College Admissions Interview
Does the thought of sitting down face-to-face with a college admissions officer for an interview provoke a nerve-racking, stomach-churning, sweaty-palm reaction? Take a deep breath—there are several things you can do to prevent your interview from becoming a head-to-head intimidation session.
Do a Mock Interview
The secret to conquering any interview? Practice, practice, practice. Do a mock interview with your parents, teachers, or friends. Ask yourself the same questions again and again to better formulate and understand your responses the second time around.
A few of the most common interview questions college admissions officers will ask you are:
Continually practicing interview questions will give you a heads up on the competition when it comes time for the actual interview itself…and it will help to keep your nerves a little more tame as well.
A few of the most common interview questions college admissions officers will ask you are:
- Why do you want to attend this university?
- What is your strongest/weakest point?
- What have you done to prepare for college?
- What has been your greatest experience in high school?
- Tell me about yourself (focus on three things).
- Tell me about your involvement in extracurricular activities.
- What do you want to do in the future?
- If you could meet any important figure in the past or present, who would it be and what would you talk about?
- What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Continually practicing interview questions will give you a heads up on the competition when it comes time for the actual interview itself…and it will help to keep your nerves a little more tame as well.
Always Make a Good First Impression
Dressing appropriately is key when it comes to a job interview, so why would your college admissions interview be any different? Be certain to dress to impress, be aware of your posture, and make good eye contact. Treat this interview as if it were a job interview.
- Gentlemen, please wear your pants with a belt and keep underwear hidden from public view. Ladies, please check clothes for proper fit also.
- Leave hats, flip-flops, sunglasses, graphic T-shirts and jeans at home.
- Remove any piercings except those from your ears. Jewelry should not distract the interviewer from communicating and building rapport.
- Stick to the basics. For guys, khaki pants with a belt and a collared shirt tucked in gives a perfect look. For girls, a knee length skirt or dress slacks with a simple blouse creates a positive impression. If your interview is in the winter, wear an overcoat.
- Wear appropriate and polished shoes. Ladies, leave the platforms with the nine-inch heels and fishnet stockings for another occasion. Gentleman, please note that sneakers do not go with the ensemble mentioned above in tip #4.
- Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume.
- Ladies should keep makeup simple and light. Gentlemen should shave or have their facial hair neatly trimmed.
- Use an iron. Wrinkled clothes give the wrong impression about your ambition.
- Keep your hairstyle simple and conservative. Avoid extreme styles and/or colors.
- Be sure to wear a smile.
Go Ahead, Brag a Little!
Don’t be shy. Brag about your accomplishments and your involvement in extracurricular activities. Schools want students who not only are academically inclined, but who are interesting people as well. Talk about work experience, any clubs or organizations you are involved in, any community service you have completed, your hobbies, or even unique summer jobs you have held. If there are any drawbacks to your application, take this time to explain that also. The more the admissions officer can find out about you, the better.
Quiz Your Interviewer
Even though questions seem to be coming at you from all directions, and nerves might be skyrocketing, it’s important to keep your cool and be yourself. You should ask the interviewer some questions, too. If you are undecided about a major, for example, ask the admissions officer about different majors and programs the school offers to show that you are serious about finding your professional niche. After all, the admissions officer wants to get to know the real you.
What to do Next?
As with a job interview, send a thank you letter to the admissions officer and any others who may have been helpful during your visit. Also, be sure to include any additional information about yourself you think is relevant that you might have forgotten to mention during your interview. Choosing which school you will attend is a decision that should be thought out with much care, after all, it’s where you will be spending the next four years of your life
Interview Questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
- This question seems easier than it is. How do you reduce your whole life to a few sentences? And it's hard to avoid commonplace answers like "I'm friendly" or "I'm a good student." Of course you want to demonstrate that you're friendly and studious, but try also to say something memorable here that really makes you different from other college applicants. Can you hold your breath longer than anyone in your school? Do you have a huge collection of Pez dispensers? Do you have unusual cravings for sushi?
- Be specific when answering this, and show that you've done your research. Also, avoid answers like "I want to make a lot of money" or "Graduates of your college get good job placement." You want to highlight your intellectual interests, not your materialistic desires. What specifically about the college distinguishes it from other schools you're considering?
