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All applicants have a mandatory on-campus interview conducted by clinical staff and students. The candidate has the option to include or exclude family members (who are present as observers only).

We take a history from parents before scheduling the student interview. We are happy to review psychological reports, standardized testing, and prior academic performance as well; but we focus much more on our assessment of the student than on any written report. Most John Dewey students have underperformed academically for months or years prior to their arrival; thus, standardized testing and academic reports are not necessarily a true guide of student potential.

The interview is the crucial diagnostic assessment. Current attitude, rather than past performance, determines admission. Some specific objectives of the intake interview are to

1. Ascertain whether the applicant recognizes his/her maladaptive behavior and can make an initial commitment to change.
   
   
2. Determine if the candidate accepts responsibility for dysfunctional behavior and anti-social attitudes.
   
   
3. Elicit a perfunctory commitment to cooperate by abiding by our Cardinal Rules: abstinence from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol; sexual abstinence; abstinence from violence; honesty in all areas.
   
   
4. Assess the student's social maturity and ability to live cooperatively in a caring community.
   
   
5. Elicit an agreement to remain at JDA.

This interview determines if the applicant remains for a trial period before deciding whether (s)he wishes to stay. During the next few weeks, the applicant goes to class, attends groups, and interacts with students and staff. This extended evaluation period protects the integrity of the school and the community by enabling both student and JDA community members to make a more accurate assessment of the "fit."

After a variable time period that may last from weeks to a few months, the student "calls the vote." The community votes before the applicant is admitted, with a majority vote determining outcome. The prospective student speaks with peers at length prior to the vote, so the actual vote is less ambiguous and stressful than it may appear.