College Planning Guide » The Interview

The Interview

Interviews can be an integral part of the college process. At many schools the interview is little more than an information session. Be sure to check each college's interview policy before you visit. At those where it is optional, our advice is that you arrange for an interview if you feel that seeing an admissions officer face to face will improve your chances, or if you have any questions you particularly want answered. You'll help yourself if you make a good impression, but in almost every case, your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, written application, and school recommendations will carry more weight.

There are two keys to a successful interview:

  1. Make yourself stand out from the crowd.
  2. Be yourself.

In other words, if you can make the interviewer remember you by highlighting things about yourself that are really worth remembering, chances are you've had an excellent interview. The interview, like the entire admissions process, can be a productive learning experience. At its best, it can even be fun. Try to look at your interviewer as a resource who may help you to better understand the college.

A successful interview is one that you enjoy. Good interviews humanize the admissions process. Look at your college interview as an opportunity to have direct, human contact with the admissions process. Relax and make the most of it.

Do's
 
Be professional in your attire and in your mannerisms
Be prompt
Turn off your cell phone
Listen; take time to reflect
Make eye contact
Give a firm handshake
Use the name of your interviewer
Bring a transcript with SAT or ACT scores
Ask questions
Send a thank you note
 
Don’ts
 
Lie or exaggerate
Yawn, slouch or stretch
Chew gum or nails
Interrupt your interviewer 
Be disinterested or nonchalant
Criticize your teachers, school or friends
Bring an elaborate portfolio, resume or display

These are samples of kinds of questions you might be asked by an interviewer. Think about how you would answer them. Even if you are not asked any of these questions, if you have thought about them, you will be well prepared.

  1. How do you like your high school? What has been the most positive experience you had? The most negative?
  2. If I visited your high school for a few days, what would I find is your role in the school/community? What would your teachers say were your greatest strengths as a person? As a student? Likewise, what about your shortcomings or weaknesses? 
  3. What is the most significant contribution you've made to your high school?
  4. What is the overriding consideration in your choice of a college? 
  5. What are some of your personal and career goals for the future?
  6. Tell me about a particular class in which you found yourself intellectually stimulated.
  7. What is your reason for participating in athletics, student government, newspaper, etc.?
  8. Since you are interested in science and math, why are you interested in a liberal arts college rather than a more technical institution?
  9. How and in what ways do you expect, plan, hope, to transfer your secondary school contributions, achievements, activities to the college level. 
  10. What has been your favorite subject in high school?
  11. What might you study in college? 
  12. What books or articles have made a lasting impression on your way of thinking? Have you read deeply into any one author or field?
  13. What events, if any, would you deem critical in your life thus far? 
  14. What pressures do you feel operating on you in society to conform? Describe ways in which you "go your own way".
  15. How have you spent your summers? 
  16. What are your reactions to current events, e.g.: AIDS. Eastern Europe? 
  17. Describe some issues that you have really become indignant over in the past year.
  18. How would you describe yourself as a person?
  19. Have you ever thought of not going to college? What would you do? 
  20. How do you spend your free time? 
  21. Do you have any questions?