College Interviews

The interview is seldom important as students think it is. A college would rarely place more weight on one 30-minute encounter than on the recommendation of teachers and four year of accomplishments. Few colleges require an interview, but some provide this option for the candidate, and still others strongly recommend interviews. Therefore, it is important to research you colleges of interest to determine whether or not it would be in your best interest to schedule an interview. Generally, the smaller the college, the more likely the interview is to carry some weight. Even the, however, it is usually a minor factor. If a college requires an interview and it is not within easy traveling distance, the college will arrange for a local alumnus or alumna to interview you. In many cases, admission staff will also travel to select regions in the fall. Call any admission office to schedule an on-campus or off-campus interview. It is important to call for an appointment in early fall of your senior year. Appointments at some colleges are limited and fill up quickly.


Interview Tips

  • Relax. It is fundamentally fun to talk about yourself.
  • Be prepared to go into an interview alone initially. Parents and accompanying family members are generally brought into the discussion after the admissions representative and you have had an opportunity to speak alone.
  • Dress appropriately. Formal dress is not required, but neatness and good taste are.
  • Be prompt. When an interviewer calls you to make the appointment, be sure to get his or her phone number so you can call if you are delayed or must change the time.
  • Be prepared to ask a few thoughtful, well-informed questions. Remember, the interview is you opportunity to find out about the college, not just the college's opportunity to find out about you. This part requires some research and reflection from you before the interview. It's perfectly acceptable to bring a written list of questions to refer to if you feel you might forget them on the spot.
  • The interview does not have to cover every wonderful thing about you. The admissions office will have all the objective information it needs; interviews are to see how you think and how you handle yourself, not to find out about your test scores or your athletic honors.
  • Be yourself, not who you think the college expects you to be.
  • You should not judge the college on the basis of the interviewer. It is all right if you learn things from the interviewer that make you feel differently about the college. However, you should avoid allowing your positive or negative feelings about an individual to become too important a factor in your decision.
  • Always follow up your interview with a hand-written thank you note. This is also a good opportunity to reaffirm your strong interest in a particular school.


Questions Often Asked in College Interviews

  1. Why are you considering this college?
  2. What aspects of this college make it a good match for you? Where else are you applying?
  3. What is your intended major? Why are you interested in that subject?
  4. What is the most important consideration in your choice of a college?
  5. Since your are interested in science or math, why are you interested in a liberal arts college rather than in a technical one?
  6. If I gave you $25,000 and a year to spend it between high school and college, how would you spend the time and the money?
  7. What have you read, seen or heard about this college that you don't like?
  8. What are some of your goals -- personal and career?
  9. What have you liked about your high school? Disliked?
  10. Tell me about a particular class in which you found yourself most stimulated intellectually.
  11. Have you found your high school experience challenging? If yes, how so? If no, what have you done to supplement you experience?
  12. Why did you not take a more rigorous curriculum in your senior year?
  13. If I were to visit your school for a few days, what would I find is your role in the community?
  14. If you were the principal of your school, what would you change?
  15. In what extracurricular activities do participate regularly?
  16. If you did not attend college, what would you do instead?
  17. Which of your weak points would you most like to overcome during your four years at this college?
  18. What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?
  19. What is the most important quality you look for in a friend?
  20. What do you hope to contribute to our school?
  21. What achievement or award have you been the most proud of?