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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=pbraverman]My experience matches that of a few PPs: Interviews vary quite a bit from school to school, and from grade to grade. Most one-on-ones are conversational, just trying to get an idea of what students are like on a personal level and, for older grades, whether they can think on their feet a little. About 80-90 percent of schools' interview questions are similar, drawn from a list of about a dozen questions. It's not a collusion; they're just obvious, age-appropriate questions, like "Tell me about one of your favorite books." Most parents could probably predict many of them.

It is entirely reasonable to ask admission offices about their interview settings — one-on-one, individually or with parents present, coincident with a casual tour, etc. — when scheduling one. Nobody should take offense at such an inquiry.

On a specific note, the PP's statement that group interviews favor extroverts is a perceptive one. If your child (older than grade 3 or so) has such an interview and is an introvert, it may be worth discussing how he or she feels about it, and ways it might help to interact, a few times beginning a few weeks before the interview date. In case it's not clear, I am not suggesting trying to turn your introverted kid into an extrovert — merely talking about and practicing specific strategies that could be used. Such an approach with very young children is as likely to backfire as not; it's almost always obvious who's been coached. Just let them have as much fun as they can.

For what it's worth, my experience is that almost all families who are new to the process, and many who are not, underestimate the value of the student interview relative to the quantitative aspects of an application.

Peter
_____________________

Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's too easy to write uninformed, personal, or mean-spirited posts if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools. I have read hundreds of admission files, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools in the DC area. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you. :) If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter <at> peterbraverman <dotcom>[/quote]

Agree, with PP and others.  Also he's correct in saying that the interview is a very valuable tool in admissions.  I think the interview is what helped my DC get into a top school.  It's the best way to get to know kids.  Test scores, grades are pretty much going to be similar among most of the kids applying.  [/quote]

Agree with this too.  Interviews are very important for a relatively small private school to get a feel for whether someone is or isn't a good fit. Can tell from an interview info well beyond a kid's interests -- can ask questions/get answers that help identify empathy, sense of humor, independence, and maturity, among other characteristics.  Some schools ask parents to sit in on the interview, at least for middle school applicants. Spouse and I sat in on two such interviews that our DC did for his middle school application and we were just so impressed with how DC acted and responded.  Though his grades were superb, his test scores weren't bad but weren't exactly great either. We're convinced his showing of maturity, empathy, and "fun"/humor helped a lot in being memorable and getting him accepted to the schools he applied to.  He's now at a big three.[/quote]

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