<p>I’m applying to boarding school and wondering what kind of questions they ask and what the interviews are like, specifically at:
-Blair Academy
-Emma Willard
-Brooks
-Pomfret
-St Georges
Thanks!
(my grades are all A’s and B’s and i also had one C but that never happens)</p>
<p>Be prepared for a lot of why questions, and mostly just try to be yourself. The interview is not the most important part of the application process.</p>
<p>Be careful about that C-- you may find it comes up in the interview, so you’ll want to have a decent explanation, particularly since you claim that it never happens. </p>
<p>This question has been asked and answered pretty much every application cycle I’ve been active on the forum. Use the search tool and you should come up with a few threads.</p>
<p>And to say that the interview is not the most important part of the process is misleading. It might not be #1, but it is the only way for the AO to actually get to know you personally. </p>
<p>For some reason, I had this file on my computer…don’t know where it originated or if I compiled/adapted a college list.</p>
<p>20 Questions for Boarding School Interviews</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What three adjectives would your best friend use to describe you?</p></li>
<li><p>What have you enjoyed most about your middle school years?</p></li>
<li><p>How have you grown or changed?</p></li>
<li><p>What activities have you found most satisfying?</p></li>
<li><p>What things do you do well? What are your talents?</p></li>
<li><p>What strengths would you most like to develop?</p></li>
<li><p>Have any of your courses challenged you? Which ones? How?</p></li>
<li><p>What achievements have given you satisfaction?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you respond to academic pressure or competition?</p></li>
<li><p>What would you change about your school if you had the chance?</p></li>
<li><p>What do you do for relaxation? For fun?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you define success?</p></li>
<li><p>How would you describe your family? Your community?</p></li>
<li><p>What do you want to accomplish in the years ahead?</p></li>
<li><p>What issues concern you?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there any book, article, or creative work that has had an impact on you?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there an author, activity, or field you’ve explored in depth?</p></li>
<li><p>Have you had any stimulating intellectual experiences recently?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you spend your summers?</p></li>
<li><p>If you had a year to do anything you wanted, what would you do?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I believe interviews are EXTREMELY important. Majority of applicants are similar in grades and achievements so the interview really sets them a part. The person interviewing is the only person that will be in the admissions room during decision time. They will push for your child if they connect with your child. I also know that many interviewers don’t like the student to be too well prepared for the interview. Memorizing the schools mission statement is not a way to show the school who the student really is. My daughter interviewed at a few on your list. Being a good conversationalist is best</p>
<p>Also…it is not a terrible idea to check out the website (past the home page) and have a few questions prepared that show that you have done your homework about the school (demonstrated interest).</p>
<p>Remember in addition to the conversation to be polite. Remember to say please and thank you, open doors for your interviewer/tour guide. Show you are a good citizen. It will speak volumes.</p>
<p>If your academics are good with test scores but you don’t have any strong hook that makes you tick, an interview is probably most important. It is the only chance you can let them know how attractive you are. They don’t necessarily accept most academically qualified candidates. They would build a class based on several different criteria. Your ‘quality’ as a person can be well noticed during an interview process. Good luck. </p>
<p>+1 to SevenDad’s comment about doing your homework on the school ahead of time. Be prepared to explain why you want to go to that school in particular. And have questions that can’t be answered by simply having looked at the school’s website. So for instance, don’t ask “does [School] have a field hockey team”? Instead “how would you describe” questions are good – like “how would you describe the relationship between students and faculty at [School]?” That asks the interviewer to give their personal opinion on something, so even if the website says something about the topic, you’re asking a different question.</p>