<p>I’m an 8th grader applying to some non-parochial high schools in California, and I’m starting my student visits very soon. In fact I’m starting my first one in two weeks! I really don’t know what to expect, and what the faculty or admissions committee (is that the extended version of “adcom”?) is looking for. I’d really appreciate any suggestions, advice, anything that you want to share. I’d love to hear about any of your experiences as well. </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>P.S. Please let me know if I need to be more specific.</p>
<p>Are you talking about day schools? Mostly you will just visit and tour the school. You may be speaking with an Admissions staffer depending upon the size of the school and if they require interviews. </p>
<p>Just be yourself. It is nothing like college admissions. Ask about areas that interest you.</p>
<p>Oh, I remember prep school interviews. Really, they aren’t that bad. Just be yourself. Answer their questions honestly and talk about things that you enjoy. Most of all tho, make sure you take a look at the school and see if it’s what you want. The people and the teachers there are going to be really important to you for the next four years, so make sure you feel like its a fit. Just relax, no need to stress yourself out.</p>
<p>We toured excellent private high schools as part of our kids applying to them a few years back. I agree that the tour is a great opportunity to help decide whether you would comfortably fit in at each of the schools. After my kids were accepted at the schools, they were offered an opportunity to visit each school & “shadow” a student in the grade they would be entering (9th). The schools matched something about the guide with each of our kids, so they had something in common–interest in music, soccer, scientific interests, etc. The shadowing afforded a good opportunity to get a better “feel” for the school, since they attended classes & lunched with their guide.</p>
<p>For my kids, the tour of the school did not include the interview–that was a separate visit. The school I liked better (& the one they chose to attend) is the one where after they finish interviewing the student, they speak with the parent. I felt that helped the interviewer get a more accurate view of each student, especially if the student is shy or has unusual circumstances they didn’t discuss during the interview.</p>
<p>Since the kids were entering 9th grade, I let each of them choose where they wanted to apply & attend. They chose well & we are all happy with their selections.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visits! In our case, the visits are mostly a marketing/PR opportunity for the school to give you all the reasons for choosing them. They want a large applicant pool & most have a pretty high admission rate. The schools my kids applied to admit 1 in 5, but there are many others which admit a much higher % (you or your family can get info about the # of applicants & spaces in the grade you’re entering from the school). Admission to the schools were based on SSAT test results, application (including info about ECs), transcript from current school & recommendations from current/recent teachers.</p>