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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Tell me about what happens during the student/parent visit, please.[/quote]

The boys go off in a small group of about six, with a faculty member, and the parents go off in a small group wiht one of the admissions staff for a tour of the school. I recall some parents' being obviously competitive and trying to say impressive things, other parents' asking very nitpicky questions. Afterwards, I asked my son what they had done in their group, and he said they had just sat around and talked. Did you say anything, I asked. No, he said, not a word, the whole time! Oh, no, I thought. But he did get accepted after all. [/quote]

Better manners. [/quote]

It also becomes clear during these interviews which boys were prompted by their parents to volunteer to say things to try to appear engaged and bright.  Such a tactic tends to backfire, as those doing the evaluating figure either the parents or the boys or both are insufferable.[/quote]

It's still mostly (as in overwhelmingly)  about grades, recommendations, test scores and essays.  The admissions staff and faculty know that parents and kids can be awkward when over eager and plenty of allowances are made.  [/quote]

It's tempting as a parent to think that the parent who is an idiot on the tour or in a Q&A session is hurting their child's chances -- 'after all, my spouse and I came across great, so won't that help some?' but it generally just doesn't work that way.  STA more than most keeps parents at a polite arms' length during their child's school career, and they just don't seem to worry too much about the off-the-wall parent in the interview process.  And they also seem comfortable admitting boys of all personality types -- outgoing; reserved; quirky as all get out.

Good luck everyone, the wait will be over soon![/quote]

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