The College Interview

The College Interview: Questions, Tips and How to Prepare

There are so few places in the college application process for a student’s voice to be truly heard. What makes a college admissions interview such a valuable opportunity is the chance to talk about yourself in a less structured and less formal way. It’s an opportunity to share your story the way you want it to be heard.

Whether it’s before you decided to apply, or after you submitted an application, colleges use interviews to help build a more complete picture of you as a person. Fundamentally, an interview is a conversation – an exchange of information between you and a representative of the college. College admissions representatives are considering the answers to the following three questions:

  • Is the candidate capable of the academic work?

  • Does the candidate have a talent or ability that would make the college more interesting? What will the candidate add to our community?

  • Why does the student want to attend our school? Are they a good fit?

The function and significance of the interview in the college admissions process varies from school to school. While large universities have moved away from the interview, smaller, private colleges may require an interview. Make sure you visit the college's website to determine their policy regarding interviews.

More benefits of participating in an interview:

  • Increase your Demonstrated Interest Level: When you visit campus, attend virtual events and open emails from the colleges you want to attend, you’re showing increasing levels of demonstrated interest that colleges track. When you add an interview to the list, you show the school that you’re in it for the long run.

  • An opportunity to discuss any areas of potential concern such as your GPA, test scores, and how you learn best, etc.

  • The possibility of gaining an advantage over those applicants who opted out of doing an interview.

  • A chance to show who you are beyond the transcript and test scores. Colleges love hearing their future students’ stories in person and why they think that college is the place for them.

  • Build a relationship with your counselor: Ask specific questions, build rapport and receive recommendations about visit experiences, good faculty connections and even specialty scholarships you should consider.

INTERVIEW TIPS

  • Dress for the occasion and arrive prepared - Bring an application folder with an unofficial copy of your transcript, standardized test scores, and your activity resume.

  • Bring specific questions - Your interviewer will expect you to ask some questions about the school and talk about why you want to go there. Put some energy into coming up with creative questions with answers that cannot be easily found on the college's website

  • Practice - Being interviewed is a skill, and it requires practice. Sit down with one of your parents, a teacher, a counselor, or a friend and have him or her ask you their best college interview questions. Answer them honestly and seriously. Then ask your "interviewer" how you came across. You'll also get better after each college interview, so try to arrange your schedule so that your last interviews are with the schools you care about most.

  • Be thankful - Send a thank-you note. If there's something about the interview that was helpful to you, let your interviewer know. If you connected with your interviewer over a book, common experience, or a band you’re both into, then mention it. Otherwise, simply express your continued interest in the school and thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

  • Tell me about yourself.

  • What are your values and strengths as a student? What areas of growth?

  • What are you most proud of?

  • Tell me about a time you were faced with a difficult challenge and overcame it.

  • Who has had the greatest influence on your life?

  • How did you spend your last few summers?

  • Which of your extracurricular activities has been most satisfying?

  • What is the last book you have read?

  • Tell me how you have engaged in the life of your community.

  • Why are you interested in this college?

  • What career areas have you considered?

  • What personal qualities would you add to our college community?

  • Where do you see yourself ten years from now?