Ace Your School Interview: Questions Admissions Directors May Ask Parents

Introduction

Getting into the right school isn’t just about your child’s interview — your interview matters too.

Admissions Directors want to understand your family, your values, and why you believe their school is the right fit.

The good news? While you can’t predict every question, you can prepare. Below is a list of real questions Admissions Directors have been known to ask parents during interviews. Review them ahead of time, think through your answers, and walk in with confidence!

Getting to Know Your Child

• Tell me about your son/daughter? (almost always asked)
• What are your son/daughter’s special interests?
• What are your son/daughter’s favorite books?
• What does your son/daughter like to do at the playground?
• What is the funniest thing your child ever did?
• What is your child especially proud of?
• Does your child like to watch TV? What does he/she watch?
• Does your child enjoy the computer? What does he/she do on the computer?

About the School & Fit

• Why (our school)? (almost always asked)
• What are your educational goals for your child, and why do you think our school can help you achieve them?
• What is the most important thing you are looking for in a school?
• What makes you think this school is a good fit for your child?
• When you toured our school, what stood out for you?
• What would your family bring to our school?
• What is it about our school that you think would appeal most to your child?
• What other schools have you applied to?
• Why would you want to send your child to a school so far from your home?

Current Nursery School Experience

• What is it you like most about the nursery school your child goes to? What made you choose it?
• What is your child’s attitude toward school? Does he always enjoy going?

Family Values & Dynamics

• What values are important to your family? What do you do to instill these values in your child?
• How does your child get along with their siblings?
• What was your elementary education like? How would you like your child’s to compare to yours?

Personality, Behavior & Social Skills

• What does your child like to do when they play alone?
• How does your child do when they meet new people?
• When your child meets new people, how does he/she react?
• How active is your child?
• How does your child handle frustration? Can you give me an example?
• Does your child prefer to be told what to do, or would he/she rather make their own choices?
• If your child were at the playground, what would he/she likely be doing?
• When your child plays, what is their favorite thing to do?
• What activities does your child do outside of nursery school? Which is his/her favorite?

Strengths, Challenges & Resilience

• What would you describe as your child’s strengths? Weaknesses?
• Describe something that your child struggled with? What was the outcome?
• What is the hardest thing your child has had to contend with in their life so far? How did he/she handle it?
• Is your child in any kind of therapy? Can you describe it?