So, you’ve done all the hard work of preparing a stellar application, complete with essays, activity lists, and resumes galore, but now there is one more step: the college interview. The interview portion of applying to college can easily feel like the most intimidating part, but amidst the stress, it’s important to think of this as the opportunity to add personality to your application.
Whether your interview is conducted by a current student, alumnus, or an admissions officer, the goal remains the same: they want to get to know you, and they’re able to do that by engaging in meaningful conversation that goes beyond grades and test scores. They want to understand you on a personal level: how you think, how you engage with others, and what you might be able to contribute to their community.
However intimidating it may feel, don’t forget this is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the school from someone who has firsthand experience with its academic and social environment. With some preparation and practice, you can feel secure walking into your interview. Read this blog for more tips on how!
How to prepare for your college interview?
Preparation is key to making a great first impression in any case, but especially in college interviews. You don’t want to come off as scripted, but spending some time considering what answers you’d give to certain predictable questions will always be an asset. You might want to spend some time thinking about the image you hope to present and the themes you’d like the interviewer to remember about you. To do this, we encourage students to reflect on their experiences and try to choose three or four themes that showcase their strengths, passions, and values.
But what does this mean? Well, if you’re hoping that a given school might think of you as a leader, you should spend some time brainstorming a few stories where you were able to be a leader. A good example might be the time you organized a weekly team dinner to foster a sense of belonging while you served as captain of the tennis team. Or, if you’re hoping a certain school might think of you as devoted to matters of academic curiosity, you could talk about the time you presented a research paper in front of your class or attended a workshop geared toward a specific topic.
No matter what themes you choose to highlight– and remember, these should have some relevance to what you shared about yourself in your application materials— the more specific and detailed each story is, the more memorable they’ll be not only to you, but also to the interviewer.
Anticipating Certain Questions
While it’s impossible to predict every question you’ll be asked during a college interview, certain topics are bound to come up. To prevent yourself from being caught off guard, it can help to think through some of these major questions ahead of time.
A few examples are:
Tell me about yourself:
This question is a common one that students are likely to be asked not just in college interviews, but in any job interview or professional setting they encounter. It’s a great question because it gives students an open-ended chance to share their values and introduce their core self.
While you don’t want this to come off as over-rehearsed, having an idea of what you’re planning to say is certainly better than nothing. So ask yourself: who are you? Are you an athlete who has a passion for Marine Biology? Are you family-oriented, a creative person, or a hard-working entrepreneur? Whoever you are, just come prepared with some example stories to back it up.
Why are you interested in our school?:
This is a particularly important question that students attending a college interview can be expected to answer. You don’t want some standard or bland answer about how great their academics are, how you love their sports programs, and campus feel. Those are statements that can apply to (hopefully!) every school on your list.
You should provide specific details about the academic offerings that are suited to your career goals, specific experiences you look forward to having on campus, and concrete examples as to how you’ll give back to X school, but also how you’ll make the most of your time there. Being able to answer this question thoughtfully shows admissions officers that you’ve carefully considered your future and how a given institution is the best fit to help you reach your goals.
Demonstrating your best self and understanding expectations
College interviews aren’t just about the things you say; your personal image and demeanor are also very important in interviews. Your interviewer will likely note if you’re dressed appropriately (business casual is generally appropriate). They’ll appreciate candidates who are punctual, but also practice good communication skills like eye contact, active listening, and genuine enthusiasm. However, the most important quality is to be yourself!
Before your interview, remember that it helps to research everything you can about the school to help you understand the differing expectations that might exist between institutions. Some colleges might treat interviews as formal evaluations, while others might see them as an informal conversation. However, in any case, your goal should be the same: to make sure they get a sense of who you are beyond your application.
Conclusion
Our team has helped many students not just through their college essays, but also the interview portion of their application. We help students find their confidence, deliver engaging responses, and give themselves the best chance at success when applying to their dream schools.
Check out our team bios or read our blog to learn more about what to expect in a college advising session.