PRO Tips to prepare for a college interview:

Why is a college interview important?

An interview is a chance for you to meet with someone who represents the college. It's a great way to show your interest in the college, to start a relationship with people there and to show what you're all about. Here are some types of questions you may encounter and tips for answering them.

Questions about your fit with a college

Interviewers may ask questions like these:

• Why do you want to attend our college?
• What can you contribute to our college campus?

Why they ask: They want to know that you're really interested in their college. They also want to know what you can bring to the campus.

Your answer strategy: college-fit questions

Talk about what you've learned about the college and why you feel it's the right place for you. (Remember that you have to research a college ahead of time to answer this type of question well.) Discuss your extracurricular activities and achievements that show your character.

Questions about your personality

Interviewers may ask questions like these:

• What three adjectives best describe you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Why they ask: They want to see that you can think and speak about yourself.

Your answer strategy: personality questions

Give examples of how your chosen adjectives describe you. Talk about how you've used your strengths to accomplish something. Talk about how you overcome your weaknesses. For example, you can say, "I have a hard time learning new languages, so I set aside more time to study them."

Questions about activities, interests and goals

Interviewers may ask questions like these:

• What activities do you find most rewarding?
• What is your favorite book?
• What do you want to do after graduating from college?

Why they ask: They want to get to know you better and learn about what's important to you.

Your answer strategy: interests questions

Think about the why: Why are those activities the most rewarding? Why is a book your favorite? If you have a major in mind, talk about why you're interested in that subject. Discuss how you think college can help you meet your goals. Be sincere and honest in your answer — don't say things just to impress the interviewer.

Wide-ranging questions

Interviewers may ask some broader questions. For example:

• If you had a thousand dollars to give away, what would you do with it?
• What's your opinion on the immigration debate (or another topic in the news)?
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?

Why they ask: They want to see that you are informed and curious and a careful thinker.

Your answer strategy: broader questions

Stay up-to-date on news and current events. Do you have strong opinions on certain issues? Can you explain your position? Try to spell out your system of values to yourself and think about how you apply it.

More college interview tips

• Have a conversation. Don't try to memorize a script.
• Ask questions. Do express your interest in the college.
• Be yourself. Don't try to answer questions based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear.
• Prepare. Do practice interviews with friends or family. Take turns asking questions.

Your answer strategy: interests questions

Think about the why: Why are those activities the most rewarding? Why is a book your favorite? If you have a major in mind, talk about why you're interested in that subject. Discuss how you think college can help you meet your goals. Be sincere and honest in your answer — don't say things just to impress the interviewer.

Wide-ranging questions

Interviewers may ask some broader questions. For example:

• If you had a thousand dollars to give away, what would you do with it?
• What's your opinion on the immigration debate (or another topic in the news)?
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?

Why they ask: They want to see that you are informed and curious and a careful thinker.

Your answer strategy: broader questions

Stay up-to-date on news and current events. Do you have strong opinions on certain issues? Can you explain your position? Try to spell out your system of values to yourself and think about how you apply it.

More college interview tips

• Have a conversation. Don't try to memorize a script.
• Ask questions. Do express your interest in the college.
• Be yourself. Don't try to answer questions based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear.
• Prepare. Do practice interviews with friends or family. Take turns asking questions.

Use this checklist to prepare for your college interviews and to take care of details afterward. Being prepared will help you stay calm and confident. It's also important to be honest about who you are and what you've done. You'll be more convincing — and appealing — if you stick to what's real.

Before the interview:

• Make an interview appointment with one of the colleges I want to attend.
• Mark the date and time on my calendar.
• Research the college by checking out its website, brochure and course catalog.
• Make notes about why I want to attend this college.
• Make notes about my academic background and high school experiences.
• Make notes about my life outside the classroom, including activities, community service and hobbies.
• Get familiar with common interview questions and do some practice interviews with a friend or family member. Take turns being the interviewee and the interviewer.
• Prepare questions about the school to ask the interviewer.
• Get directions to the interview.
• Choose appropriate clothes to wear for the interview.
• Gather documents I might need, such as test scores and my high school transcript.

After the interview:

• Make notes about the interview.
• File away any business cards with contact information that the interviewer and other admission staff offer.
• Send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Thank the person for his or her time and refer to something specific we discussed.