How to prepare for a scholarship interview

School scholarships are highly sought after and so the selection process is carefully designed to identify the most deserving students.

“Students may be talented – but we are looking for more than that,” says Dr Mark Merry, principal of Yarra Valley Grammar.

“We look at potential scholarship students with a global view – what can they bring to our school and what can our school bring them?”

An interview is often a crucial part of the process and involves both parents and students.

“Parents come to the interview because the decision to attend a certain school is a family decision,” says Dr Merry. “The interview is an opportunity to learn more about a student and to find out their reasons for choosing the school. We often ask what the family knows about Yarra Valley Grammar and our programs, and we want to know where the student’s passion lies.

“The interview is also a time for a student and parents to ask questions. You can find out what your son or daughter needs to do when they are a scholarship student and that’s not about getting high distinctions. Contribution, not achievement, is
very important.”

Yarra Valley Grammar in Ringwood is one of many independent schools in Melbourne that offers a range of scholarships. Dr Merry says most schools follow a similar application process but he says there is more to it than simply a positive interview.

“What gets students in the interview room initially is their folio. I love to see what young people have been up to – to find out about the music competitions and concerts they have been part of or to hear about the best and fairest awards they’ve received. All that shows enthusiasm and that is what schools look for,” he says.

Dr Deb Priest, principal at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar agrees that aside from academic excellence, schools are keen to find students who will embrace everything that a school community has to offer. General excellence scholarships, such as the Cooerwull General Excellence Scholarships at Ivanhoe Girls’ involve an academic test but emphasis is also placed on leadership, teamwork and citizenship.

“I am looking for girls who have demonstrated persistence in learning an instrument, they might have been doing community service or spent a number of years with Red Cross, or they might be working hard at club sport level,” says Dr Priest.

Applications for general excellence scholarships often require written answers to questions in order to highlight a student’s character and interests.

“We might ask them what they like to do in their recreation time or what they most want to achieve from coming to our school,” says Dr Priest.

Students who get through that stage are then interviewed. Dr Priest focuses firmly on the student during the interview and advises parents and students against rehearsing.

“Some children have clearly been practising their responses with their parents for months. They can come across like automatons and don’t show their personality. I would say to students ‘just be yourself’ because I want to know who you are now, today. I want to know you,” she says. “We look for students who can look at me eye-to-eye when they talk and who are eager and interested. I want to see their eyes light up when they talk about things they are passionate about.”