How do British boarding schools select foreign students?
The school will have access to several items of information, which will help them in coming to a decision eg completed application forms, school reports, the applicant’s letter, but an interview or interviews will play a key part in the process.
Who will the interview be with?
This will vary from school to school, but it will be with a senior, experienced member of the teaching staff or possibly two people. Where the interviews have been on the school site, there will be the opportunity for input from a member of the pastoral team eg Housemaster/Housemistress and members of the Admissions team.
What is the purpose of the interview?
The interview helps the school to find out more about the German student. They would like to know:
- which subjects you wish to study (Sixth Form) and why
- your favourite subjects (Year 10/11) and why
- what interests/hobbies you have
- what you are like as a person
- any contributions you make to your school
- whether you have the skills/ability required to benefit from the experience
- whether you might offer something to the school
- how good your English is (but they won’t expect it to be perfect!)
What do Stanford & Ackel offer by way of preparation for the interview?
We offer a practice interview with a highly experienced member of our team. As Head of Sixth Form in a private school for 14 years, Ian Thomson has conducted hundreds of these interviews and can offer a unique insight into this part of the application process. Having taught in a German Gymnasium for 2 years and accompanied over 30 exchange trips to Germany, he also has a good understanding of the German system.
What are the benefits preparing for a school interview?
- Most applicants will hardly have experienced a formal interview, let alone one in English. Here is the opportunity to experience this type of interview with someone unknown. We usually find that this helps to reduce any anxiety before the actual interview with the school.
- The opportunity to gain an understanding of the sorts of questions that might form part of the actual interview.
- The opportunity to find out what kind of things the school is looking for and expecting.
- After an interview in English, Ian will offer feedback in German to the applicant and parents. Here he can offer suggestions of aspects to stress, things to avoid and tips as to how to improve answers where necessary.
- He is also happy to answer any questions you may have.
- We hope that this practice interview will help to boost the applicant’s confidence and give ideas of areas to research further before the actual interview.
What should you wear to a boarding school interview?
We are often asked this. It does not need to be extremely formal, so there is no need for a suit/jacket but nor should it be too informal ie not just T-shirt and jeans. You want to feel comfortable, but also to make a good impression – smart casual.
Our Final advice
- Try to give detail where you can. They genuinely want to know a lot about you to help them make the right decision.
- Don’t be afraid of making mistakes in English – they won’t expect you to be perfect and would far rather hear you attempting to give an answer.
- Try to show your interest and passion for subjects/hobbies.
- Try to show that you know something about the British school. For example – you could mention something that you read on the school’s website. If you have visited, comment on something that impressed you.
- And last but not least – please don’t forget to smile!!
Stanford & Ackel has over 20 years of experience, supporting families choosing the right school for their children. The preparation for the interview is part of our service which is free of charge for our families. Please feel free to contact us at anytime.
Would you like to find out more?
Send us a message.