As Pinewood refines its admissions process, school leaders and student ambassadors say the school is placing renewed emphasis on authentic, face-to-face connections between applicants and the community they hope to join.
Lisa Longbottom, Director of Admissions at Upper Campus, said these personal interactions most clearly take shape during applicant interviews, where conversations help the admissions team better understand each student.
While many independent schools in the area are leaning toward virtual or recorded interview platforms, Longbottom said Pinewood intentionally prioritizes in-person evaluations because real-time conservations allow for deeper connection and flexibility.
“What we excel at here at Pinewood is adding personalized attention,” Longbottom said. “Prospective families consistently tell us their child felt comfortable and genuinely heard.”
That same focus on personal interaction, Longbottom said, extends beyond interviews by allowing prospective families to experience Pinewood through the authentic voices of current students. After a brief overview from administrators, prospective families spend much of their visit guided by current upperclassmen.
Senior Dhruv Gupta, one of Pinewood’s tour ambassadors chosen by Longbottom, said recent changes have shifted campus tours toward a more authentic, student-driven experience.
“We moved away from scripted tours to more spontaneous, authentic ones, where our talking points depend on what we as tour guides are genuinely passionate about at Pinewood,” Gupta said. “I think that gives the tours a more homey, authentic feel.”
Admissions events this year also include discussion of upcoming campus renovations, which Longbottom said the school approaches with utmost transparency. While some prospective families express concern about disruption caused by construction, Longbottom noted that many are excited by the long-term investment and $62.5 million already put aside for the project.
Longbottom said that the goal of the admissions team is not simply to evaluate applicants, but to help families understand the community behind the application.
“Parents can hear all the details from us,” Longbottom said. “But they really want to hear from students who are living the Pinewood experience every day.”
