Admissions Interviews - Preparing for the College Interview

Getting Ready for your College Interview

The college interview can be stressful for students worried about the admissions process--especially if this is the first real interview that they've done. However, admissions committees realize that high school students have little interviewing experience, and so the process is usually easy and straightforward.

There are three things to keep in mind as you prepare for your college interview:

1. This is a conversation, not a quiz. Interviewers are looking at the personal/human side of the student. Are you the type who would “add” to the school community. They may just want you to lead them in telling about yourself, your interests, your passions. So try to be conversational—like when you’re talking to friends of your parents who you enjoy talking to. It should be a give-and-take. They ask you something, you respond, and then maybe ask them something. The younger the alumnus, the more informal you can be (but don’t go too far).

2. Enthusiasm is crucial. Students at top colleges are excited, passionate, enthusiastic people (or at least the interviewers like to think so). They participate. They are engaged. You must fit this profile, at least to some extent, if you want to join their ranks. Be excited about what you’ve done and where you are going. Be passionate. Fake it if you have to.

3. Modulate your tone of voice. Too many applicants prepare their answers and then give them like they are reading from a text. Just say “no” to monotone. Raise it, lower it, use humor, use pregnant pauses. Vary your voice.

Potential college interview questions

General

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are you most interested in?
• What do you like to do for fun?

Academics

• What is your favorite subject? Why?
• What subjects don’t you like? Why?
• What books have you read lately for fun? Do you have a favorite book?
• Why do you want to go to [insert school name here]? What makes you [school name] material?
• Do you know what you want to study?

Activities

• What is your favorite activity/sport? Why?
• What do you think you’ll be involved in at college?
• What do you do in the summer?