What are the parent interviews really like?

[Anonymous]

I've experienced parent interviews this year at Maret, Potomac, and St. Pats. Other schools had a joint parent-child interview (and one had no parent interview). The parent interview for us at those three schools was really all about the child - e.g., tell us about your DC; what does DC like to do for fun; I see from application DC likes to play x and y sports -- tell me about it, and what other sports does DC like to play; what does DC like to do for fun; "anything else you'd like to tell me about your DC"

Certainly read carefully your application and essays again before the interview, as they may be brought into the discussion/questions.

[Anonymous]

We had an interview at Sidwell this year. The rep wanted more info about our DC which we gave. Then she asked for more info again about DC. We gave more. She followed up with ???s. By the time we left, we felt exhausted. We felt it was an intense interview. At our other interviews at four other schools, it was more relaxed and positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essentially they are checking that the parents don't drool and walk on their fists, can string a sentence together without swearing and seem sober.

Sort of.

They are also trying to assess what type of parents come along with the child.

No school wants unrealistic, overwrought, disruptive parents that will make the staff's life miserable for four years.

If you don't think there are people like this, you are dreaming.

I read "overwrought" as "overweight", which surprised me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It turned out that I was an alum of the prep school attended by the daughter of the Head of School. We attended 15 years apart, but he and I chatted generally about that school for about five minutes. I explained that I wanted a similar experience for DC. The remaining time, we talked about how that could happen at the school, plus all of the additional perks offered.

That's hardly the norm though, given how unlikely that is to happen more than once in a blue moon.

[Anonymous]

For Holton middle school there was no parent interview but we had a tour where it was just us and our admissions rep so we had lots of time to talk then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the parent interviews really like? Are both parents expected to attend, would it count against me if only one parent shows? Is it like a job interview ? Is it a way for them to find out who would be a big donor or have the best pedigree? Should I be prepared to list off my accomplishments and education stats? I have no friends that have gone through this process so I really have no idea. What questions should I expect?

This certainly wasn't my experience for PK. As others have noted, it was about my child, not me. They also asked what we were looking for in a school. It seemed to me that they were trying to determine if it would be a good match between family and school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac this year was just kids.

Once Potomac dumped the old AD (thankfully), they switched their interviews to the kids only....

[Anonymous]

A lot of info about parents can be found online.
Your interview is important as apples don't fall far from the tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essentially they are checking that the parents don't drool and walk on their fists, can string a sentence together without swearing and seem sober.

Sort of.

They are also trying to assess what type of parents come along with the child.

No school wants unrealistic, overwrought, disruptive parents that will make the staff's life miserable for four years.

If you don't think there are people like this, you are dreaming.

I'm quite sure that many parents fit this category, as well as I'm sure that there are some very stupid, inefficient clowns masquerading as teachers at privates in this area.

You sound super nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac this year was just kids.

Once Potomac dumped the old AD (thankfully), they switched their interviews to the kids only....

We had a parent interview at Potomac this year for one of the middle school grades. It was after the parent tour.

[Anonymous]

We had a parent interview at Potomac this year for one of the middle school grades. It was after the parent tour.

So did we.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac this year was just kids.

Once Potomac dumped the old AD (thankfully), they switched their interviews to the kids only....

So why would you be thankful the AD is gone? Are you interviewing annually with the same school?

[Anonymous]

I hate parent interviews and essays. My days of applying for anything are over and I am just here to pay the bills. Leave me out of this stupid game.

[Anonymous]

The independent schools app process is designed to weed out families, not just students. It's time-consuming, expensive, draining, etc. We cannot wait to have it all over soon.