What You Should Know About Your College Interview
The college interview can be a stressful time for college applicants. What if you come across as dumb? What if your interviewer is mean? Seriously, you shouldn’t worry. Think of the interview as a chance to learn more about the school in addition to the school learning more about you. Some colleges (especially more selective ones) require them but others do not. They typically last 30-60 minutes and can take place with an admissions officer, alumnus, or occasionally a student representative.
Interviews don’t need to be a huge deal, and there are other aspects of the application that are far more important. Here are five tips to guide your college interview.
1. What Kind of College Interview Is It?
If you are doing an informational phone interview to learn more about an online program, you might have a slightly different strategy than you would for an in-person interview on campus at an institution with competitive admissions. As a general rule, phone interviews tend to be more informal and relaxed, but no matter what, you should always be prepared. So when we say, ‘be prepared’ that means: conduct research on the school; brainstorm responses to potential questions; and go through a few practive interviews with friends, parents or even siblings.
2. The College Interview Matters
Depending on the type of school you are applying to, the interview can be a deciding factor. Interviews done at colleges with admissions officers are probably more likely to influence a decision than those conducted by alumni, but the truth of the matter is that the other aspects of your application-especially grades, test scores, recommendations, and the personal statement-are by far the most important factors in admissions decisions. Also, keep in mind that the purpose of the interview has changed over time. Nowadays, the purpose of the interview is to get to know the student and their interests & passions.
3. In-Person College Interviews: Be Presentable, but not Overly Formal
Don’t show up in a tank-top; don’t show up in a tuxedo. Wear something cool and comfortable. If you are doing an interview as part of a campus visit, chances are your interviewer will understand if you didn’t pack a three-piece suit. Again, the interview intention is to get to know more about you, so present yourself well!
4. Be Relaxed and Ready to Talk
Don’t memorize a set of hilarious anecdotes or learned theories or try to wow your interviewer with your precocious wit and earth-shattering intellectual abilities; believe us, they’ve seen it all before. Instead, try to give them an idea of what you want to bring to the campus community. Answer any questions naturally and don’t create a strict script for potential responses. Be enthusiastic, interested, attentive, and charismatic. The rest will take care of itself.
5. Ask the Interviewer Questions
This is the most important thing to remember when doing college interviews of any kind. You are interviewing the interviewer as much as they are interviewing you. This is a great chance to get some more information about the school so that you can make your own choice. At many schools, helping prospective students gather more information will be the only purpose of interviews. Furthermore, you’ll find that the interview will go by more smoothly if the conversation runs both ways. Ask thoughtful questions, not ones that could be answered by looking at their website. Ask about departments, professors, sports, the social scene, online courses, transfer credits, working students-whichever things you most want to know.
6. Be You
As with the essay, most interviewers will have seen it all before. The best candidates for admission in general, and also the best interviewees, are students comfortable with their interests, experiences, and strengths, and who are excited about sharing and growing as people. So stay calm, be yourself, and you’ll do fine.
