In our previous post, we introduced the basics of U.S. high schools, the application process and required materials, U.S. high school rankings, and how to prepare your application essays. This issue focuses primarily on the interview component of the U.S. high school application process.
The interview is a mandatory part of applying to U.S. high schools. As applicants’ standardized test scores and essay quality have generally improved, interviews have become increasingly important, serving as a key differentiator among candidates. Below, we introduce the four most common interview formats.
1. Vericant Interview
The Vericant interview is an assessment type that has emerged in recent years due to the sharp increase in the number of students applying to U.S. high schools. On one hand, with the growing number of applicants, schools cannot schedule individual interviews for every student and thus rely on third-party evaluations to reduce the number of direct interviews they must conduct. On the other hand, many students now achieve strong standardized test scores but lack corresponding practical language proficiency, so schools use third-party assessments to initially gauge applicants’ language abilities. Vericant interview results must be submitted together with standardized test scores and other application materials.
Vericant is an independent third-party interview provider commissioned by U.S. schools to conduct video-recorded interviews and writing tests for Chinese applicants. Its full name is “Vericant Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd.” It is a company registered in Hong Kong and also a formally registered foreign-invested enterprise in Beijing. Currently, Vericant offers interview locations in 16 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Dalian, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Qingdao, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Seoul. Specific interview dates can be reserved and checked on their website.
Vericant Official Website:
http://students.vericant.com/
List of schools currently using Vericant interviews:
https://students.vericant.com/partner-institutions/
Interview Process
The entire Vericant interview lasts 45 minutes and includes two components: a writing test and a video-recorded interview.
On-site Writing Test
Vericant writing prompts are diverse and moderately difficult. During the writing test, students have 30 minutes to complete one of three randomly selected topics provided by the Vericant system (applicants to graduate programs choose between two topics). Students may use the back of the third page of the answer sheet for drafting, but the final version will be sent to the schools. The test is handwritten, not typed. There are no clocks in the writing room, so please bring your own watch. The proctor will give a time reminder five minutes before the test ends.
Face-to-Face Video-Recorded Interview
Vericant arranges for native English-speaking interviewers to conduct face-to-face interviews with students. Except for Chinese-language questions (included only in interviews for high school applicants), the entire interview is conducted in English. To facilitate school review, the company records the entire interview. The interview lasts ten minutes and consists of the following five parts:
1. Minutes 1–2: Warm-up questions;
2. Minutes 2–4: Picture comparison;
3. Minutes 4–7: In-depth conversation;
4. Minutes 8–10: Chinese-language questions (high school applicants only);
5. Minutes 10–12: Free expression (optional).
Interview Results
Within 10 business days after all interview components are completed, the results will be sent to the schools, and the student’s English communication skills assessment report will be emailed to the student. (Note: Vericant partner schools send Vericant the list of students who need to be interviewed. To ensure schools receive your interview results as early as possible, please submit your online application to the school promptly after scheduling your Vericant interview.)
Important Notes
Although each school has its own Vericant deadline, try to schedule your interview as early as possible if you can. Doing so allows your results to be sent to multiple schools and increases your chances of securing an on-campus interview when admissions officers visit China.
Generally, you can only take the Vericant interview once, as most schools do not accept retakes. Therefore, make thorough preparations before scheduling your appointment.
Pay special attention to your Vericant writing sample, TOEFL essay, and application essays, as schools consider all three. The quality level of these three pieces should be consistent; otherwise, schools may detect discrepancies. Since the interview is recorded, it is best to dress in formal attire and avoid wearing black or striped clothing.
2. Skype Interview
For U.S. high school applications, applicants who cannot attend in-person interviews may schedule phone or video interviews with the school. Applicants opting for phone interviews should activate international calling services in advance and use a reliable long-distance service with clear signal quality. For Skype interviews, coordinate your Skype username with the school ahead of time to ensure quick connection at the scheduled time.
Important Notes
First, confirm your technical setup in advance. Network issues can create difficult situations. Interviewers will always be punctual, but if network problems prevent you from notifying the interviewer in time, it will leave a very negative impression.
Second, unlike face-to-face interviews, the lack of physical presence means interviewers pay closer attention to pronunciation. Since a cold, flat resume cannot convey deeper personal qualities, seize opportunities to proactively share them. Interviewers prefer well-rounded, vivid individuals over one-dimensional candidates easily summarized on a single page. Convey your ideas, values, and emotions to the interviewer, letting them feel: “This candidate is more distinctive than I imagined.”
Third, U.S.-based Skype interviewers generally fall into two categories. The first type asks pre-prepared questions in a highly structured manner; be mentally prepared for this. The second type may start with one or two prepared questions but will follow up if you mention something interesting. Proactively steer the conversation toward topics you wish to highlight, using lively and engaging language to guide the interviewer.
Fourth, prepare both a long and a short version of your self-introduction, depending on the interviewer’s preference. Overall, keep it concise; taking up too much interview time is unfavorable. You may memorize your introduction, but deliver it naturally so the interviewer does not notice.听说 there is a specific scoring criterion for oral communication skills, so making a good first impression through spoken English is highly worthwhile. Do not rely on extensive buildup before delivering your key points.
3. On-Campus Interviews by Admissions Officers Visiting China
Admissions officers from some U.S. private high schools travel to China to interview applicants. They typically present their school to parents and students, then conduct individual interviews with students in a Q&A format. However, this trend is declining:
Boarding schools are gradually reducing the frequency of their recruitment visits to China. On one hand, they are exploring new, rapidly developing markets. On the other hand, more families planning for younger students are becoming proactive, traveling to the U.S. to visit schools in person, gain authentic insights into U.S. high schools, and facilitate easier engagement with schools.
Timing
Generally starting in October
How to Obtain Information
1. FindingSchool releases an annual summary of school information for China, where you can make online appointments:
http://www.findingschool.net/schooltrip/201
2. Follow the official websites of your target schools
IV. On-Campus Interviews
Overview
An increasing number of schools require students to attend on-campus interviews. This allows children to experience the campus environment, while also enabling the school to indirectly assess the student's family background.
Basic Process
On-campus interviews are generally accompanied by a campus tour. The process is similar at most schools: a student leads a tour of the academic buildings, dormitories, and sports and arts facilities for about half an hour. Afterwards, the interviewer conducts the interview with the child while the parents wait. After the interview, the interviewer talks with the parents, usually asking if they have any questions, and sometimes summarizing the discussion with the child. In most cases, the conversation with parents is held separately, though sometimes the child joins in. Many schools hold a whole-school assembly around 10 a.m.; if you visit during this time, the entire family will likely be invited to observe. If your visit coincides with lunchtime, the school will arrange for you to eat in the cafeteria, giving you an opportunity to assess the quality of the meals.
Some schools may arrange for class attendance, typically involving 1-2 periods. During these trial classes, children gain firsthand experience of the school's teaching methods, course difficulty, classroom atmosphere, and student caliber, leaving a deep impression.
If you happen to visit during the school's Open Day, the activities are even more extensive. Parents and children start their day with breakfast at the school. During the meal, there may be speeches by the principal and opportunities to interact with volunteer parents currently enrolled. This is followed by a campus tour and lunch. In the afternoon, the child attends classes alongside a current student, followed by an interview. Meanwhile, parents gather in the auditorium, where teachers from various departments—academic, sports, arts, and college counseling—provide introductions and answer questions. Finally, parents and children attend a forum together, with 2-3 students from each grade level available to answer various questions from families. This provides a very comprehensive understanding of the school!
