What type of questions should we expect for parent interview?

[Anonymous]

Elementary admissions.

DH and I are used to professional meetings and interviews. We are the ones interviewing usually. Not sure what to expect for admissions for our child.

[Anonymous]

We were asked about DC’s interests (academic and non-), strengths and weaknesses, favorite subjects, and experience in their previous (at the time, current) school. We talked a little about their social personality (shy, takes a while to warm up — that did NOT prove to be a negative). DC also has a learning difference so we discussed that quite a bit to be sure the school was a good fit in terms of supports and accommodations, but that of course won’t be relevant for many students.

[Anonymous]

Ours were all the same:

- Tell me about your child
- Three words that describe your child (so annoying to get this AFTER the first one!)
- What are some challenges your child has faced
- What has your child's current school experience been like
- What are you looking for in your child's next school
- How have you participated in the community at current school
- In what ways/areas have you interacted with your child's teachers at current school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ours were all the same:

- Tell me about your child
- Three words that describe your child (so annoying to get this AFTER the first one!)
- What are some challenges your child has faced
- What has your child's current school experience been like
- What are you looking for in your child's next school
- How have you participated in the community at current school
- In what ways/areas have you interacted with your child's teachers at current school

We had similar questions most of the time. NC and Sidwell interviews felt a bit more like we as the family were being interviewed. What’s our background, how did we end up in the DC area, why independent schools in general, why Sidwell/NCS specifically, how did we feel about the Quaker/christian component etc.

I actually really enjoyed all my interviews. Lets you rave about your kid for a bit to a person that seems interested in knowing more. No “gotcha” kind of questions. Low stress. Time will tell whether my take on them translates to any admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours were all the same:

- Tell me about your child
- Three words that describe your child (so annoying to get this AFTER the first one!)
- What are some challenges your child has faced
- What has your child's current school experience been like
- What are you looking for in your child's next school
- How have you participated in the community at current school
- In what ways/areas have you interacted with your child's teachers at current school

We had similar questions most of the time. NC and Sidwell interviews felt a bit more like we as the family were being interviewed. What’s our background, how did we end up in the DC area, why independent schools in general, why Sidwell/NCS specifically, how did we feel about the Quaker/christian component etc.

I actually really enjoyed all my interviews. Lets you rave about your kid for a bit to a person that seems interested in knowing more. No “gotcha” kind of questions. Low stress. Time will tell whether my take on them translates to any admissions.

I am confused - I didn't think NCS does parent interviews? I asked multiple times this fall and they said it was not part of their process. I thought it was very weird. For what grade did you have an interview?

[Anonymous]

NCS interviews the children and then follows up with the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCS interviews the children and then follows up with the parents.

Follows up how, like with a phone call?

By interview, are you talking about the Saturday evaluation? My DD described math, reading, and writing testing, a group discussion (I believe the topic was favorite type of candy and why), and an observed group project, but said she never sat down with a grown-up one on one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours were all the same:

- Tell me about your child
- Three words that describe your child (so annoying to get this AFTER the first one!)
- What are some challenges your child has faced
- What has your child's current school experience been like
- What are you looking for in your child's next school
- How have you participated in the community at current school
- In what ways/areas have you interacted with your child's teachers at current school

We had similar questions most of the time. NC and Sidwell interviews felt a bit more like we as the family were being interviewed. What’s our background, how did we end up in the DC area, why independent schools in general, why Sidwell/NCS specifically, how did we feel about the Quaker/christian component etc.

I actually really enjoyed all my interviews. Lets you rave about your kid for a bit to a person that seems interested in knowing more. No “gotcha” kind of questions. Low stress. Time will tell whether my take on them translates to any admissions.

I am confused - I didn't think NCS does parent interviews? I asked multiple times this fall and they said it was not part of their process. I thought it was very weird. For what grade did you have an interview?

+1. I also did not think NCS does parent interviews.

[Anonymous]

This was for the lower school. They interviewed the girls, then asked parents to come in after the interview to give additional information. It was much shorter than my daughter's interview. They may have changed the format this year, but that's what we did last year.

[Anonymous]

I do t know if the process has changed, but NCS used to have what they called a “patent conversation” (rather than a formal “interview”) that was meant to be shorter and more relaxed than a typical parent interview.

[Anonymous]

I don't think student or parent interviews happened this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do t know if the process has changed, but NCS used to have what they called a “patent conversation” (rather than a formal “interview”) that was meant to be shorter and more relaxed than a typical parent interview.

I meant parent conversation, not patent. 😅

[Anonymous]

Many schools want to know that you've researched their academics, programs, community, etc. Just like a job interview, if the school asks you what made you apply, why did you choose them, why would you/your family be a good fit, how do you see yourself contributing (time, money, talent, being involved), and so forth- all makes you stand out.

Read online reviews, research on DCUM and other forums, ask around what the ideal student/family is for the school, find out who else you know personally who has children there or who has gone there (name drop), and so on- get as much info as you can to give yourselves an upper hand in the interview process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think student or parent interviews happened this year.

Our daughter interviewed this year for 6th. After the interview, we sat down with the interviewer and she highlighted what was talked about. We talked a little bit too but it wasn’t an extensive interview.

[Anonymous]

My kiddos are at two different schools (a PK-2 and a 3-12) but I recall both schools mostly “interviewing” my husband and I just by chatting as we toured the schools. For both schools, we tried to really just let our personalities and enthusiasm for the school show through. Kiddos were legacies at both schools, which helped give us a lot to talk about.