Interviews and Visits

Visiting boarding schools that you and your child are seriously considering is an exciting step in the admissions process. During these visits, you'll meet with admissions staff and possibly even a dean or the head of school. It's natural to want to make a great impression. You will put your best foot forward when you meet with these people. However, you will be in unfamiliar surroundings.

When parents think about secondary school interviews, they tend to focus on prepping their child for the all-important, anxiety-inducing applicant interview. The parent interview, which usually takes place during the same visit, can seem less significant, and parents often neglect to prepare for it in the same way. However, with a little planning, the parent interview can be a real asset to your student's application. Source: Secondary School Admission: The Do's and Don'ts of The Parent Interview...The Fay School

So, my advice is to relax, stay calm, and, above all, not let your nerves get the better of you. Here are some tips to help you navigate the admissions interview successfully.

This video shows a day in the life of Exeter.

1. Be Mindful About Discussing Learning Challenges

While honesty is important, there's no need to highlight minor learning issues during the interview. Admissions staff are adept at interpreting academic records and test scores, so let those documents speak for themselves. On the other hand, if

Many students from countries outside the United States want to attend American boarding schools. According to The Association of Boarding Schools, international students make up about 15% of the student population in American boarding schools. It is essential to know that international students applying to an American boarding school deal with several additional steps in the admissions process.

Because many applicants live far from the schools they would like to visit, American boarding schools have devised ways to let parents and potential students experience the schools, their communities, and their programs. For example, if you live in Asia or Europe, visiting American schools in person is not always financially or logistically possible. So, what alternatives exist for those situations? There are several. Off-campus, school visits come in a couple of flavors. Since boarding school admissions staff have years of experience recruiting and admitting students from countries outside the United States, you will be able to get answers to all your questions and concerns. Decades of experience back up those answers. With that in mind, let's see how the overseas recruiting and admissions process to American boarding schools works.

Admissions Staff Visits Overseas

Many boarding schools send their admissions staff overseas to major cities in countries where they have a substantial applicant pool. Ask for details of visits in your area. While you will have to rely on school videos and web presentations of school life and activities, at

Many parents feel they know a boarding school because they have spent time on its website. They 'liked' the school's Facebook page and followed it on Instagram. They also watched all the videos the school posted on its YouTube channel. They and their child are convinced that the school is a good fit for them and their requirements. So why bother hopping on a plane, renting a car, booking accommodation, and taking all that time to go and visit the school? You need to visit any school you are considering sending your child to. The school will insist on it because they want to meet you in person whenever possible.

Your educational consultant may have given the schools glowing reports. Your great uncle has always fondly spoken about his years at one of the schools on your shortlist. He has given generously to his alma mater. One of your colleagues in the Boston office has a daughter at another school on your shortlist. She loves her school's equestrian program. But that's their opinion. You and your child need to set foot on each campus on your shortlist, scope each one out, and use your judgment about whether your child will be happy there for three or four years. Here is a list of things to look for and questions to ask.

Things To Look For and Check Out

The dorm rooms

Given that your child will spend several hours studying in her dorm room, review what can and

I wish that during the 15 years I worked in boarding school admissions,I had kept track of how many students I interviewed. I imagine it’s a greater number than I would even guess. I loved to interview students and have that time to really get to know them -- who they are, what they hope to do, what they are looking for, how they might fit in at my school, and what they bring with them. Sometimes, it was very clear to me that a student was nervous -- perhaps it was their first time in an interview situation. So I would start with, “Are you nervous?” It’s amazing how identifying that fear could somehow easily dissipate it as well. From there, we could talk comfortably with one another and explore what we wanted to explore. Many of the students I work with in boarding school guidance have not been interviewed before this point, which makes sense given their age. I like to guide them beforehand with how they might be more prepared -- both in terms of what they might be asked in an interview and what they might ask, as well as how to make a good impression.

This video looks at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut.

What should I wear?

I’m glad you asked! This is one of the first things I ask my students who are planning their visits!