The Importance of the College Interview
If a college is seriously considering your application, you might get a request for an interview. Usually, the interviewer will be an alum of the college, so it’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about the university—after all, you’ll be speaking to somebody who was once a student there.
The interview won’t be too formal, but you should still try to present yourself well. This is an opportunity for you to show who you are outside of the basic material of your application. You can show your enthusiasm, your passion, and your drive; it should feel like an opportunity for you to just show off a bit of your personality! This can make a big difference in the admissions process.
Interview questions will ask students about their experiences, passions, and interests. Try to think about what’s shaped you into the person you are today, the good and the bad. How have you grown from certain challenges? How have you taken advantage of good fortune? What skills have you picked up along the way? You should also remember to do some research into the university and major that you’re pursuing.
Try not to be too nervous about the whole thing. Remember that not every applicant gets an interview, so in landing one you know that you’re truly in consideration for a spot at the college. There are a lot of ways to prepare for this moment, and this guide will help you to think ahead for your interview.
Common Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- How would your friends describe you?
- Why are you interested in pursuing your major?
- What are you reading at the moment?
- What achievement are you most proud of?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
- Why should we offer you a place at our university?
Those questions ask students to talk about their experiences, passion, and interests. Demonstrate not only things that list on the resume but talk more about how the experiences make you who you are today and what skills have you obtained through that.
Your knowledge about the major you are pursuing demonstrates that you have drive and passion. It also showcases your integrity in giving back to the world and making it a better place. Interviews not only indicate your interest in a college, which can increase your chances of acceptance, but they also provide you a competitive advantage over other candidates who did not have an interview.
Common interview questions include:
- Tell me about yourself
- How would your friends describe you?
- Why are you interested in pursuing your major?
- What are you reading at the moment?
- What achievement are you most proud of?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- What is your greatest strength (and weakness)?
- Why should we offer you a place at our university?
What to Ask Your Interviewer
- What makes students at your university different?
- What’s something that makes you really proud to be affiliated with this university?
- Does this school offer research opportunities for undergraduate students?
- What’s required to get an internship? Does this school provide assistance to students who want to secure an internship?
- What kinds of jobs do students find after graduating from my program?
- Do students have school spirit? Do a lot of people attend sports games and events?
- What is the reputation of students who graduate from this college?
Tips for the Interview
- Answer the questions in a way that shows your passion for the program and the school. Give examples that show you’re capable of completing—and even excelling at—your studies, and that the school’s offerings fit well with your future career goals.
- Read the university’s official website. Look into the skills you’ll need for the major you’re pursuing, the employment conditions of previous graduates, and the research some of the professors in your chosen department are doing. All of this will help you figure out whether or not the program and the school are right for you.
- Don’t bring in any irrelevant content. Make sure that any answers to your academic plans are, in fact, related to the plans you have for your academic work and eventual career.
- Research potential questions and get prepared. If you’re not sure what to expect, there’s a better chance you’ll end up nervous, and will struggle to come up with what to say.
- Don’t memorize a script. As mentioned, you should prepare for the interview and think about how you’ll answer questions beforehand. You don’t want to sound like a robot, though; paraphrase any answers that you’ve prepped, and deliver them clearly and naturally.
- Show your ability to think independently. Remember that you have a unique story, and present yourself as your own person. Don’t just say what you think an interviewer wants to hear; give your own honest thoughts and opinions, and trust that they’ll be interesting.
