How to Prepare for Private School Admissions

Updated on October 17, 2019

Choosing to get your child admission to an international school in Manila is a decision many parents and expats alike take. Some children benefit from an all-inclusive and diverse education. There are many reasons parents may wish to place their children in these schools. Children need more personal attention from teachers to thrive. They may need special classes and extracurricular programs. Some children move from abroad and may have difficulty fitting into a public school immediately due to cultural or language differences. All in all, the admission process for these schools is usually tough and competitive. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the admission process of your child:

1. Prepare early.

One of the most important things to remember about private school admissions is that they take a long time. Applications can sometimes start a year ahead of the session. There is usually a multi-stage process for the admission, with applications being made available at a certain time and applications closing after a certain date. Then, there is a selection and interview process. If your child does well in the selection and interview process, they can get admitted.

2. Practice for the admission test.

Your child will need to practice for the admission test as it is the biggest factor in the selection process. If there is a standardized test that they will have to take, such as different stages of the SAT, then they should look at past question papers and start taking mock tests. This will prepare your child for the written part of the admission test, which is often the hard part.

3. Prepare for the interview.

The verbal interview will also have a big influence on your child’s admission. You need to get your child ready for it by practising with them in person. This is especially applicable if your child is generally not outgoing and is introverted. For many of them, this will be their first serious interview, and they may be taken aback by it. Expect questions such as why they want to go to this particular school, what they are passionate about, and what they want to do when they grow up.

4. Ease the anxiety associated with the process.

The process of getting admitted can be quite stressful, especially for a child. Remember to reassure them and prevent them from overworking themselves. The best way to help with exam-related stress is to prepare for each step without overdoing it. Make sure that your child knows that the result of the test doesn’t reflect their worth and that you will support them no matter what.

Do all the research that you can, and organize your financial documents and other relevant papers. The admission process is quite intense, and this can become stressful for both parents and children. Throughout the process, remember to keep yourself grounded and organized. Always remember that even if your child is not able to get admitted into this session, there are always more opportunities to come.

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