You've built your application profile, written your motivation letter, and now here's the final step: the admissions interview. For many, it's also the most daunting — you're suddenly face to face with someone from the school, with no safety net. If the thought ties your stomach in a knot, that's normal: almost all of us have felt that flutter before a first spoken assessment. Good news: an interview can be prepared for, and it's the part you actually have the most control over.
See the interview for what it really is: an opportunity. It's the moment your application takes on a face, a voice, a smile. Together we'll look at what this interview is and what the school is after, how to prepare beforehand, how to handle the first two minutes and the rest of the conversation, and finally we'll give you the five practical tips to remember.
(Preparing your application from scratch? Start with preparing your secondary school application, which puts the interview in context.)
What exactly is the admissions interview?
The admissions interview is a conversation between you and one or two people from the school — sometimes a teacher, sometimes an admissions lead. Its aim isn't to trap you, but to know you beyond what's on paper. The school is mainly looking for three things:
- Your motivation: why you want to join this school, rather than another.
- Your project: what you want to learn, live and improve there.
- Who you are: how you think, your curiosity, the way you are with others.
In other words, it's a unique chance to introduce yourself for real. See it as a two-way exchange: the school gets to know you, and you form your first impressions of a place that could become yours.
In person or online?
Not all interviews are alike. Some take place on site, others online (by video call). The set-up changes quite a bit between the two. For an online interview, check your internet connection in advance, install the tool you'll need (Teams, Google Meet…) well before the time, and have a backup plan — a phone that can take over, for instance. Pick a quiet, tidy spot with a neutral background. For an in-person interview, the idea is more about planning the journey and not arriving at the very last minute.
Doing your homework before the interview
The central idea of your preparation: keep a clear bearing, the school you're aiming for. Everything you say should, in one way or another, come back to "why you and this school are a good match". Three reference points will get you there.
1. Know the school (your goal)
Find out what makes the school unique: its strong subjects, its values, its sport, its boarding life, its clubs. You don't need to learn it all by heart — that would actually be a waste of time. What helps is being able to say in a sentence or two why it appeals to you: that reassures the people meeting you straight away.
2. Re-read your profile and letter
Your application profile and your motivation letter are the foundation of your interview. There's a good chance the questions will start from there. Re-read them the night before: it refreshes your memory and stops you from contradicting yourself. The examples you chose are already your best arguments — so keep them firmly in mind.
3. Clarify your project
What do you want to experience at this school? To improve at sport, take up an instrument, dive into the sciences, make friends from all over the world? The clearer your wish is in your head, the more genuine it will sound out loud. And if a question drifts a little, you'll always know how to bring it back.
Preparing your introduction (your "pitch")
Knowing how to introduce yourself is almost an art — and first impressions count for a lot in what follows. The interview often starts with: "Tell us about yourself." So prepare a short one-to-two-minute introduction: who you are, what you enjoy, why this school. No need to tell your whole life in order. Pick two or three things that make you a little unique and that make people want to know more.
One simple but remarkably effective trick: practise out loud, in front of a mirror or in front of your parents. You'll spot what's clunky, you'll grow more at ease, and on the day the words will come on their own.
Building your arguments with examples
The real difference comes down to examples. A quality you mention without proof stays an empty claim; tied to a true story, it becomes convincing. This is what I call added value: what you bring on top, shown through an example. A simple three-step recipe works very well:
- A quality linked to the school: "I love working as a team."
- A concrete example that proves it: "During my class project on recycling, I coordinated the group and we saw the idea through to the end."
- The link to the school: "I saw that you have lots of group projects and clubs, and that's exactly what makes me want to come."
A sentence like that is worth more than ten "I'm motivated". Keep it in mind for each of your strong points.
The classic questions
Some questions come up time and again: your strengths, your weaknesses, what you enjoy at school, what you want to improve. You can prepare them calmly at home. For weaknesses, a word of advice: drop "I'm a perfectionist", it's far too common. Pick a real little weakness instead and show you're working on it: "It's true I'm sometimes disorganised. So I've started writing my homework in a planner, and it helps a lot." Owning a weakness and improving on it is mature — as long as it's genuine.
The first two minutes (and the rest)
Here we are. You're about to meet the school. Because your preparation is solid, it's going to go well. Here are the small touches that make the difference.
- Coming in: wait until you're invited in, smile, say hello. It sounds obvious, but nerves can make you forget.
- Sitting down: wait until you're offered a seat. Good manners count as much as your answers.
- The introduction: often the person introduces themselves, explains how the interview will run, then hands you the floor. This is your moment — the one you've worked on. Avoid the flat, chronological summary: lead with what catches attention.
Once you're under way, mind your body language. Your posture, your gaze and your voice say as much as your words. Sit up straight, look at the person (without staring), speak in a clear, steady voice. If there are several people, gently scan the group rather than addressing just one. And don't overdo it: stay yourself.
Handling difficult questions
Sometimes a question catches you out. Don't panic: it isn't a trap, just a way of seeing how you think. Your best weapon is still your preparation. If you need a second, you can ask for the question to be repeated or rephrase it yourself: that buys you time to shape your answer in your head. And if you genuinely don't know, it's better to say so honestly than to make something up.
Wrapping up the interview
Usually, you'll be asked whether you have any questions. It isn't compulsory, but a good question shows your interest. Avoid anything already on the website or in the brochure. Ask instead about a typical day, boarding life, or a club that appeals to you. You can also simply say thank you and restate your motivation in a sentence: that's a lovely way to finish.
My Student Hub's five practical tips
- Find out about the school: its strong subjects, its sport, its campus life — and be able to say in two sentences why it appeals to you.
- Prepare your one-to-two-minute introduction and practise it out loud, in front of a mirror or your parents.
- Back every quality with a concrete example, then link it to the school: that's your added value.
- Anticipate the classic questions (strengths, weaknesses, project) and keep a calm posture: steady voice, open gaze, back straight.
- Mind your sleep and your calm: sleep well the night before, arrive early, breathe before you go in. Nerves are normal — turn them into energy.
Frequently asked questions
How does a secondary school admissions interview work?
It's a conversation, in person or online, between you and one or two people from the school. They want to know you beyond your grades: who you are, what motivates you, how you think. Often your parents are seen too, before or after you.
How do I prepare for the admissions interview?
By re-reading your application profile and your motivation letter, then preparing a few concrete examples that are really you. Find out about the school and practise out loud, in front of a mirror or your parents. Preparation is your best weapon against nerves.
How should I introduce myself at the start of the interview?
Prepare a short one-to-two-minute introduction: who you are, what you enjoy, why this school. You don't need to tell your whole life in order: pick two or three things that make you a little unique and that make people want to know more.
How do I manage nerves before and during the interview?
Sleep well the night before, arrive early, breathe calmly before you go in. If a question catches you off guard, you're allowed to ask for it to be repeated: that buys you a few seconds to think. Nerves are normal and can even give you energy.
Should I ask a question at the end of the interview?
It isn't compulsory, but a good question shows your interest. Avoid anything already on the school's website. Ask instead about a typical day, boarding life, or a club that appeals to you. You can also simply say thank you and restate your motivation.
In summary
The admissions interview is the moment your application comes to life. Not an interrogation, but a meeting — a chance to show who you are beyond your grades. The secret comes down to one word: preparation. Re-read your profile and letter, prepare a short introduction, back your qualities with true examples, anticipate the questions and mind your calm. The rest is practising out loud and a little self-belief. You've made it this far: you've already done the hardest part. Breathe, be yourself, and over to you.
