Mastering School Admission DSA Interviews: Essential Tips (Part 2)
As mentioned in Part 1, a school admission interview can be intimidating because of how consequential it may be (most who qualify for the interview most likely all have academic qualifications that are competitive), but with effective preparation, you can have that additional edge and stand out in the eyes of your interviewer(s). In this article, we share essential DSA school admission interview tips that will help your child formulate and articulate swift and outstanding responses in any interview setting.
Practice Common Interview Questions
One of the most predictable DSA interview tips is to practice answering commonly asked interview questions – and certainly it is because it helps to eliminate or at least mitigate the element of shock when the same question or question-type pops up. This is definitely a confidence booster and allows your child to formulate responses with greater clarity and impact. Some might say “What if the interviewer(s) thinks that my child’s response is ‘too polished’?” – That means they are impressed, and whilst they may think that, but being prepared and taking the effort to run through some commonly asked interview questions is never a fault!
Example: For questions like “Why do you want to attend this school?”, craft an answer that includes personal growth goals, and more importantly, HOW CAN THE SCHOOL BENEFIT FROM YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH. For instance, “I want to attend this school because it offers a strong program on mathematics which will allow me to continue to develop my Maths Olympiad skills & experience and contribute back to the growth of the school’s Mathematics program.”
Showcase Your Achievements with Tact (i.e. #humble brag)
Imagine this comparison, instead of it being “I did this…I achieved this…”, how about shifting emphasis to “how it was achieved” + “values learnt through the achievement”. A balanced approach is key when your child refers to his or her accomplishments/ accolades.
Example: When talking about winning a regional math competition, explain the hard work that went into preparation + the guidance given by the Olympiad trainer (i.e. how it was achieved) and how it taught you the value of perseverance and teamwork, how humbling it was to see the throng of strong competitors who have prepared a lot as well to duke it out for the competition (i.e. values learnt). Place focus on these things rather than simply stating the achievement itself.
Display Confidence Through Body Language
Non-verbal communication cues can ‘speak’ volumes during an interview. Maintain eye contact, smile, and sit up straight to demonstrate confidence and readiness to engage in the conversation. We have a set of articles just on body language when it comes to presentations and public speaking (which can be modified for interpersonal communication in an face-to-face interview setting):
Example: During your practice mock interview training (which is part of the training we offer in our Interview Skills Workshop, ask a third-party to note your body language (any slouching, any fleeting eye contact, any pursing of the lips, any shaking of the leg, any twiddling with the fingernails etc.). Practice maintaining sustained eye contact while answering questions, which not only shows confidence but also helps build a rapport with the interviewer(s).
Stay tune for part 3 where we share the other DSA interview tips – 1. Managing the interview nerves or speech anxiety, and 2. Showcasing authenticity, and more!
Please bear with us – as yes, the following will be a brief product plug for our ISM (Interview Skills Mastery program for children, ONLY during March Holidays):
Our interview workshop is not just another event on your child’s academic calendar—it’s an opportunity to build interpersonal communication skills, speaking confidence, refine body language cues, and learn the interview techniques that can help your child succeed during the DSA or University school admission/ internship/ scholarship process. The many benefits of attending a quality interview workshop include – helps demystify the interview process, imparts practical strategies for preparation, and clocking in the effective rehearsals and practices through mock interview sessions.
More tips on public speaking & communication skills
Check out our tips on the following five communication topics:
Speaking Confidence Building Strategy
Effective Presentation Techniques
Impromptu Speaking / Think-fast-on-the-feet skills
Our Public speaking & Presentation Skills Training Courses
If you’re keen on taking your communication skills to the next level, to improve your persuasive speaking skills through our training programs:
Click for more about our (weekly group classes) Public Speaking Courses for Adults
Click for more about our (2-day) public speaking/ presentation course for adults
Click for more about our (weekly group classes) Public Speaking Course for Kids / Children
Click for more about our (2-day) public speaking holiday program for Kids / Children
Click for more about our (2-half-day) DSA interview skills holiday program for Kids / Children