Private School Interview | What to Expect
The world of private education can be a wonderful place for both you and your child. A high quality private education is more in demand today, than ever before. With so much demand and so few prestigious programs, many private schools have become quite selective in regards to their student body.
For families looking to give their kids a quality education, this can mean having to do a bit of work ahead of time. One of the ways that private schools decide which students should have access to the great opportunities available, is through an interview.
The interview process can be a stressful thing for families looking to find their dream school, however it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Stick around for the breakdown on everything you need to know before embarking on your own private school interview!
Be prepared to talk about your yourself
The interview opportunity for placement at a private school is really just a chance for the administration to sit down and get to know your child. Many private schools are close-knit communities, almost like a family. When deciding who to invite to join that family, many schools want to make sure that the individuals will fit well with the overall atmosphere and community of the institution.
When going into an interview for a private school, keep in mind that it is highly important to highlight your strengths, but to do so in a way that doesn’t seem fake. Most of the time, your student will be asked questions about their own interests and goals. These could be anything from “What’s your favorite subject” to “Tell us about the last book you read.”.
It’s important to go into the interview with a clear head and to really put forth your most honest answer, as if you were having a conversation with a family member. That being said, it’s not wrong to do your research ahead of time. It’s always a good idea to research the interview process of your prospective school before interviewing with them yourself.
Understand the way the interview is formatted
This one may seem like a bit of a no-brainer. When you think of an interview, it seems pretty cut and dry. They ask a question and you answer it. However, with private school interviews, this process can be a little different. Some schools will offer a private tour of the facilities before conducting the interview later the same day. Other schools may offer an opportunity to tour the school with a group and then schedule an interview later in the week.
Another thing to prepare for during the interview process at a private school is the possibility that your child may be interviewed one on one with the school administration. There is usually an age threshold for this kind of interview, however it’s important to make sure that your child is comfortable with this dynamic ahead of time.
Be ready to ask informed questions
While an interview is a time for schools to get to know their prospective students, it’s also a time for students and their families to connect with the school. If there are any burning questions that you’ve been waiting to ask, now is the time! The school interviewers and administrators are just as invested in this process as you are, most of these people truly want to give your child the best chance possible for success.
It’s always a good idea to go into a private school interview with a bit of background knowledge on the history of that institution. There are usually a variety of online resources that can be researched in advance of your interview, these include school websites, social media pages, and more.
Interviews can sometimes be full of nerves and you may be prone to forgetting an important question! In order to prevent this, you can always make a list of any important points that you or your child wishes to address during the interview process.
Remember to be as natural and relaxed as possible
One of the unfortunate things about the interview process is the fact that many people spend a lot of time stressing out about this, both adults and children included! Some parents go as far as to coach their children to rehearse potential interview questions and answers ahead of time. There are a lot of problems with this approach. Not only does it make the entire interview process less authentic, it also puts even more pressure on your child to ace their interview.
Interviewers at private schools have seen it all, and they’ll most likely detect that something is off if your child is giving pre rehearsed answers during the interview. The best thing that you can do to set your child up for success is to go into the interview as natural and relaxed as possible.
In conclusion, the entire point of the interview process is to find a private school that proves to be the best fit for both your child and your family. Every private school is different and some may be more in line with your values and goals than others. The key to finding the right one for you is to work hard to get to know each institution on a personal level. The interview process can be a great way to do that.
The interview process for private schools has long been associated with anxiety and stress, but it doesn’t have to be like that anymore. Supporting your child with positive reinforcement and coming into the interview with a clear head and prepared idea of what you want to address is a great way to make a long-lasting and positive impact on your prospective private school.
As you continue on your journey to finding your dream private school, it’s important to keep the above things in mind. From talking about yourself and asking questions, to understanding the interview process and working to stay relaxed, you can work to make your family’s private school search as smooth as possible!