Thoughts From Jacquie & Verona…
There’s no denying it, the independent and boarding school admissions process is overwhelming. The to-do list is endless; the multitude of components is bewildering, and the number of hoops you have to jump through is exhausting. That’s why we’ve compiled this mini-blog series to help you break the school search process into bite-size chunks to make it more manageable. So let’s dig in…
This Week’s Lowdown
In our third post of the series, we take a look at two critical components of the school search process: the parent statement and the parent interview.
The Parent Statement
The objective of the parent statement is to help the admissions team learn more about who your child is and what your family dynamic is at home.
As you prepare to put pen to paper, here are some tips on how to portray the best version of your child and your family in the application statements:
Firstly, don’t be afraid to brag: this is your child’s time to shine!
Give specific examples of how and why you are proud of your child
Share anecdotes that give insights into your child’s personality, traits, and accomplishments: the more you share, the more the admissions team will understand who your child is. But be careful not to overdo it!
Illustrate the growth you have seen in your child over the years
Expand on how this growth has shaped their character.
The Parent Interview
Admissions Directors aim to make the parent interview as relaxed as possible and will do their best to ensure the conversation feels like a casual chat. Bear in mind, however, that the objective of the meeting is to:
Learn as much about you and your child
Show that you ‘know’ your child
Decide if your family is a good ‘match’ for the school
With this in mind, we strongly encourage you to do a brainstorming session ahead of the meeting to:
Reflect on why you are applying to the school
Describe your child’s learning style
Articulate why your child is a good fit
Make sure your messaging as parents is on the same page
In addition, be sure to prepare some questions for the admissions officer that show you have done your research and understand the school’s mission but are hungry to know more!
KQ Quick Tips
You are your child’s strongest advocate, so be sure to weave examples of their personality and achievements into the statement and/or your conversation with the admissions officer (e.g. community service; artistic talents; athletic ambitions; leadership roles, etc.)
This is your opportunity to show how proud you are of your child, so have at it (within reason, of course)!
One more thing, at the interview, don’t forget to smile, relax, and be yourselves!
A final word from KQ …
As always, we are just a phone call or email away. Contact us for help with your application. Our specialists will work with you to craft a compelling parent statement that helps prospective schools get to know your and your family. We can also help with interview prep or any other aspect of the admissions process.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
