the college interview

WHO WILL INTERVIEW ME?

• Local Almnus

• Most interviews are conducted by a local alumnus after your college application is ​submitted.

• For the most part they are welcoming, want to get to know you and are eager to give advice.

• Alumni interviewers are rarely given access to your application, allowing them to focus on your personality and presence.

• After the interview, the alum sends an evaluative report to be included in your application file. The report will vary in length and specifics depending on interviewer style or how your interview went.

• College Admission Representative

• Less frequently, a college admission rep will conduct the interview.

• At times, a current college senior who is trained by the admissions staff may conduct the interview.

• Some admissions reps conduct interviews during visits to Fairview.

• The interviewer may or may not have read your application.

• After the interview, he or she will file a brief report to be included in your application file.

WHAT TO WEAR?

• Dress comfortably and appropriately.

• A good rule of thumb is to dress as though you’re having dinner with your grandparents.

• Dress conservatively. Don’t wear anything too revealing or suggestive. (Remember, you’re on an appointment, not a date.)

• Make sure what you’re wearing is clean, neat and ironed.

• Boys: Coat and tie are not required. Long pants are preferable.

• Jeans are acceptable, but opt for a pair that doesn’t look too worn out.

• Avoid shorts, flip flops, work-out attire, styles that feature rips or tears prominently, clothing featuring questionable verbiage or any college logo (including the college you’re interviewing for), too much perfume or cologne.

• Remove your hat, please.

WHAT TO BRING?

• If you’re meeting in a coffee shop, bring a few dollars if you want to purchase your own drink (but avoid caffeine if you’re nervous).

• Take a notebook, a pen, and your questions. Taking notes is okay.

• You may be instructed to bring your resume, which should include a summarized list of your courses and activities. If your resume is not required, bring it if you have one, or bring an activity list with brief descriptions.

• You may bring your phone, but turn it off or silence it!

• Don’t bring gifts of any kind for the interviewer.

PREPARATION IS KEY!!

• The best way to prepare for an interview is to anticipate questions that you will be asked.

• Interviewers usually ask three categories of questions: About yourself, Why you want to attend that specific college, Questions you have.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOURSELF

• Talking about yourself should be an easy thing to do, but when a college interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself,” students are often stumped for answers.

• Questions about you can be asked in a variety of ways.

  • Tell Me About Yourself?

    • Colleges want you to think about and reflect on who you are, how you spend your time and what is important to you. Ultimately, it’s the combination of the activities that engage and occupy you most that makes you UNIQUE.

      • Academic interest

      • Nature enthusiast interest

      • Athletic interest

      • Performing Arts interest

      • Social Justice/Activism interest

      • Family responsibility

  • What Are Your Future Plans?

    • Colleges want to know if your experiences during high school have given you a sense of direction and have inspired you to pursue studies in particular subject areas. Though there is no expectation that you have a specific career in mind, this is a question that determines if the undergraduate programs offered by the college are a good fit for your immediate and long-term goals. Other ways this question may be asked include, “What majors/departments are you interested in?” or “What type of college are you looking for?”

    • Note that while colleges do not expect you to know your exact major or career plans, most students are drawn to general areas of study, such as the sciences, humanities, engineering or the arts. Remember that institutions are well aware that most students change their majors several times during their undergraduate years, but the ability to articulate your interests in the context of what colleges offer will demonstrate a sense of direction.

  • Tell Me About Your High School Experience

    • Colleges are looking for your critical assessment of learning environments. This shows that you can think deeply about college choices and that your decision to apply to this particular college is a meaningful one. The ability to present what you love best about your high school, and, only if you are asked, what could be improved will demonstrate an awareness for what matters to you and why.

  • What Is Your Favorite Book/Newspaper/Website?

    • Colleges are trying to assess if you are independently driven to learn and pursue ideas deeply. Regular consumption of reputable publications, whether they are fiction, non-fiction, audio, digital or paper, is an indicator of your initiative in expanding your horizons. Daily, unassigned reading, whether it’s news or hobby-oriented, demonstrates a profound commitment to learning and self-improvement. In short, going to college is about discovering topics that resonate with you and pursuing resources that help you deepen your knowledge and understanding. The most critical vehicle toward this goal is reading.

  • What Do You Like To Do For Fun?

    • Your personality is highlighted by how you amuse yourself beyond schoolwork. Having hobbies, interests and pursuits outside studying is an indicator of a healthy balance, your presence in a campus community, or what kind of roommate you’ll be. This question also gives the interviewer a better grasp of your interests.

  • What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

    • Your answer reveals a level of self-awareness critical to whether you will be able to contribute to a college environment as well as take advantage of learning opportunities presented to you in college. The interviewer will be able to gauge if you are capable of honest reflection about yourself, people around you, or past experiences.

TIPS AND PROTOCOLS

Before the Interview

• It is not uncommon to be nervous, but remember that most interviewers are welcoming and want to get to know you.

• Make sure you know how to get to your appointment location and where to park.

• Arrive early enough to give yourself time to check-in and compose yourself.

• Silence your cell phone!

During the Interview

• When the interviewer arrives, stand up, remember to make direct eye contact and offer a firm handshake. Say something like: “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith. Thanks for taking the time to meet me.”

• Practice a solid handshake – not too mushy and not too crushing.

• If you’re at a coffee shop, feel free to order something to drink, but avoid caffeine if you’re nervous. Don’t order something to eat, unless your interviewer is doing so and invites you to do the same. You are not expected to purchase anything for your interviewer.

• Wait for the cue from the interviewer as to whether s/he will begin or if you will be expected to start.

• Make sure to have good eye contact throughout the interview. Give your undivided attention and smile!

• Avoid slang and “you know,” “um,” and “like.” The mock interview is great for catching these habits!

• Sit up straight and try not to fidget.

• Be yourself. Let your true interests and passion shine through. Let your sense of humor show but avoid sarcasm.

• Be honest if you do not know the answer to a question and do not be afraid to ask for clarification.

• You do not have to do all the talking, but be prepared to talk more than you listen.

• Demonstrate sincere interest in the college.

At the end of the Interview

• The interviewer will signal when the interview is over. You should not initiate the end of the interview.

• When you stand up, shake hands and thank the interviewer by name.

• Express that you learned valuable information and are appreciative.

• Ask for the interviewer’s business card and attach it to your information packet. You’ll need his/her contact information so that you can send a thank you note.

EXPRESS APPRECIATION IN WRITING

• Sending a prompt thank you message to an interviewer demonstrates maturity and professionalism.

• As soon as possible, send a short but sincere thank you note to the interviewer.

• Either handwritten or email is appropriate.

• Help the interviewer remember who you are. Personalize the note by referring to something specific that you talked about and how it affected you, such as, “I really appreciated your encouraging words on my volunteerism,” or “I took your suggestion to repeat my SAT test very seriously and have registered for the next testing date.”

• It’s okay to include any information you may have forgotten to mention at the interview.

• If you have any further questions, feel free to include them here.

• Finally, check your spelling and grammar.

WHAT IF YOUR INTERVIEW DOES NOT GO WELL?

• If you feel that your interview did not go well, don’t despair. Rarely are admission chances ruined as a result of an awkward or uncomfortable interview.

• Unless you’ve come across as purposefully or thoughtlessly rude, contemptuous or unenthusiastic about the college, or especially uncommunicative, the interview should not have a huge effect on the admissions decision.

• However, if something untoward has occurred, such as the interviewer said or did something grossly inappropriate, contact the college admission office and report the incident. Ask if another interview can be scheduled with a different interviewer.