There are many, many components to the college admissions process. We like to think of each aspect as an opportunity to stand out amongst the crowd. Interviews are one of them! They are usually conducted by volunteers, often alumni and they’re optional. (Though, if you know us at all, you know we’re going to tell you nothing is optional). Here is our guide to preparing for a college interview:
What Is It?
An option conversation, usually with an alum. They typically run 30-45 minutes. These days they’re usually virtual. Afterward, the interviewer will write something about their thoughts on how it went and send it to the school. Added to your admissions file. If your top school(s) offer the interview, do it. It’s not going to be the end-all, but it might just put you over the edge. Here’s the thing, though. You don’t ask for an interview. They will offer it if they want to give you one.
Responding
If you are offered an interview, just know that it’s unlikely to be coming from the school itself. It will come from an alum, so be on the lookout for a random email from a gmail, or another non-school-affiliated address. Don’t forget to respond promptly and proofread all of your emails before sending! Don’t be over the top either. It’s okay to just say something like:
“Hi [name]
Thank you for the opportunity. I’d love to interview with you! Please let me know a few dates/times that work for you.
Looking forward to it!
Best,
[Your name]”
Or whatever makes sense given what they say/ask in the reach-out.
Researching Beforehand
When it comes time for the interview itself, you’ll want to be prepared. Do a deep dive on the school and the specific program or major you’re looking into. Look at the higher-level classes and the professors who teach them. Additionally, a number of schools have sample questions online ahead of interviews. The questions we see again and again are:
What do you want to study?
Why do you want to study it at x school?
What’s your favorite after-school activity and why?
What are you passionate about?
Let’s tackle the first two: we recommend all of our students develop an academic niche throughout high school. This should be something really specific. History is too broad. American presidential history is great. Your extracurriculars, classes, and overall academic brand should align with this niche. When applying to schools, it’s a good strategy to target a program that’s a natural extension of this niche. (You don’t have to commit to that major. But for admissions, it’s what you should aim for). So, apply that approach to your interview. Talk about your area of expertise in the first question. If you can, talk about why you’re interested in that topic. For the second question, talk about the specific program that exists at that school. You can also then talk about the culture and location of the school. So, if you’re applying to Tulane, you should definitely talk about New Orleans. Remember, you’re meeting with an alum. Your goal is to connect with them, demonstrate your personality, and find common ground. That alum loves things about their school.
Prepare Your Questions
It’s important to prepare your own questions to ask at the end of the interview, too. This isn’t a one-way interview. It’s your chance to learn more about the school. Avoid questions you can easily find on the school’s website (like “does x school have a football team?”) as you might look unprepared. It’s a good idea to ask about things you can’t really get a sense for online. Ask about their own experience. Ask about the typical day for a student, their favorite thing about the school, etc.
Relax
Take some deep breaths. This is a conversation and it should feel like one! If you’re not a great conversationalist, practice with a family member or friend. Don’t be too concise, but you also shouldn’t be too talkative. Each answer should be about 2-5 sentences in length. You don’t want to overload the interviewer with rambling answers. Try to just have a natural conversation. If you’re a little nervous, sometimes it helps to acknowledge it.
Thank You Note
Make sure to write a thank you note after the interview is over! A short email will suffice.
The college admission landscape is so hyper-competitive that every little bit helps. The interview won’t make or break your acceptance—if you have bad grades, it’s not a substitute. But if you’re neck and neck with a candidate, it might be the thing to get you over the finish line. Make sure to prepare and most of all, try to enjoy the conversation.
Need help preparing for a college interview? Call us. We’re experts at helping students get into their dream schools.