Preparing for an Interview with the School Authorities

Once the initial formalities of buying an application form, filling it up and enclosing supporting documents along with it etc. are completed, the next stage is to wait for the dreaded call for an interview from the school. But there is nothing to fear because fear is the most disintegrating element of human personality. Fear sabotages everything. Replacing fear with courage and confidence is vital. Preparatory process If it is admission for a nursery or a kindergarten class, then the interview is more to know about the parents and their interest in seeking admission in the particular school. If you exert unnecessary pressure on the child, it will only deliver adverse results. If this is a mid-class admission (meaning you are changing schools) then there is bound to be an entrance examination which will qualify your ward for the admission. Once your ward clears the entrance exams, the next stage will be the interview. Dress up well.... first impression is the last! Parents need to dress well and also ensure that their child is well groomed and dressed up for the occasion. Do not appear as if you have made an extra effort to dress up for the occasion as it will show. Be casual in approach with a formal attire (not a coat suit, but a full sleeve shirt and a pant). You should exude confidence in the way you talk and conduct yourself. Bio-data If you are seeking a job, will you not prepare your bio-data? Yes, isn't it? Prepare one for your child. Can you high light some of his talents and articulate it? Practice rehearsing about it with your better half before the D-day. While seeking admissions for middle classes, preparing a bio-data with details about the child and all the extracurricular activities of the child is a must as this will earn brownie points for your child from the school. Please note that bragging about your child and marketing the skills of your child are two different things. How can you avoid bragging? By making simple statements and focusing more on showing the certificates. It is also important to carry extra photographs of your child. You can carry a pouch with a stapler, pins, paste, photos etc and the school authorities will see through your earnestness. Practice Questions The questions may be from any corner but all that you have to do is to give intelligent answers. Answer a question in such a way that the interviewer does not feel the need to seek more information. Nowadays, every school has a website. Browse through the website thoroughly and understand the vision/mission statement of the school, the results of the school in Class X exams etc. You can relate some of the information with the answers to the questions. Let us imagine a few probable questions:

• Why do you think your child needs an admission to our school?
• What talents/skills will your child bring to the table if given an admission?
• Both of you are working. How will you do justice to your child's emotional needs?
• How do you propose to devote time for your child's studies?

The Final Word Dress up in proper attire. Have a positive frame of mind. Do not brag too much about your status or education. Humility is a virtue that will shine through your behaviour. Respect the school authorities. Even if the initial response from them is negative, do not give up. Do not be belligerent at the same time. You can make a point even when you are calm and composed. A callow approach is a strict no-no. Make the school authorities a part of your problem and request them for a solution. If you display an "I-don't-care-a-damn-because-I-work-for-an-IT-firm" attitude then this is definitely not going to help. The school is more concerned about admitting a good student who will do the school proud. In your eagerness to please them, do not talk nineteen to the dozen. Be a good listener. You can take a small note pad with you where, if required, you can jot down a few points. Once you secure admission for your child in this school, take out the time from your busy schedule to write a thank you note to the Principal. This will help in developing a rapport with the school because school is the place where your child is going to spend the maximum time and school is a place where his upbringing will be put to test. All the best! (Please share your admission interview experience as a comment below.)