High school entrance writing sample prep and interview coaching

Preparing for the writing sample

What is the writing sample?

Students will complete a writing sample one of two ways: as part of an entrance exam, or on a separate timed, proctored date. Either way, the private school writing sample is often students’ first experience with higher-stakes timed writing.

Students will not receive the writing sample prompt ahead of time, so working with a tutor to workshop flexible content and practice timed writing is valuable preparation. Tutors also work with students on essay organization, timing strategies, and the mechanics of excellent writing.

Writing sample tutoring process:

Students who aren’t working with a tutor to prepare for an entrance exam typically complete six sessions to get ready for the writing sample. Students who are preparing for an entrance exam with a tutor will cover the writing sample as part of that preparation.

Interview coaching

Prepare for the interview process

Every student applying to private schools will need to go through the interview process. While interviews can be fun and conversational, interviewers are also looking at how students interact with adults, students’ thought process and communication style, and their intellectual and emotional maturity.

Practice for the interview

Many young students are understandably anxious about interviews, but they don’t have to be – practice is the best way to manage nervousness and help students show their best selves!

Our interview coaching program

Our private school admissions tutors typically work with students for four sessions to get them ready for interviews. Interview coaching includes practice with the types of questions private school interviewers have asked in past years, ideas for how to present yourself effectively in interviews, and mock interviews with feedback.