What is a college interview? 

An interview is a conversation between a student and an admissions representative, alumni representative, or college student, which lasts approximately thirty minutes to one hour.  Through this conversation, information is exchanged and answers to questions obtained. The interview is an admission component, which personalizes the application process. The college interview may be held on or off campus.

Are interviews required?

• Interviews are a required part of the application evaluation process for some colleges, (usually small, private colleges, highly selective colleges, or nontraditional colleges). At these required evaluative interviews, a record of the meeting becomes a part of the student’s application. Notes are taken by the interviewer and placed in the applicant’s folder for further review by the admissions committee.

• Interviews are an optional part of the application process for some colleges. These meetings are held primarily for the purpose of providing the student and/or the student’s family with information about a particular college major, or about the college in general.  Although these interviews do not become a part of the selection process, the interviewer often documents evidence of the student’s interest in the school.

• Both required and optional interviews give a student the opportunity to explain personal circumstances, which may have affected the student’s performance, or which might point out how the student was able to turn his/her academic record around!

• Some colleges have an overwhelming number of applicants and do not grant interviews.  These colleges do not use interviews as part of their applicant review process. 

Guidelines For a Successful Interview:

1. Be prompt. Be polite. Be upbeat and positive about your ability to be successful at the college level. Wait patiently if the interview is delayed.

2. Dress appropriately.  Look and feel your best.

3. When meeting the admissions counselor, shake hands and make eye contact.

4. Be well prepared.  Read about the college online by visiting the college website prior to your interview.  Then, you will be ready to talk about the college, and to ask meaningful questions. Be prepared to explain why you feel the college is an appropriate setting in which to learn and to reach your career goals. It is also a great idea to let the admissions counselor know how you have made the most of your high school education, and how you intend to contribute and grow as a college student.  Students who come to an interview well prepared provide the admissions counselor with the best and most impressive conversations.  Remember that the counselor is looking for reasons to ‘admit’ you!  

5. Answer questions to the best of your knowledge and ability.  Do not be afraid to admit that you don’t know the answer to a question. Be yourself. Your honesty, sincerity, and interest will show your true intent. Lies or misrepresentation can come back to haunt you in the form of academic data, test scores, letters of recommendation, or other supporting data.  Truthfulness will likewise be supported by this same data.

6. Be prepared to volunteer information such as test scores, recent grades, current courses and course levels. It would be helpful to provide the interviewer with an unofficial copy of your high school transcript. By looking at your transcript, the counselor can indicate the appropriateness (or inappropriateness) of your application to a particular major or to the college itself. Listen carefully if the counselor suggests ways by which you might become a more viable candidate!

7. At the conclusion of the interview, take a moment to thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.  When you return home, write a thank-you note to your interviewer for giving you the opportunity to meet with him/her in order to discuss your application, and to obtain important information about the college. You may want to review your thoughts about the success of the interview and make adjustments and preparations for your next interview.  

8. RELAX!  Interviews are meant to be informative to both parties.  You will get as much from your interview as you give to it!

Sample Interview Questions:

Although it is impossible to predict all of the questions that will be asked by an admissions counselor, it is a good idea to reflect on how much you have grown throughout your high school years. Think about how you would answer some of the more common questions asked of college applicants.  Ask a family member or friend to interview you.  The more practice you get, the better you will interview!

• How do you like Arlington High School?  Tell me about the most positive experience you have had during your high school years.

• Which subjects interest you most?

• Which extracurricular activity has had the most meaning for you? 

• What has been your most significant contribution to the school community?

• Name one thing you would change at your high school if you had the power to do so.

• Name your favorite book/author. Which book or author has made a lasting impression on your way of thinking?

• What is the most important lesson you have learned during your high school years?

• Name three adjectives that you would you use to describe yourself?

• What are your strengths/weaknesses? Where could you improve?

• Is there a special circumstance in your life or your academic history that you would like to tell us about?

• What are you looking for in a college?  Why do you feel that this college is a good ‘match’ for you?

• Name the other colleges to which you will apply.

• What is your favorite subject?

• What are your long-term and short-term goals?

• What are your career goals? Have you selected a college major or have you decided to take the ‘Liberal Arts’ route? Tell us why.

• Why is a college education important to you?

• What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?

• How do you spend your summers?

• How do you spend your free time?

• What is your reaction to current events?

• How would you describe yourself as a person?

• Many students apply for admission to this college.  What characteristics or qualities make you stand out from other candidates?

• Do you have any questions? (Have several appropriate questions prepared ahead of time.)

Sample Questions To Ask:

• Could you tell me if there are specific requirements for this major?

• What is your school’s retention rate?

• How do you assign faculty advisers?

• How do you assign dormmates? Do you have special dormitories for serious students or those designated as drug free/smoke free dorms?

• What procedure is used for course placement?

• Does this college fund a student’s financial need, or only a portion of it? Are private scholarships, which are received by the student, taken from the loan or from the grant portion of the financial aid package?

• Are there opportunities to study abroad?

• Could you tell me about your library facilities?

• Can I try out for a college sport even if the coach has not recruited me?

• Can you tell me about the safety on campus?

Are there any other types of interviews other than the traditional college admissions interview?

Yes.  Several other types of interviews are listed below.

The Audition

Music conservatories, drama schools, and dance departments hold auditions rather than interviews in order to evaluate candidates.  Auditions are held at the college or in centrally located cities across the country.  These auditions are held on specific dates, at specific times. It is best to know well in advance when you will audition for a particular college, as well as what is expected of you.  A music school may ask you to perform several types of music, which represent different styles and periods.  You may be asked to take a ‘theory’ test.  A drama school may ask you to memorize several types of selections, perhaps even in musical theatre.  A dance department may ask you to demonstrate your technique in a dance class.  You should prepare your audition and rehearse your pieces along with your teacher or dance group prior to staging the real auditions.  The schools might ask you to submit an audition tape in lieu of a personal audition.

Auditions and portfolios are different from interviews in that they require and play an important role in the admissions decision.  Architectural schools often require a portfolio.  Freehand drawing and painting are additional examples of drafting, which may be required. Schools of Studio Art require portfolios as well.

Special Interest Interviews

If you are an athlete who would like to take part in collegiate sports, you should inform your current coach in that sport. Ask the coach if he/she feels that you are an appropriate candidate for the division at that particular college. If so, your coach can speak with the college coach and provide important information with regard to your level of play.  Prepare an athletic resume and email a copy to the college coach, who will probably ask that you send a tape/disc as well.  Send a copy of your athletic schedule and invite the coach to watch you play.  Arrange an interview with the college coach well ahead of time by contacting the admissions or athletic office.  It is a good idea to watch the college team practice or play a game so that you can judge the team’s caliber and spirit.  Become familiar with the NCAA recruiting rules and course/level requirements (for Division 1 and 2 sports), so that you do not inadvertently break those rules. It is the family’s responsibility to make certain that the high school courses and levels in which the student is enrolling are suitable for NCAA eligibility.  For questions about the rules and to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, you may visit their web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org.  Note that college coaches are not allowed to approach a high school student until he/she has completed the junior year of high school.  The student may, however, approach the college coach.