Top Tips for College Interviews: How to Make a Great Impression
Many colleges, including Ivy League colleges, require or recommend college interviews. Even if they don’t require a college interview, taking the time to sit down with a representative from the college can tip the college admissions scales in your favor. Why? Well, for one thing, sitting down for an optional interview demonstrates that you’re serious about that school and about articulating what you can contribute to their legacy. For colleges where interviews are required, how you present yourself can help cement a favorable impression or change a mediocre impression into a great impression. This article will focus on some key tips to help you feel prepared.
How to Schedule an Interview
First, you need to do your research. Does the college to which you’re applying require or recommend interviews? If so, search the college’s web site or call their office of admissions to find out the appropriate person to contact to set up an interview. Make sure you choose a date, time, and place that you’re able to MAKE. Nothing screams unprofessionalism like missing a college interview. Remember, even if interviews are optional, it’s still wise to take advantage of the opportunity. Not only does it demonstrate that you’re interested in and serious about the school, but it also helps you practice your interview skills, skills you’ll likely be using when you apply for jobs after college.
Why Prepare for a College Interview at All?
Aren’t they just going to ask you a series of questions about yourself. Don’t you know everything there is to know about yourself? While it’s true that you’ll likely be asked questions to which you know the answer, and your job is to answer honestly, preparation can make you seem more articulate, confident, and intelligent, and those are all traits colleges prize highly. Remember not to sound like you’re delivering rehearsed remarks, though. That comes across as inauthentic. Preparation for college interviews basically involves three steps: 1) Researching the school, the school’s programs, and possible questions you’ll be asked; 2) Drafting answers to possible questions and memorizing things you want to say; and 3) Choosing some questions to ask the interviewer.
Do Your Research: Learn About the School and Programs You Like
It’s important to walk into a college interview with a nice amount of knowledge about the school to which you’re applying. You want to give the impression that you’ve done your homework. You can ask specific questions about programs you like, or perhaps about the school’s history, or life in the community, study and travel opportunities, etc. Look up interesting courses, research professors and their research interests, examine possible majors, and so on.
Questions You Might Be Asked in a College Interview
During a college interview, it’s a pretty safe assumption that you’ll be asked questions along the lines of…
What makes you interested in this college?
What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
What are you most proud of?
When’s a time you handled a significant failure, and how did you handle it?
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
It’s important to have answers to these questions, and equally important to anticipate OTHER common questions and have answers ready for them. Remember, you do NOT want to seem like you’ve memorized lines, so practice and make sure your delivery is natural. Be conversational. Be warm. Make eye contact. Do NOT talk too quickly or mumble. And don’t forget to smile. Listen to what the interviewer says.
In general, the questions you’ll be asked will give you an opportunity to show your personality, character traits, work ethic, etc. Focus on what makes you unique. Don’t be general and vague. Be specific. Think about academic, extracurricular, or social challenges you rose to with grace.
It can be a good idea to ask a friend or an adult to sit down with you for a mock interview.
Don’t Forget to Ask Questions of the Interviewer
Very likely, during the interview, you’ll be given the opportunity to ask some questions of your own. You should definitely take this opportunity, as it shows that you’re interested in the college, interested in the interviewer, and that you want to be there. But what sorts of questions can you ask? For one thing, if the interviewer is an alumnus of that college or university, you can ask him or her about his or her experience there. But you can ask for advice as an incoming freshman, You can ask what it’s like living in the city or town in which the college is located. You can use this as a chance to bring up something notable about the school or its programs that you discovered during your research. You can even ask questions to which you already know the answer, just for the sake of asking questions!
Some final thoughts…
- Dress nicely.
- On time is ten minutes early. Prepare.
- Just relax and be yourself. Breathe. Smile. Speak slowly and naturally.
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That’s it! Hopefully these tips will help you prepare for and excel during your college interviews! For more SAT and ACT prep tips, check out the rest of our blog. Looking for 1-on-1 ACT or SAT prep tutoring? Want to join an SAT or ACT group class? Contact us today!