Living the Harry Potter lifestyle: boarding schools

Have you ever seen Dead Poets’ Society, Harry Potter, or The Holdovers? These movies, filmed at various locations at different times, all have one thing in common: boarding schools.  

Boarding schools are college-preparatory schools that provide an excellent, well-rounded education with opportunities for diverse extracurriculars for young students to explore and develop their passions. It’s essentially an everyday sleepover with your best friends all through high school. Attending a boarding school was one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

So, how do you apply to a boarding school? 

In order to attend boarding school, you'll need to work on the following core application materials:

• Entrance exam (SSAT or ISEE)
• Recommendation Letters/Transcript 
• Personal statement 
• Supplemental essays 
• On-campus Interview

Although each component is critical to a student’s boarding school application, this post focuses on the on-campus interview. I would argue that the interview is the most human aspect of the application, as it's a space where you can display your vibrant personality and bring your application to life.  

Tips for the on-campus interview 

1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE 

There is no such thing as “over-practicing” for interviews. What I mean by that is not to memorize a fixed speech per interview question, but to answer each interview question with an organic response that may vary every attempt – whether it is alone in front of a mirror or in front of family and friends. Usually, there is a list of interview questions that each school is bound to ask:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you like about our school?
• How will you contribute to our school?

For these types of questions, it is important to practice them often, making sure you have a fundamental understanding of yourself and your strengths.  

 
2. RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOLS

Schools want to know if the student has a solid grasp of the values, culture, and uniqueness of the school. The best way to research schools is by simply going to their website and browsing through the many tabs. Make sure to hone in on the areas that resonate with you! That way, the interviewer will have a clear picture of how well you fit with the school and how well the school can provide for you.     

3. MAKE A 3-POINT LIST 

Interviewers go through hundreds of applicants. A lot of reading and a lot of listening can make the interviewer lose focus, especially when students give out drawn-out responses without much organization. The best way to quickly and effectively grab an interviewer’s attention is by making a 3-point list.  

For example: 

[Interviewer] “Tell me what your favorite dish is and why?” 

[Student] “My favorite dish has to be my mother’s kimchi stew because of three reasons:

1. The dish itself has such complex flavors comprised of slow-cooked spicy cabbage, tofu, meat, anchovy broth, and veggies, which give notes of spiciness, tartness, and umami. I’ve grown up eating a lot of spicy Korean dishes like this, which is why I love and crave spicy food all the time!
2. The stew wouldn’t be the same without my mother’s touch. In Korean, there is a phrase “sohn-mat,” which literally means "hand-taste." It is when a person creates a delicious dish with the labor of their hands to accentuate their personal touch on the dish. My mom who’s my role model shows her love and care through making food by hand which is why I enjoy and cherish her take on the kimchi stew.
3. Kimchi stew is a Korean staple enjoyed by so many. It is also a direct connection that I have to my Korean culture having grown up in a predominantly-white community. Every time I have the stew, not only is it delicious, but it is also a reminder of my heritage. I would love to introduce to people to this dish.”   

4. LOSE THE FILLERS 

It is easier said than done to stop or correct a habit, especially in speech. The amount and frequency of “uh” and “like” that penetrate our sentences is almost seamless. But, it is imperative to notice these habits and try to minimize them at best when speaking to an interviewer. Remember, these interviews are supposed to display yourself in the most direct, clearest, and compelling way in a limited amount of time. Try to notice your habits that don’t contribute to your responses and eliminate them with practice. Without all these filler distractions, the interviewer will be able to clearly and succinctly understand you and remember you as a standout candidate.