- You can almost guarantee that your interviewer will provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. Make sure you have some, and make sure your questions are thoughtful and specific to the particular college. Avoid questions like "when is the application deadline?" or "how many majors do you have?" This information is both uninteresting and readily available on the school's webpage. Come up with some probing and focused questions: "What would graduates of your college say was the most valuable thing about their four years here?" "I read that you offer a major in interdisciplinary studies. Could you tell me more about that?"
- There are other variations of this question: Who's your hero? What historical or fictional character would you most like to be like? This can be an awkward question if you haven't thought about it, so spend a few minutes considering how you would answer. Identify a few real, historical, and fictional characters you admire, and be prepared to articulate WHY you admire them.
- Realize that you don't need to have decided upon a major when you apply to college, and your interviewer will not be disappointed if you say you have many interests and you need to take more classes before choosing a major. However, if you have identified a potential major, be prepared to explain why. Avoid saying that you want to major in something because you'll make a lot of money -- your passion for a subject will make you a good college student, not your greed.
- You'll want to be specific when answering this question. An answer like "I'm hard-working" is rather bland and generic. Think about what it is that makes you uniquely you. What exactly will you bring to diversify the college's community?
- This question is designed to see what kind of problem solver you are. When confronted with a challenge, how do you handle the situation? College will be full of challenges, so the college wants to make sure they enroll students who can handle them.
- "Hangin' out and chillin'" is a weak answer for this question. College life obviously isn't all work, so the admissions folks want students who will do interesting and productive things even when they aren't studying. Do you write? hike? play tennis? Use a question such as this one to show that you are well-rounded with a variety of interests.
- You don't need to pretend that you have your life figured out if you get a question like this. Very few students entering college could accurately predict their future professions. However, your interviewer does want to see that you think ahead. If you can see yourself doing three different things, say so -- honesty and open-mindedness will play in your favor.
- In the interview or on your application, you often have an opportunity to explain a bad grade or a bad semester. Be careful with this issue -- you don't want to come across as a whiner or as someone who blames others for a low grade. However, if you really did have extenuating circumstances, let the college know.
- A question like this can turn sour if you make the mistake of dwelling on things you regret. Try to put a positive spin on it. Perhaps you've always wondered if you would have enjoyed acting or music. Maybe you would have liked to give the student newspaper a try. Maybe, in retrospect, studying Chinese might have been more in line with your career goals than Spanish. A good answer shows that you didn't have the time in high school to explore everything that is of interest to you.
Additional Questions
1. What do you do best?
- There are lots of ways to ask this question, but the bottom line is that the interviewer wants you to identify what you see as your greatest talent. There's nothing wrong with identifying something that isn't central to your college application. Even if you were first violin in the all-state orchestra or the starting quarterback, you can identify your best talent as making a mean cherry pie or carving animal figurines out of soap. The interview can be an opportunity to show a side of yourself that isn't obvious on the written application.
- This question is so broad and seemingly obvious that it can catch you by surprise. Why college? Steer clear of materialistic responses ("I want to get a good job and make a lot of money"). Instead, focus on what it is that you plan to study. Chances are your particular career goals aren't possible without a college education.
- This is a common question, and it's always a tough one to answer. It can be dangerous to be too honest ("I put off all my papers until an hour before they are due"), but evasive answers that actually present a strength often won't satisfy the interviewer ("My greatest weakness is that I have too many interests and I work too hard"). Try to be honest here without damning yourself. The interviewer is trying to see how self-aware you are.
- This question is a little different than one asking why you want to go to a specific college. Do your research and look for the truly unique features of the college for which you are interviewing. Does it have unusual academic offerings? Does it have a distinctive first-year program? Are there co-curricular or internship opportunities that can't be found at other schools?
- This is a fairly simple question, but you need to know what extracurricular opportunities exist at the college. You'll look foolish saying you want to host a college radio show if the school doesn't have a radio station. The bottom line here is that the interviewer is trying to see what you will contribute to the campus community.
- Avoid bland and predictable words like "intelligent," "creative" and "studious." The interviewer is more likely to remember a student who is "clumsy," "obsessive" and "metaphysical." Be honest with your word choices, but try to find words that thousands of other applicants won't choose.
Interview Mistakes
DO NOT:
1.Be late.
1.Be late.
