How to Ace the Interview

Photo: Courtesy of La Pietra

First off, don’t over-prepare. “Sometimes, parents unintentionally cause their children stress before the interview with well-meaning, last-minute advice,” says Alaina Cunningham, La Pietra’s director of enrollment. “Try to focus those last-minute car-ride comments on positive reinforcement.” Responses should sound natural, not robotic. There are no right or wrong answers—the school wants to get to know your child, and the interview is just one part of the admission process. While some schools only speak one-on-one with kids, others such as Assets School include parents to learn more about the student’s learning profile from multiple perspectives.

Interviews with younger children may focus more on social readiness or consist of observed play, while middle and high schoolers will likely have more focus on academics. Regardless of age, here are nine tips to help you make the most of this meeting.

Interviewing Tips

1. Explain to your child what will happen during the interview. If you’re changing schools, make sure your child understands that. Tell them they may be going with and talking to another adult. Sometimes younger students will cry when they realize they’re going to be separated from their parents, so the heads-up is vital. “The interview focuses on getting to know the student as an individual, Cunningham says—“what their interests are, current school experiences and academic aspirations.” They should be prepared to talk about what they want from a school.

2. Practice with a mock interview. Even the bubbliest kids can get shy when being asked questions by a stranger. Ask a family friend to help with a few practice sessions. But don’t rehearse or script answers.

3. Get to know the school ahead of time. Find out what types of programs it offers so you can ask specific questions. Parents should also prep their child to talk about what the individual private school focuses on so they can tell the interviewer why they want to attend. Be aware of the school’s mission and philosophy.

4. Pay attention to the details of the process. Read through the information the school sends you about the interview and assessments or tests thoroughly so you can tell your child what to expect. Make sure to meet any deadlines. If the interview is virtual, test your technology beforehand.

5. On interview day, don’t overdress. Kids should look presentable but be comfortable, since they may be asked to play or work during the interview, depending on the age of the child. Look up the school’s dress code and wear something similar.

6. Have your child get a good night’s sleep. The day of the interview, be sure your child eats a good breakfast. And if the interview is scheduled during your child’s worst time of day, don’t be afraid to ask to reschedule—as long as you give the school enough notice.

7. Let your child speak for him- or herself. Some parents put too much pressure on their kids to answer questions a certain way. “Our biggest tip is to keep the experience low-pressure. We really want prospective students to feel comfortable being themselves during the assessment, so there’s no need for any special preparation,” says Cait Mates, director of admissions and administration at Roots School. “Framing it as a chance to meet a new teacher and explore the school can help keep things light and positive.”

8. Don’t count on every interview being the same. Parents will often ask other parents who are also enrolling their child in the same school, “Hey, what questions did the interviewer ask your child?” But questions may change, so don’t get too wrapped up in someone else’s experience.

9. Prepare for the possibility of rejection. Keep your disappointment in perspective. You don’t want your anxiety to rub off on your child. Remember that there are limited spots and many different roads to success. A kindergarten rejection is not likely to dictate your child’s future.