Colleges will never understand the complexity of a student through paper, but interviews offer a glimpse at this complexity. However, students may confuse this opportunity as a stressful situation. The best approach at college interviews is to
be yourself.
What is the Purpose of College Interviews?
In its simplest form, college interviews are a good way to get alumni of schools to stay involved with the school community. However, interviews are so much more than that.
Although interviews never tend to be the definitive role in admissions, interviews are an important way for the schools to understand the student and the student to understand more about the school. On paper, factors such as GPA, rank, SAT score, etc. are ways to demonstrate capability. Many students are similar when their stats are compared.
However, the main goal of many of these schools is to obtain a student body that is not only capable, but human beings who want to
make a difference within the community and can communicate efficiently. Stats do not deliver these humane qualities.
That is where these interviews come into play - to deliver one’s personality. Interviews are an opportunity to shine truly. As aforementioned, students also learn about the schools through interviews.
School websites indeed hold a great amount of facts and histories about the school, but the best way to understand a school and its story is through former students. These alumni have experiences that tell more than facts ever can, as well as inform you of any inquiries that could not be found online.
Common Questions for Admissions Interviews
These are the
most common questions typically asked in interviews:
“Why [insert school]?”
Although this question typically can be found in many applications, many interviewers include it within the interview itself as a chance to expand on your ideas. My tips would be to look for things that interest you in a variety of categories such as in your specific major, extracurriculars at the school, research programs, job opportunities, classes, etc.
My favorite way to find thoroughly researched answers is to
look through student blogs.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20 years?
Schools want to see students with a genuine idea of what they want to do in their life. Yes, at a young age, it is hard to be certain, but do come up with an idea of what you would want to do in the future.
What/Who has inspired you?
This is a good way to discuss the values instilled in you by people or things that have inspired you. Usually, I tend to bring up
books that have changed my perspective on life.
What do you do in your free time?
This can be as vague as you want it to be. It doesn’t just have to be school clubs or anything academic.
Feel free to discuss your job, your family responsibilities, and the niche hobbies that make you who you are. When
discussing your extracurriculars, try to vaguely connect them to a bigger theme.
How have you positively impacted your community?
This question demonstrates to interviewers how you will make a difference within the college if accepted. It does not have to necessarily be anything big.
What to Highlight in an Admissions Interview
Yourself!
What sets you apart from all the other students in the nation is who you are. Each person holds a unique set of experiences, talents, passions, etc.
Colleges are not just looking at students’ stats, but the positive personalities that will add to the school environment.
What You Bring to the Table
Make sure to highlight your abilities, and if given the chance, demonstrate an example of these abilities. Schools are looking for candidates who will work to make the school a better place.
They are
looking for leaders, diverse knowledge, and anything else that will impact the school positively. By connecting your abilities to an example, you are increasing the genuineness of your abilities as well as your humanity.
How your Goals Connect to the School’s Goals
A lot of times the deciding factor for an admission is not whether one is ‘good enough’ for a school, but whether they will fit in. Therefore, one way to succeed in an interview is by
connecting your personal goals to the school’s mission.
Questions You Have
There is always time at the end of interviews to ask your questions. This is a chance to demonstrate a genuine interest in the school.
Ask questions that you couldn’t necessarily find on the website. Ask about your interviewer’s classes and which was their favorite. Ask about the student body or even the alumni network.
There is an infinite set of unique questions to ask.
What NOT to Say in an Admissions Interview
Prestige
Wanting to go to a school solely for its prestigious reputation shows a superficial understanding of a school’s goals. Never mention prestige as a sole reason to attend the school. Interviewers want to hear about your genuine interest in the school.
Things that Aren’t YOU
I have heard a lot of stories about kids who search for information about an interviewer before an interview to center their whole interview personality based on what they think the interviewer likes. Interviewers, with years of experience under their belt, will see right through ingenuity.
Heavy Politics
Generally, a safe rule would be to avoid highly controversial political topics. You never know what kind of opinion the interviewer may have, and if you are not careful to present your opinion in a respectful manner, you may come off as disrespectful.
“My Parents Wanted Me To…”
Schools are looking for ambitious students. When students mention parents’ desires as the motivating factor behind aspirations, students demonstrate a lack of ambition and thus are not likely candidates for schools’ missions that require a heavily involved student body.
Little or Nothing at All
Don’t respond to everything with solely a yes or no answer. Make sure to expand when possible to demonstrate your full potential. Lacking answers demonstrates poor interviewing skills that deter schools that are looking for students with strong social skills to interact with others.
