7 – The College Interview

  • Be prompt.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • Be neat. A jacket and tie or a dress is still an important means of impressing an interviewer.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • Be well-prepared. Read the catalogue prior to your interview and prepare questions based on what you read.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • Answer questions to the best of your knowledge and ability. Do not be afraid to admit that you don’t know something.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • Be ready to volunteer information. Know your scores, rank in class, latest grades and what courses you carry.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • Be yourself. Do not pretend to be something or someone that you are not!
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  • ABOVE ALL, RELAX! Interviews are meant to be informative to both parties. Try to get as much out of an interview as you provide for it.
  • What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?

NOTE: Do not be upset if you meet with an admissions counselor other than the dean or director. If the interview is an important part of the admissions process at a college, all interviews given on campus will have equal weight. An interview with a senior staff member is not essential. When you get home, consider writing a thank you note to your interviewer or tour guide.

 

Alumni/ae interviews

A few colleges have developed elaborate alumni/ae networks throughout the nation and use these well-organized groups as interviewers of applicants. Several colleges require alumni/ae interviews regardless of whether or not you have had a campus interview. If you are unable to have an interview on campus with an admissions officer, and if you feel that you have something to gain from an interview, you might write to the college and inquire about the possibility of having an alumni/ae interview in your area.

 

Questions Frequently Asked By College Interviewers

  1. Why are you considering this college?
  2. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  3. How did you come to include us among your choices?
  4. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  5. What makes you think this college and you are right for each other?
  6. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  7. What do you hope to major in? Why?
  8. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  9. What are your plans for the future? What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
  10. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  11. What would you like to tell us about yourself.
  12. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  13. What extracurricular activities have you found most satisfying?
  14. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  15. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
  16. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  17. What is the most significant contribution you’ve made to your school or community?
  18. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?
  19. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
  20. What clubs and extracurricular activities are available?