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The Interview

  1. Preparing for College
  2. Finding the Right College
  3. Applying to College
  4. The Application Essay
  5. The Interview
  6. Selecting a School
  7. Paying for School
  8. Scholarship and Award Essays

The Interview

Setting Up the Interview

Colleges handle the interview in their own unique ways. Many allow you to conduct the interview with their admissions staff, so call the admissions office before you visit and see if you can set it up.

Other schools only interview students they consider to be potential admits. In this case you might have an alumni interviewer.

Before the Interview

Learn as much about the college as you can through friends, family, alumni and the Internet. Have a family friend "mock interview" you by asking you questions about yourself and about why you want to attend college. This should help you develop your answers and respond more naturally in the actual interview.

Some standard questions you should focus on are:

  • Why do you want to attend this school?
  • What are you most interested in as your major?
  • How have you demonstrated leadership?
  • How have you been a team player?
  • What are you most proud of accomplishing?
  • Where have you been unsuccessful and what have you learned from it?
  • What is your ten year plan?

Come up with questions that you can ask your interviewer. Everyone likes to talk about themselves, so if the interviewer is an alumnus, ask them about their experience on campus, which activities they enjoyed doing, and any recommendations they might have for you. Even if you know a lot about the school already, be prepared to ask a few questions that highlight your interest in attending the college.

Some good questions to have ready are:

  • When you were choosing a college, what helped you decide on this school?
  • What was most exciting about attending this school?
  • What was most disappointing about the school? Is that still the case?
  • Can you recommend any activities that you found particularly worthwhile?
  • Do you have any advice for me if I am accepted?

During the Interview

Dress well and smile when you first meet your interviewer. Bring a notepad and a pen - even if you don't write anything down it shows that you are conscientious and prepared.

Start the interview with small talk. Talk about the weather, how your trip to the school campus was, or what your interviewer (if an alum) now does for a living. Let the person interviewing you be the one to actually "start" the interview.

Relax, relax and relax. If you tend to get nervous, try to sit in the most relaxed (but professional) posture you can muster. Leaning back and crossing your legs is a good way to relax while still being fully engaged in the conversation, and can help set you at ease. Make eye contact and be sure to smile throughout the interview.

Answer each question fully, but keep your answers to a couple minutes at the most. You do not want to ramble or go off on a tangent.

After the Interview

Send a thank you note a day or two after the interview and specifically mention something about the interview that you remember and appreciated discussing with your interviewer. You want to express how excited you would be to attend their college.


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