St. John's Benilde Program - interview?

[Anonymous]

I have a current student in Benilde. It is my understanding that they interview all of the applicants, but that was from information I gleaned last year. Our child didn't get an interview scheduling request until later in the process, but still got in. Kid has had a wonderful experience so far! He loves the school and we love the program.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like most people who get an interview get in.

[Anonymous]

My friend's child had what she called an appointment, and both sides thought it was not a good fit.
The child had a less common learning disability (but a high IQ).

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

Can anyone share information about the interview process? We have an interview coming up and wanted to prepare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I remember from speaking with representatives during the open house:
Interview is important. They want to make sure the student is committed to the program and it is not just the parent.
If you are not selected for an interview, you may still be in the pool for admission - just not to the Benilde program.
There is no harm reaching out and asking if you child is still in consideration for the Benilde program.

This was not our experience, sadly. Our son applied to Benilde, had the interview and wasn't accepted to Benilde. We were then told AFTER the fact that if you apply to Benilde and don't get a spot, you are automatically denied regular admission to SJC. This is not information we knew before we applied and it was impossible to find that information anywhere on the website. Had we known, we would have taken the regular admissions path. Be careful - not sure if that process is changed but this was a HUGE disappointment for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I remember from speaking with representatives during the open house:
Interview is important. They want to make sure the student is committed to the program and it is not just the parent.
If you are not selected for an interview, you may still be in the pool for admission - just not to the Benilde program.
There is no harm reaching out and asking if you child is still in consideration for the Benilde program.

This was not our experience, sadly. Our son applied to Benilde, had the interview and wasn't accepted to Benilde. We were then told AFTER the fact that if you apply to Benilde and don't get a spot, you are automatically denied regular admission to SJC. This is not information we knew before we applied and it was impossible to find that information anywhere on the website. Had we known, we would have taken the regular admissions path. Be careful - not sure if that process is changed but this was a HUGE disappointment for my child.

Thank you for sharing. So many people have asked this same question in numerous threads and there hasn't been a clear answer, which I found odd considering how many applicants they get. They also don't provide much information on their website.

[Anonymous]

Yes, PP, the lack of info is frustrating.

We had a Benilde interview and it was the most helpful discussion we had in understanding exactly what the program entails. I came out of it with a much more positive view and the interview did have a feeling that our kid was being seriously considered.

We know several other kids who are applying. It will be interesting to see who gets in and who doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, PP, the lack of info is frustrating.

We had a Benilde interview and it was the most helpful discussion we had in understanding exactly what the program entails. I came out of it with a much more positive view and the interview did have a feeling that our kid was being seriously considered.

We know several other kids who are applying. It will be interesting to see who gets in and who doesn't.

We had the same experience. In fact, the language they used made it seem like our child would be admitted but we will see.

[Anonymous]

I do not know whether it is helpful here, but I have heard that SJC received more than 1,400 applications for the incoming freshman class. No idea how many of those were for Benilde or the scholars program, but with an average class size of around 320, it shows how selective both programs must be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not know whether it is helpful here, but I have heard that SJC received more than 1,400 applications for the incoming freshman class. No idea how many of those were for Benilde or the scholars program, but with an average class size of around 320, it shows how selective both programs must be.

Wow 1400! How does that compare to previous years?

[Anonymous]

It’s my understanding that Benilde is a harder admit because of the large number of applications for the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I remember from speaking with representatives during the open house:
Interview is important. They want to make sure the student is committed to the program and it is not just the parent.
If you are not selected for an interview, you may still be in the pool for admission - just not to the Benilde program.
There is no harm reaching out and asking if you child is still in consideration for the Benilde program.

This was not our experience, sadly. Our son applied to Benilde, had the interview and wasn't accepted to Benilde. We were then told AFTER the fact that if you apply to Benilde and don't get a spot, you are automatically denied regular admission to SJC. This is not information we knew before we applied and it was impossible to find that information anywhere on the website. Had we known, we would have taken the regular admissions path. Be careful - not sure if that process is changed but this was a HUGE disappointment for my child.

That’s a shame. I think the process may have changed, but it’s been a few years. My child applied for both Benilde at SJC and Ryken at GC. Before applications, we clarified that if not admitted to the program he would still be considered for admission to the school, and we were told he would be. At the time, we were told that kids applied and may not get the formal program but could qualify for accommodations like extra time on tests, etc. without the extra support of the program.

[Anonymous]

They said at the open house that students who are not a good fit for Benilde may be considered for regular admission. My child had an interview - it seemed to go very well and they gave the impression they were very interested in them.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many applicants they typically get for Benilde and the amount they accept?

[Anonymous]

I just got an email today inviting me to schedule a Benilde interview. As another poster noted, they offered timeslots for three days next week so they must be doing them on a rolling basis.