Lawrenceville Interview with the Dean of Admissions

Cristian007 · February 2018

I was recently offered an interview with Lawrenceville's Dean of Admissions (I believe they have already seen my application because I submitted it about a month ago). Is this a positive for acceptance?

AllSmiles2 · February 2018

As to my knowledge, schools do not begin reading applications until a fixed date. Submitting it earlier does not mean they read it earlier (to my understanding so correct me if I'm wrong).

There's a lack of details here, so I don't know if the interviewer was randomized or not. I'm guessing that they liked what they saw in your application, and want to grasp a better understanding of who you are. However, don't let this get to your head. You should never be sure about anything until you open that letter on March 10th. Good luck!

Publisher · February 2018

I do not know why Lawrenceville is requesting that you interview with the Dean of Admissions. My best guess, after reading your profile, is that Lawrenceville wants to see if they are among your top 3 choices of boarding schools, and, if so, they may be considering you for a special scholarship.

Based on your posted profile, you should be accepted to most, possibly all, of your targeted schools. To which other schools did you apply ? (As you only gave a partial list before that did not include Lawrenceville.)

preppedparent · February 2018

I wouldn't read too much into it. My student had an interview with the Dean of Admissions at SPS who told me point blank she wasn't what they were looking for. True, he hadn't seen her application yet, and he made a snap decision. But my point is that they divide the apps among the interviewers, and it could be that randomly he got your app. Don't try to read the tea leaves, or you'll be disappointed. Any interview is an opportunity to shine. Good Luck. Hope it works out if L'ville is one of your top choices.

Publisher · February 2018

In other thread started by OP, it stated that Lawrenceville had waived any interview requirement.

OP: Posted impressive stats including a 96 SSAT.

Cristian007 · February 2018

Thank you very much, Publisher! So my final list of schools I decided to actually apply to are: Taft, Loomis Chaffee, Lawrenceville, Exeter, Choate, and Fountain Valley School of Colorado (only reason I am applying to FVS is as its only 30 min from my house and it acts as my safety school)

preppedparent · February 2018

Good Luck. Please circle back and let us know where you land.

snapchat · February 2018

Actually, schools sometimes to read your applications before the due date. When I went to WFS (school in Virginia) my interviewer said it was his first time reading an application which was mine and said he was very impressed with my writing

. I guess it depends on each school, you never know.

ChoatieMom · February 2018

Because interviews are required at most schools (may be waived in a few cases if impossible to schedule), the request for an interview is not as much a “positive for acceptance” as it is a positive for checking off a necessary box. Enjoy the conversation with the interviewer but there is nothing unusual about the interview setup.

gardenstategal · February 2018

A 96 SSAT does not guarantee admission at any school. Speaking from experience!

It may indicate a greater likelihood of being able to do the work. It says nothing about fit, which is often what the interview can help determine.

I agree that the admissions staff probably divides up interviews that need to be done. I would read nothing into which member of the staff was assigned to you.

Enjoy the conversation.

Cristian007 · February 2018

I would like to add that my interview was first waived and then about three weeks after submitting my application I was emailed requesting that I’d have a Skype interview.

preppedparent · February 2018

<<Taft, Loomis Chaffee, Lawrenceville, Exeter, Choate, and Fountain Valley School of Colorado >>

All good choices. keep an open mind, and heart...any of these would be a great opportunity!

ChoatieMom · February 2018

I would like to add that my interview was first waived and then about three weeks after submitting my application I was emailed requesting that I’d have a Skype interview.

Doesn’t signify anything. Could mean that the person sending the request for the Skype interview did not see the waiver and was just lining you up for that requirement. Could mean the interview was first waived because they felt your paper app was strong enough without it but, when they started looking at the rest of the competition, decided they needed to talk to you in person to get another view of you against the applicant pool. See how you can make up almost any scenario?

Also, after the interview, do not try to read the tea leaves even if they gush over how well you did and how they can see you on their campus and how well you would fit into their community, etc. If you dig a bit here, you will find examples of interviewers who said these things (even ADs) and ended up with rejections as well as those who thought they completely blew the interview but were accepted.

Just enjoy the conversation. It doesn’t matter what you talk about, the school is trying to get a better sense of “you.”

Cristian007 · February 2018

@ChoatieMom Thank you very much for your input! The interview went great and he put me in contact with the economics professor, students from my area, and Lawrenceville's investment club president. Though, I'll make sure to not read into it as I definitely agree with you that I shouldn't get my hopes up just to receive a rejection in a month. I appreciate your help and support immensely!

Publisher · February 2018

@Cristian007: Based on your posts, especially the last one, I would be shocked if you were not admitted. Plus, your SSAT score is outstanding & will help.

Publisher · February 2018

@Cristian007: Did you have any other interviews ? Have you visited any of the schools besides Fountain Valley ? How did you decide upon these particular boarding schools ? Thanks !

Publisher · February 2018

I ask because I am a bit curious based on your list as to the missing "usual suspects".

Also, I tried to encourage a friend's son to apply to Taft & Loomis Chaffee, but he decided to apply to others based on internet searches.

ChoatieMom · February 2018

I would be shocked if you were not admitted.

Lot’s of shock and awe on M10, @Publisher. If you go back over the results for previous years, lots of high stats, high-achieving kids with lots of head-scratching rejections (99%-ers, too), so we parents here are careful about setting expectations. We tell the kids to put together the best applications they can, cast a wide net, and they will know their results on M10. Before then, it’s all speculation regardless of how stellar the applicant may appear on CC.

Cristian007 · February 2018

@Publisher Thank you! Yes, I had interviews with Choate, Taft, Exeter, and Lawrenceville. I have not been able to visit the schools as I only live with my father and he's been extremely busy this year. However, I will be going to the revisit days if I get accepted to any of the schools. The only reason I am missing the "usual suspects" is due to the fact I just didn't feel as Deerfield, Groton, and Andover were places that'd I be happy at and they just didn't feel like the right fit. Moreover, I was going to still apply to them put as I kept procrastinating I was left no time to write essays for those three schools by their deadlines. I believe Taft and Loomis Chaffee are simply great schools, academically and as of environment. This is due to them not being overly large though still maintaining the academic rigor of schools like Exeter. As a result, you get a community based AND academically rigorous school, something I believe would be more difficult to find at Exeter and Choate.

Publisher · February 2018

I reread your other thread which shared your background info. I will be a bit shocked if you receive anything but positive reviews.

Our main concerns were academic quality & high percentage of boarding students. Didn't apply to as many schools as you have.

Hotchkiss might have been an interesting option for you to consider based on your trading interests.

Publisher · February 2018

EDIT: I meant "positive results".

Lawrenceville Interview with the Dean of Admissions

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