THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW.

“Confidence comes from being prepared.” – John Wooden

A college interview is mainly required now by a small set of private institutions, but if you happen to be applying to one of those, here is some information and advice. If you have the chance to interview elsewhere, where the interview process is optional, it can still be beneficial to do so if you can. Treat the interview as an equal opportunity to learn about the college or university and for the school to learn about you. Be prepared and put your best foot forward. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Below is a list of questions you could be asked to answer. Role-play in advance with a parent or friend so you become comfortable with your responses. Have them ask you the questions and see what your answers would be. Answer them honestly, don’t try to guess what the interviewer wants to hear.

Always be yourself, but it is good to have a plan for what you might be asked.

Reflection is important, so even if you are not asked these specific questions, having an answer to them is still great for you.

GOALS AND VALUES

·       What aspects of your high school years have you enjoyed the most? If you could live this period of your life over again, would you do anything differently?

·       What kind of person would you like to become?

·       Is there anything you have secretly wanted to do or be? If you had a year to go anywhere and do whatever you wanted, where would you go and what would you do?

·       What events or experiences have shaped your growth and way of thinking?

YOUR EDUCATION

·       What are your academic interests? Which courses have you enjoyed the most? Why? Which have been the most difficult?

·       What do you choose to learn when you learn on your own?

·       How do you study best? Do you benefit more from group or individual study?

·       How would you describe your high school?

·       How well has your high school prepared you for college?

·       Are there any situations or circumstances that have interfered with your academic performance?

YOUR ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

·       What activities do you enjoy most outside of school?

·       How would others describe your role in your school or community?

·       What do you choose to do with your leisure time? How do you relax? How do you manage stress?

THE WORLD AROUND YOU

·       Describe your family/neighborhood/hometown.

·       What has been the most controversial issue in your high school or community? What has been your reaction to or involvement in this controversy?

·       Do you have any heroes or heroines? Who are they? Why do you think of them this way?

·       How comfortable are you with diversity? How do you deal with people who think and act differently than you do? How well do you separate opinions from fact and principles from personalities?

·       Have you read any books, heard music, seen any movies that have affected or changed your way of thinking or prompted you to change? Are you aware of the news, headlines, and world events?

YOUR PERSONALITY AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

·       Which relationships are the most important to you?

·       How do you define diversity? Is diversity something you welcome in college?

·       Describe your strengths and weaknesses. What, if anything, do you learn from your weaknesses?

YOUR INTERVIEWER

Know your interviewer! Is the person interviewing an alum of the school, or is this person maybe an admission representative working at the college?

What do you hope to achieve by interviewing? Try to learn all you can about your interviewer

prior to your meeting. Google is your friend!

Don’t be afraid to engage. The best interviews, either here or in the job market, are conversational. Ask them questions.

GOOD QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK ALUMNI INTERVIEWERS

You can get a unique look at the school if the interviewer is an alum. Clearly the school made a significant impact in this person’s life if they are choosing to interview new applicants.

·       Why did YOU select this college/university?

·       What college subjects did you like best?

·       What was your most rewarding college experience?

·       What was your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you handle it?

·       Did you attend graduate school after college, or did you go straight to work?

·       Was the college able to support you through internships or alumni connections?

·       How would you suggest I get involved in freshman year?

·       How did your experiences on campus shape your career and life after graduating?

·       If you had it to do over again, is there anything you would do differently?

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES

Some of these questions you should be able to answer on the website, but it in case you have not, this is all good information to have.

·       Where do the majority of students come from?

·       What are the most popular majors?

·       Are athletics a major part of the social life here?

·       Is housing guaranteed for freshmen? Is it required?

·       Is there anything I can do to strengthen my application?

·       Will I be working with you throughout the admissions process?

·       What career planning services are offered? How many students are accepted into graduate schools? Do companies and organizations recruit on campus?

·       How would you describe the college/university? What stands out as its most characteristic, defining quality?

·       Are there opportunities for research as an undergraduate? How do I secure research opportunities?

·       What is campus life like on weekends? What percent of students leave campus on weekends?

       NOTE: BE PREPARED FOR THESE, ALWAYS

        These obvious, vague, broad-stroke questions are almost always asked in interview settings. Just be      

        prepared for the obvious!

·       Tell me something about yourself.

·       How did you become interested in us?

·       What is most important to you as you compare colleges?

·       What are your strengths and weaknesses?

·       Do you have any questions? (Make sure you do!)

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR COLLEGE INTERVIEWS

A college interview is your chance to tell the school everything that your grades and test scores do not. While every interview is a different experience, there are a few general dos and don'ts that can give you confidence and ensure your success.

DO

·       Plan to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. Know the location of the interview, and know how long it takes to arrive there. Leave extra time for the parking situation.

·       Prepare and practice answers for common interview questions. Don't wait until the last minute to review questions and your answers.

·       Dress appropriately.

·       Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, don't take it into the interview.

·       Greet the interviewer by title and last name.

·       Try to find out as much about your interviewer as possible through Google or LinkedIn

·       Shake hands firmly and wait to be offered a seat before you sit down.

·       Remember posture and body language. Don't slouch. Don't fidget.

·       Stress your achievements. This is your chance to sell yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself when asked, you have accomplishments, don’t be afraid to tell them.

·       Have a few questions for your interviewer prepared in advance.

·       Ask intelligent questions about the school, programs, and faculty. Show enthusiasm

when appropriate.

·       Close the interview by verifying your interest in the school.

         DO NOT

·       Reschedule the interview unless it's absolutely unavoidable.

·       Forget the interviewer's name and title.

·       Forget to smile.

·       Answer every question with a simple Yes or No. Elaborate on your answers whenever possible.

·       LIE. Answers questions honestly. If you don't know, say so.

·       Offer negative information about yourself. Do not tell a story about how funny it was when you threw your brother off the roof.

·       Forget to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.

·       Forget to promptly send a handwritten thank you note to the interviewer.

·       Worry too much. The interview will not make or break you.

ALWAYS FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU NOTE!