- Your interviewers are busy people. Alumni interviewers are probably taking time out of their full-time jobs to meet with you, and campus admissions folks often have back-to-back appointments scheduled. Lateness disrupts schedules and shows irresponsibility on your part.
- Business casual is your safest bet, but the main thing is to look neat and put-together. You'll look like you don’t care if you show up wearing ripped jeans or saran wrap. These clothing tips for men and women can help.
- Your interviewer wants to get to know you. If you answer every question with a "yes," "no," or a grunt, you're not impressing anyone, and you're not demonstrating that you can contribute to the intellectual life of the campus.
- You want to sound like yourself during your interview. If you have prepared answers to questions, you might come off sounding artificial and insincere.
- It can be very distracting and annoying for the interviewer.
- Your interviewer wants to get to know you, not your parents. Also, it's hard to look like you're mature enough for college if Dad is asking all the questions for you.
- This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised what some students will say. A comment like "you're my back-up school" or "I'm here because my parents told me to apply" is an easy way to lose points during the interview.
- f you ask questions that could easily be answered by the college's website, you'll send the message that you don't care enough about the school to do a little research. Ask questions that show you know the place: "I'm interested in your Honors Program; could you tell me more about it?"
- This should be obvious, but some students do get themselves in trouble by fabricating half truths or exaggerating during the interview.
- Good manners go a long way. Shake hands. Address your interviewer by name. Say "thank you." Introduce your parents if they are in the waiting area. Say "thank you" again. Send a thank you note.
A Few More Things to Remember
1. Showing Immaturity.
College is about learning to live independently, and your admissions interview is partially about proving that you are prepared to do just that.
Whether the interview is for your first choice or safety school, give the interviewer your full attention. Don't check your cellphone, don't check the time and don't do anything else while you speak to the interviewer that could possibly be construed as rude or showing disrespect.
College is about learning to live independently, and your admissions interview is partially about proving that you are prepared to do just that.
- The interviewers will not see you as self-sufficient if your parents are sitting nearby. If you depend on your parents for transportation or directions, identify alternative methods early so you can get to the interview on your own – a great way to kick off your independence.
- Interviewers also won't see you as responsible and ready for the next step in your education if you are dressed inappropriately. You don't necessarily need to wear a suit, but stay away from outfits that are too informal, too revealing or make you look like you just rolled out of bed. Prepare a sharp outfit the day before to avoid scrambling before the interview.
Whether the interview is for your first choice or safety school, give the interviewer your full attention. Don't check your cellphone, don't check the time and don't do anything else while you speak to the interviewer that could possibly be construed as rude or showing disrespect.
- Set extra alarms, and check for uncontrollable circumstances, like traffic, beforehand to ensure you arrive on time. Turn your phone off or to silent before you walk into the interview and put it in your pocket so it's out of sight. Give the interviewer a firm handshake and express your gratitude for the person's time.
- Purchase and fill out a thank-you card and envelope ahead of time so it's ready to be sent following the interview. Imagine this is your dream university, regardless of the circumstances, and make the kind of positive impression you would wish everyone to have of you.
- Put aside some time before your interview to research the school and prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview not only to show your interest in the school, but also to assess whether or not the college is the right fit for you. They should not be questions that can be easily answered by perusing the school's website for just a few minutes. Asking a question that's too simple can be just as bad as giving a blank stare.
- Think hard about what factors in a university are truly important to you and what you would like to know come your first day on campus. Where do students like to hang out on campus? What are the campus events students look forward to the most? Now is the perfect time to find out.
- It's difficult for an interviewer to get to know you if you don't share enough information. And if you appear timid, it can leave the impression that you might have difficulty adjusting to new social settings in college and actively participating in class discussions.
- Prepare a few general remarks or comments to help you get the conversation started and overcome your shyness. Easy-to-approach topics include the weather, recent local cultural or sporting events, the latest book you've read, interesting news headlines and the interviewer's college experiences. For example, you might say, "I've been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather we're having and getting in extra games of golf. How about you?"
- Avoid political, spiritual or very personal topics. While injecting some humor into the conversation is welcome, skip any inappropriate jokes
- Admissions interviewers are looking to get to know what you're like as a person. Your interviewer will most likely be able to tell if you come in with numerous rehearsed, canned answers.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!