I agree

We had the full 1:1 interview, not tour, experience - DC (applying for 6th) for 20 min, than DH and me for another 25 min. Were totally thrown by the comment "your DC seems very Jesuit in thinking"... Still not sure what that meant (and I went to a Jesuit college). Maret also was DC then us. A third school was LS student tour, MS/US student tour, DC with admissions director for 20 min and then about 10 min with us. Glad this will be over in five weeks... Then on to next year's batch of applications for the other kids!

At the school we applied to we had a full interview and our child had a separate one - both fairly extensive and thorough. We had already gone to the open house and had a tour so it made sense to do a proper interview.

Never met anyone in admissions even once. Our kid got in.

Anonymous wrote:Our "interview" was actually an informational 1-1 tour given by a middle school faculty member and then a short informal discussion (?interview) afterwards. It was not a formal interview, say in the way Maret has formal separate interviews for the parents and the child with a member of the admissions office. FYI.

This was our experience, too. We waited too long to get an interview. I called when all the slots were "full" and they told me that the interview was not required, and not that big a deal. I wondered about this, so I had the woman I was speaking to put me on a wait-list. A space opened up the next week, but the "interview" was really just another one-on-one informational session. Not a true interview. Weird.

13:38 thanks that is helpful. We are really curious about SFS and think it would be a great fit for our daughter and family overall.

14:51 - we called and it's all good. Website wasn't reflecting open slots.

Had something similar happen in prior year when we applied to Maret. Sometime in November, the December slots for interviews just all got snapped up. Fortunately there were like two or three left -- one day in mid-December, plus a couple in January. I agree with the recommendation to call the school -- I'd bet they create a new slot for you if you're pleasant and sincere on the phone.

Our "interview" was actually an informational 1-1 tour given by a middle school faculty member and then a short informal discussion (?interview) afterwards. It was not a formal interview, say in the way Maret has formal separate interviews for the parents and the child with a member of the admissions office. FYI.

Hi thanks all good - called and it was a glitch in website I believe - they opened up more interview spots.
Thank you to everyone who replied to this post. Go DCUM!
Moral of story: Quaker self-reliance = just call!

Anonymous wrote:Not having an interview is not a deal breaker, by any stretch. Don't sweat it if you don't get one.

Not true. The interview is the most important piece of the enrollment process for those entering in middle or upper school. The person doing the interview will need to advocate for your child. Great test scores and grades are necessary but not sufficent. Current Sidell parent. Call and plead for interview.

OP, I would think they would have to open up a slot for you. If the web site and admissions statements give the 12/1 date as being guaranteed an interview, I'm sure they will honor that.

Yes, an interview is important. Push this, politely of course.

-- New SFS MS parent

Not having an interview is not a deal breaker, by any stretch. Don't sweat it if you don't get one.

Am calling today. Just unpleasantly surprised when I filed Part 1 of the app last night, which was due before 12/1 to guarantee an interview.
That permitted me to progress to select an interview date - all of which were full. Came to DCUM to get the skinny - not encouraged since only thread I found wasn't the most positive!
Fingers crossed...

Why don't you call them?

Just submitted SFS app for 6th grade and all interview slots (thru 12/6) are full. SFS pags said they cannot guarantee interview if submitted after 12/1.
1. Am I SOL and there aren't any more slots?
2. How major a role does the child/family interview play in admissions?
3. Anyone at SFS who didn't interview?
Thanks in advance!