If you’re preparing for an alumni interview for a school you’ve applied to, we’ve got the scoop. We find that while interviews may seem difficult, they’re actually a great way for you to get to know the school, and show the school just who you are. Dazzle them with your personality–just be yourself and you’ll be fine.
Let’s look at some of our top tips for alumni interviews. We’ve helped hundreds of students prepare for thousands of interviews over the years–our recommendations are based on what we’ve seen work (and not work).
Just Relax
Alumni aren’t interested in grilling you or examining every last aspect of your resume and application. They just want to get to know you–and you should want to get to know them. Go into your interviews with a sense that you belong at the school. Be confident in who you are and how you present yourself. Don’t worry too much–you can do this.
Practice makes Perfect
If you’re wondering how to get that confidence, the answer is practice. You should run through some mock interviews with a friend or parent. Take a look at our lists of common interview questions and have your fake interviewer go through them with you. Try to practice without rehearsing–you should practice the interview a couple of times, but not so frequently that you develop a ‘script’ for your answers.
You want to be able to answer questions easily, without resorting to ‘canned’ answers that will show you’ve over-prepared. Just practice until you can answer the common questions well enough in a conversational and relaxed manner.
The Big Question: Why
The biggest, and most important question that will be asked is “Why __ School?” Be prepared to answer it–thankfully, you probably already did with your essay. Think about what makes you interested in the school, and what made it stand out to you in the first place. Try to have a couple of reasons for why you’d like to go there–a list of bullet points that you can explain is probably enough.
You want to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research, and that you’re serious about their school. If you can connect your reasons to anything you know about your interviewer, that’s a bonus.
Your Narrative
Think about how best to present yourself and your goals and dreams. The essays you’ve written should be helpful for this step–look back on them (specifically the common app) and think about your story and narrative–what events and choices have set you up to apply to this school? How did you decide on your chosen major/course of study?
You should present a short summation of yourself that paints a clear picture of why you’re applying and choosing your course of study. Don’t worry about fleshing this out too much–a simple 4-5 sentences should suffice.
Your Questions
The interviewer will also ask what questions you have for them. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about their alma mater and show that you’ve prepared and done your research. We find that the most useful questions to ask at this point are often about the intangibles of the school, or about the interviewer’s personal experience there.
Don’t ask questions that could be answered with a google search–instead, ask them how they felt about the campus environment, or what sort of research/internship opportunities they had. Make your questions jumping-off points to longer conversations. Think about what you know about the school, and what you’d like to learn from someone who actually went there. Ask them about
Be Nice
The fastest way to flunk an interview is by being rude, negative, or judgmental. Maintain a positive attitude throughout the conversation and engage with the interviewer with an open mind. Don’t put down others–avoid hating on other schools, programs, or students. Just be kind.
Similarly, you should follow up after the interview with a thank-you note. Send the interviewer an email thanking them for their time and consideration. Show them that you’re nice, thoughtful, and empathetic.
Remember, the alumni interview is your chance to shine–just practice beforehand, stay relaxed and let the interviewer understand why you’re interested in their school. If you’ve gotten here, it shouldn’t be too hard.
If you’re anxious about the interview process or would like to discuss it in more detail, we’re always available to help.
Contact us here if you need help with the college application process