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5 Tips for a Successful 51³Ô¹ÏÍø School Admissions Interview

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: ...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

International Students: Visas and More

If you live overseas and are not an American citizen, and are considering sending your child to a boarding school in the United States, your child will need a student visa to enter the United States.

• Your child will also need to show fluency in the English language as evidenced by passing the .
• The process of applying for a student visa begins with an American boarding school issuing a Form I-20.

The I-20 Form

Not every boarding school is certified by the United States Immigration Service to accept foreign students. Why is that important?

• Always confirm that the school you are interested in is a certified school.
• If the school is not SEVP-certified to accept international students, it cannot issue the , which is the first step in applying for and obtaining a student visa from the U.S. Immigration Service.
• Once you receive the I-20 from the school you chose to attend, you will pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. As of May 2025 that fee is $350.
• The Immigration Service will not allow your child to enter the United States as a student without the proper documentation.

Pay Attention to The Deadlines

Applying for admission to an American boarding school requires staying organized and on top of deadlines throughout the admissions process.

• Hire a professional

A Conversation About 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Schools

Here is a compilation of the various concerns and questions I have fielded from readers. Don't hesitate to DM me on Facebook or Instagram with your questions. I will do my best to answer them.

Parent: Tell me about the advantages of sending my daughter to a boarding school.

School: Your child will build a network of friends that she will have for life.

• The demands of rigorous academic studies combined with compulsory athletics and required extracurricular activities will stretch her ways you never thought possible.
• She will build confidence in her abilities as she accomplishes things she probably didn't realize she could achieve.
• You will know that your child is receiving a comprehensive and balanced education that consists of academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.

Parent; How do I know which school is the best one?

School: You determine that by comparing schools.

• So, make lists of schools. Review their websites.
• Watch their videos. Check out their social media pages pages.
• Did you find any that offer the academic subjects, sports, and extracurricular activities you feel are essential for your child?
• Put those schools on another shorter list.
• Visit those three or four schools. The visit and interview will reveal much about each school.
• Apply to the schools that are the best fit for you.

Parent: I want my daughter to have great teachers.

5 Tips for Applying for a 51³Ô¹ÏÍø School Job

If you last applied for a job a couple of years ago, be aware of two things.

• First of all, you can do most job applications online.
• Secondly, applying for a boarding school job is similar to applying for a public school teaching job, although there are some subtle differences.

The Application Process

Review the job application process carefully.

Don't assume nothing has changed since you last applied for a job. It has. The most significant change is .

• Most employers, including boarding schools, will expect you to apply online these days.
• They do this so that they can screen applications efficiently.
• It is also easier to import the data from an online application into a database or spreadsheet.
• Furthermore, authorized staff can access applicant data securely instead of having personal information lying about on a sheet of paper or in a manila folder, as was customary years ago before the advent of computers.

In the past, an administrative assistant or secretary .

• That involved opening envelopes and sorting the applications.
• Occasionally, the assistant actually screened the applications, generally to ensure that all requested materials had been sent.
• At some point, the pile of applications and cover letters ended up on the desk of the person charged with filling the job