How to navigate private-school admissions interviews

In Canada, the private school admissions process typically includes an interview with the school’s admissions department, which is a valuable tool for all involved. “The primary goal of the interview is for our admissions team to establish a connection with the applicant and their parents,” says Hilary Riley, director of admissions and enrolment management at the York School in Toronto. “And it gives the family an opportunity to learn more about our school and community.”

Through the interview, which usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes, admissions officers assess whether a child will be a good fit for the school—and vice versa. “We want to learn about their personality, their personal and family values and how they might fit into our current cohorts and school community,” says Susie Heinrich, director of enrolment management at The Sterling Hall School in North York, Ont.

The preparation

Practising for a private school interview—such as asking and answering common questions—is smart, but be careful not to over-prepare. “Admissions officers truly want the student to be themselves,” says Mike Packowski, principal at Linbrook School in Oakville, Ont. Too much prep can make a child sound coached or rehearsed. “Please be your authentic self during the interview,” Riley advises students. “We want to meet the real you!” And first impressions do matter: being neatly dressed, shaking hands and making eye contact with the interviewers make a difference.

The questions

Expect common questions about a student’s interests, hobbies, goals, favourite subjects and the reason(s) they want to attend that school. “The idea is not to throw off candidates, but to engage them in conversation,” Heinrich says. “We want to find out what they find easy and difficult, and how they handle challenges. And we often want to ask questions that students would not have prepared for, so that we can personally get to know the student and not memorized answers.” Students might also be asked questions in more casual situations, such as during a tour of the school, after which other staff and students may provide feedback to the admissions team.

The answers

Admissions teams are looking for students whose answers are insightful, positive and detailed. And honesty is critical—trying to guess the “right” answer the admissions team wants to hear is an ill-advised approach. “Ideally, the student feels comfortable sharing some information about their prior school experiences, and likes and dislikes both in and out of school,” Packowski says. Heinrich concurs, explaining that admissions officers aren’t looking for perfection, but personality. “Be honest and genuine,” she says. “Be reflective and thoughtful.”

The bottom line

Acing a private school admissions interview is great, but don’t fret if it doesn’t go as planned. “[It’s] just one of the data points we use to conduct an overall assessment of a prospective student,” Riley says. Admissions teams know students are nervous, and the process is about discovering what’s possible. “Part of our job as a school is to help [students] grow,” Heinrich notes, “so the interview also helps determine potential.”