Interview FAQs

A: Your interview is a wonderful opportunity to share who you are, what excites you inside and outside of school, and how you'd like to contribute your unique talents and interests to enrich the Dana Hall community. It also provides you another chance to learn more about Dana Hall School. There's no need to be nervous (we're very friendly, and we love talking to students!). We encourage you to relax, be yourself, and have fun!

A: The interview is a conversation, not a test! You will not be asked questions that test your knowledge of any particular topic, academic subject, or Dana Hall. 

We want to get to know you as much as we can during our conversation. To help us learn more about you, you may want to spend some time before your interview reflecting on your last few years in school, thinking about your current academic experiences and activities, and envisioning your ideal school community.

In addition, it’s always a good idea to get to know what Dana Hall offers by exploring our materials and website before your interview. That way, you’ll be prepared to ask any additional questions you have about our School during the interview.

A: Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. We want you to be yourself because our purpose is to get to know the real you!

A: Prior to the interview, we ask applicants to login to their Ravenna accounts and check that their student and household data is complete and accurate. If you haven’t already, start your application to Dana Hall by selecting the green “apply” button and the applicable application type. Depending on your application type, the interview step in Ravenna will indicate if you need to submit additional parts of the application before the interview. 

A: Dana Hall’s platform for virtual interviews is Zoom. If you do not have access to Zoom, make sure you contact admission@danahall.org to request a Skype interview and provide your Skype ID when scheduling your interview.

We are operating our interviews under Dana Hall School’s Zoom account and guidelines. All Zoom participants must login via a registered Zoom account for access. If you do not sign into your Zoom account, you will receive an error message requiring ‘authentication.’

Verify your Zoom software or Skype software is updated. Zoom and Skype sometimes release updates to their software or apps. Allow time to update the latest version of Zoom or Skype prior to your scheduled interview.

Because we will be asking you to complete a brief writing exercise, we ask that you join the interview on a desktop, laptop, or tablet with a keyboard. 

A: Due to COVID-19, our tours and interviews take place separately. All interviews are conducted on Zoom, while we are offering tours both in-person and virtually. Tours will be led by current students and provide a wonderful introduction to the school. While it is not required to tour before the interview, we strongly encourage you to have this experience before your interview. 

A: Once your interview is scheduled through the Admission Office, we will send you a reminder email with a Zoom link and password the week before your interview. 

Login to Zoom about 5-10 minutes prior to the start. You will enter a waiting room until the interviewer is ready to begin. 

A: Not at all! You may share the link you receive in your email reminder so that each person can connect with us from wherever he/she is. Parents/guardians should join the call approximately 30 minutes after the scheduled start time, as we do speak with students and adults separately.

A: Our goal is to get to know you, your family, and your current interests both in and out of school. We also look to learn what about Dana Hall you believe would make a good match for your next school. Interviews will last about 75 minutes.  First, an admission counselor will speak with you on your own, and then we’ll ask to chat privately with your parent(s)/guardian(s). We do request that, when possible, students and parents/guardians speak with us separately. There will be time at the end for you to ask your interviewer any questions you have about Dana Hall or the application process.

Your interviewer will also facilitate a brief, 10-minute writing exercise during your interview. You do not need to prepare for the writing exercise. We only ask that you have join.nearpod.com opened in separate browser on your computer/laptop/tablet. 

A: Your interviewer will mark the interview step in Ravenna complete. Continue to submit your application materials and track the status of your application through Ravenna. Your interviewer is now your first point of contact with the school. If you have any updates or questions, be sure to contact your interviewer. Remember that applications are due by January 15.

A: Please contact the Admission office at 781-489-1331 or admission@danahall.org if you need further information before your interview or have technical difficulties during your interview.