Understanding School Admissions Interviews
A comprehensive Guide to Admissions Interviews for Independent Schools
A greater number of independent schools are seeking to make distinction between candidates by adding an interview to their admissions processes. Interviews are a chance to meet the candidate, find out about the motivations in joining the school and to consider how they would respond to the learning environment offered by the school.
Understanding the Interview Structure
Interviews will generally be between fifteen and thirty minutes. Interviews are a formal conversation and are structured similarly for each candidate, although questions may not be the same.
The structure usually follows opening, general questions about the candidate with the purpose of finding out about them generally followed by questions that may explore the candidate’s answers in more detail. Final questions can be those that give the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate a skill or approach to learning that they have not yet. The candidate is usually then offered the opportunity to close the interview with any questions they may have.
What are interviewers looking for?
Interviews are usually conducted by a senior member of the academic staff although this can sometimes a member of the pastoral team for boarding schools.
As the interviewer is a current part of the school, they will know what type of student will fit with their school best and so they look for the qualities that they know the students who attend their school possess.
Generally, qualities that interviewers tend to look for are:
- Teachability
- A love of learning
- Enthusiasm to be involved in school life
- A desire to be involved in extracurricular activities
- Confidence
What types of questions will be asked?
The purpose of the questions it to gain an insight into the candidate’s personality and so they tend to focus on the following:
- Hobbies
- Reading
- Current Affairs and topical issues
- Academic Ability
- Critical Thinking
A Few Tips for Interviews:
- Explain and develop answers to give a more detailed response
- Be honest but consider how the presentation of your ideas
- Look through the prospectus and website of the school
- Be polite but friendly
- Have a few questions to ask the interviewer
What types of questions will be asked?
Below are a few example questions- to prepare, the candidate should think about how they would answer these in a clear and cohesive structure.
- What is your favourite genre of book? Favourite Author?
- Why would you want to come to this school?
- What is your favourite subject? Why?
- What hobbies do you partake in during your spare time?
- Who is your hero?
How do interviews differ at different admissions levels?
Admissions interviews at 16+ will differ as they may be led by the academic departmental head of the subjects that the candidate has chosen at Sixth Form. They are also more academic in nature and more focused on Critical Thinking and Academic Ability. For more subject specific advice, please contact Norton Alexander at info@nortonalexander.com
How can you prepare for the interviews?
Parents can have conversations with their children about their hobbies and interests, as well as asking questions about current affairs and their school life. Encouraging wider reading is always beneficial and creating opportunities to test the child academically.
Although over-rehearsal is not encouraged, candidates should ensure that they practice positive body language and speaking to a teacher or trusted adult who is more unfamiliar to them.
If you would like further guidance on interviews, and to understand the expectations of specific schools, please contact Norton Alexander at info@nortonalexander.com to book a consultation with one of our admissions experts.