Preparing for High School Admissions Interviews

Applying to a private or independent high school can involve more than submitting grades, recommendations, and test scores. Many schools also include an admissions interview as an opportunity to get to know prospective students beyond their application.

For middle school students, the idea of sitting down for an interview can understandably feel intimidating. But an admissions interview is ultimately just a conversation. With a little preparation, students can walk into it feeling much more comfortable and confident. Here are five ways to prepare.

1. Learn About the School Before the Interview

Students should be able to explain why they’re interested in attending the school, and a specific answer will usually be more meaningful than simply saying, “It’s a good school.”

Spend some time exploring the school’s website and talking as a family about what stands out. Maybe the student is excited about a particular academic program, wants to participate in theater, is interested in the school’s athletics, or likes the opportunities available through clubs and extracurricular activities.

Students don’t need to memorize facts about the school. Instead, they should be able to identify a few genuine reasons why they can picture themselves there.

2. Practice Talking About Yourself

Questions like “Tell me about yourself” can be surprisingly difficult to answer, especially for a middle school student who hasn’t had much practice talking about their accomplishments, interests, and goals.

Before the interview, think about a few topics you would feel comfortable discussing. What subjects do you enjoy? What do you like doing outside of school? Is there an activity, accomplishment, or experience you’re particularly proud of? What would your friends or teachers say about you? Parents can help by asking these questions casually at home.

3. Be Ready to Talk About Challenges, Too

Not every interview question will be about accomplishments. An interviewer might ask about a difficult class, a mistake you’ve made, a time you had to work with someone different from you, or something you’d like to improve.

Don’t assume you need to hide every weakness. Instead, think about what you’ve learned from challenging experiences. Maybe math has been difficult, but you’ve gotten better about asking your teacher for help. Perhaps you didn’t make a team you tried out for but decided to keep practicing.

Being able to reflect on a challenge and explain how you’ve responded can tell an interviewer quite a bit about who you are as a student.

4. Practice, But Don’t Memorize Your Answers

A practice interview can make the real experience feel much less unfamiliar. Ask a parent, teacher, tutor, or another trusted adult to sit down with you and ask a few common questions. Practice making eye contact, speaking clearly, listening to the entire question before answering, and giving more than a one-word response.

But avoid rehearsing answers word-for-word. If you’re concentrating on remembering exactly what you planned to say, you may have a harder time responding naturally when the interviewer phrases a question differently or asks an unexpected follow-up.

5. Prepare Questions of Your Own

An admissions interview is also an opportunity for students to learn more about the school. Before the interview, come up with two or three questions you’d genuinely like answered. You might ask what students enjoy most about the school, what opportunities are available in a subject or activity you’re interested in, or what the transition into ninth grade is typically like.

Try to avoid asking something you could easily find on the school’s website. A thoughtful question can help you learn something useful while also showing that you’ve spent time thinking about whether the school is a good fit for you.

Remember: The School Wants to Get to Know You

It’s normal to be nervous before a high school admissions interview. You may stumble over an answer, need a few seconds to think, or walk out afterward wishing you’d said something differently. That’s okay.

The goal is to give the interviewer a better sense of who you are, what matters to you, and what you might bring to their school community.

If your student is preparing for the high school admissions process, Hodis Learning & Music can provide individualized academic support, including preparation for private school entrance exams such as the HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT. Call us at (626) 227-1149 or submit a contact form to learn more about how we can help.