common questions asked during admissions interviews, so prepare a thoughtful answer. Consider:

• How does the school’s mission align with your family’s educational values?
• What specific aspects of the school’s curriculum or programs appeal to you and your child?
• How will the school help your child grow both academically and personally?

Having a clear, well-researched answer will show that you’ve seriously considered your child’s fit at the school.

4. Prepare Questions to Ask

Asking thoughtful questions during your interview shows that you’re genuinely interested in the school and that you’ve done your homework. Great questions often come from wondering about “experiences“, but also from the perspective of “opportunities” available at the school. Some examples include:

• What experiences do students have in the math classes here?
• What opportunities do students have to accelerate their math learning at your school?
• What kind of support does the school offer for students interested in specific extracurriculars, like theater or robotics?

For students in grades 5 and up, it’s important for them to do their own research as well. Encourage them to explore the classes they’ll be taking and come up with questions based on what excites or intrigues them. This shows initiative and a genuine interest in the school.

5. Encourage Students to Research Curriculum and Activities

Help your child review the school’s curriculum, which can often be found on the school’s website under the “Academics” or “Curriculum” sections. They should also explore any co-curricular activities and create questions about those programs. For example, they could ask:

• What kinds of projects do students in the science program work on?
• Are there opportunities to join art clubs or participate in school performances?

This level of preparation shows the school that your child is proactive and excited about learning.

6. Have Your Student Practice

Your child will be judged by how they present and what they present at a school visit. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have your student (at any age) practice for this qualitative evaluation. Some ways to practice include talking about the visit and its expectations (for younger students, this means telling them: show what you know; for older students, this means saying: make eye contact, smile, breathe, and share who you are and why you want to come to their school). The older the student, the more skills they will need to demonstrate with regard to introspection, expressive and receptive language, social and emotional skills and academics. 

7. Send Thank You Notes After the Visit

Always remember to send thank you notes after your interviews and school visits. This is a polite and professional gesture that shows your appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the school. Sending a thank-you email as soon as possible after the visit is perfectly fine and ensures the school knows you value their time.

Here is a template you can adapt: 

Dear {insert Ms/Mr/Dr. _____}, It was a pleasure to speak with you on {day}. We especially loved speaking about {insert conversation points here/say as much as you can – a great letter has many connective points}. We feel particularly connected to the school because of its {_____} give details here…{a strong thank you letter will provide details about the program as well as about what you learned in the interview and the preceding events] }. We look forward to continuing through the admissions process. Should you need any further information from us, do not hesitate to reach back out.

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Would you like to professionally prepare for your school interviews? Please contact us at Evolved Education Company to set up your consultation services!