College Interview Tips
Drive. Courteousness. Friendliness. These are just a few positive attributes that
are not obvious on your college admissions application. However, you can make them
apparent during a college interview.
College interviews are opportunities to show admissions officers that you are more
than what they learned from your application. College interviews are not required,
but they can increase your chances of being accepted by a
"reach" college,
where your qualifications don't meet all admissions requirements.
Typically, interviews last between 30 and 60 minutes, and they can be with an admissions
officer or one of the college's alumni. Prepare for your college interviews by following
these steps:
- Research the college on its website so you can speak intelligently about it during
the interview.
- While researching, come up with questions that you can ask regarding aspects of
the college that aren't detailed on the website in order to help you get a better
feel for what it will be like to spend your time, energy, and money there.
- Think about the one aspect about yourself that you think is most important for
the interviewer to remember.
- Get to campus early and, if possible, explore it a bit to get a feel for the place
and to calm yourself.
Remember these tips during your college interviews:
- Start with a firm handshake and a smile. Be positive.
- Give specific examples to back up your answers. If you are asked to talk about
your leadership abilities, don't only say that you were captain of a sports team.
Give examples of how you acted as a leader and what impact you had on others.
- Interviewers want to get to know you. Be sure to elaborate on your answers, and
let your personality and thought process shine through.
- Be natural and conversational. Don't memorize your answers to potential questions
in advance.
- Be polite and professional– it can go a long way.
- Thank the person who interviews you, ask for a business card, and firmly shake
his or her hand when the interview is finished.
- Follow up with a written thank-you note that reminds the interviewer of your strong
interest in that college. Courtesy goes a long way in making a positive impression.
Have someone in your family ask you questions so you can practice being interviewed.
Think carefully about your responses. Here are some sample interview questions:
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What activities are you involved in?
- Why are you interested in this college?
- Which classes do you enjoy the most in high school?
- What field do you plan to major in, and why?
- What are your future goals and aspirations?
- Is there anything else that you would like to mention?