Your guide to San Diego private school education
Top Ten Interview No-Nos
A common component of the admissions process for most private schools in San Diego is an interview between the prospective family and an admissions officer. Depending upon the school and the age of the child, the admissions officer might ask to meet privately with the parents and then with the child, or the interview could be a more informal conversation with the whole family.
The interview is often the most anxiety-ridden hurdle for families, but it doesn’t need to be. Just as you would never show up for a job interview without doing your homework (so to speak), preparation is key for a successful school interview. Therefore, we’ve compiled our TOP TEN NO-NOs FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL INTERVIEWS to help you prepare. (Just to be clear – these are things that you should NOT do!)
- Call and schedule your interview two days before the application deadline. Usually a completed application file includes an interview, so make the interview appointment as early as possible to ensure that you are able to complete the requirement well before the deadline, even if something comes up and you need to reschedule.
- When you call to schedule your interview, demand that the school accommodate your request for a meeting the next day. Admissions season is busy – and even hectic – for admissions offices, and it gets even busier as you get closer to the application deadline. When you call for your appointment, have a couple of possible days and times to offer within the next couple of weeks. Calling with the expectation of booking an appointment for the next day is not only unrealistic but it can also make a bad first impression with the admissions office.
- Be prepared to stonewall any questions that try to get to know more about your family, or simply give yes or no answers to questions. The school wants to know more about you and your family so that they can determine if you are a good fit for each other. They may ask you, the parents, to describe your child, share your educational goals for your child, and explain why you think the school is a good match.
- Answer any and all questions directed at your child, especially if she is older than six or seven years old. While the school definitely wants to learn more about your hopes and dreams for your child, they will probably also want to hear from your child. If she is old enough, the school may ask about hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations, previous educational experiences, personal strengths and weaknesses, and why this school is a good fit.
- Let the admissions officer know that your best friend’s cousin lives next door to someone who is VERY well-connected to the school. A school’s number one goal is to find students who can succeed and contribute as a member of their learning community. Whether a child is or is not a good fit, the connections should not matter. However, if you think that it is important that the school know about your connection, a more subtle approach would be to bring it to their attention through a reference letter from the connected person addressed to the school.
- Mention that you might be interested in making a significant donation toward their new gymnasium construction project. Schools take their reputations very seriously. The last thing they want is the appearance of impropriety when it comes to their admissions process. And if you try to buy your way in to one school, they will assume that you’ve tried it at others. If you are serious about wanting to make a donation, wait until your child has been accepted. The school will be thrilled to have a new family making such a financial commitment toward the future.
- Don’t tell the admissions officer that your child has a significant learning disability. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: admissions officers at private schools are looking for students who can succeed at their schools. Many parents don’t share this information, thinking that once the child is accepted the school will take care of things. In reality, though, if a school is not equipped with the specialized staff or facilities that your child needs, they’re probably not going to build a program just for your child. Since you want what’s best for your child, keep looking until you find the right program.
- Wear your sweaty gym gear to the interview. You raced over directly from your spinning class, and you’re only ten minutes late. This is San Diego, after all. Dressing for success is key to a school interview, no matter the location. While there is no need to pull out the tuxedo or the cocktail dress, this is the time to look smart and pulled together, much as you would for a business interview. Remember, private school admissions is a business and you only get one chance to make that all-important first impression. Let your external appearance enhance the substance of what you and your child bring to the interview. And do we really need to mention that you should arrive on time, no matter what? If something unforeseen does happen that might cause you to be late – like an accident on the 5 freeway – give the school a call and let them know.
- Answer your cell phone and send texts during your interview. Admissions offices are busy places, yet they have cleared their calendar for the duration of your interview so that they can focus on you and your family. Return the favor and give them your undivided attention. After all, most interviews only last 20-30 minutes. Unless you’re expecting a call from a patient awaiting a transplant, turn the electronic devices off. Wait a minute – why aren’t you at the hospital?
- Let the admissions officer know that this school is your back-up option in case you don’t get in to your first (or second or third) choice. When you make your short list of schools that you are considering for your child, try to keep an open mind when you go in to the interviews. Listen to what each of the schools has to say. You never know – the school that was originally at the bottom of your list may quickly move up based upon what you learn. The last thing you want to do is hurt your chances of getting in because the school thinks that you aren’t seriously considering them.
4 Responses to “Top Ten Interview No-Nos”
Leave a Reply
got any sample interview questions that students should think about?
Great idea! I’ll make that my next article.
Our interview is coming up very soon and we’ve all been stressed out. Nice to feel more prepared after reading this.
Hi John – I’m glad it helped! You might find another recent post helpful, too. Take a look at Five Fundamentals of the Student Interview.