College interviews are becoming more and more common. It’s a
way to put your face to the app, and if you’re a personable or charismatic
person it can really help tip your app into the admit pile.
But even bucket loads of charisma aren’t enough to cinch an
interview, so here are a few questions you should be prepared for:
Why us?
There are versions of this question, but they always boil
down to the why. Here is your chance
to suck up and show them why you’re
an awesome fit for the school. Luckily, you
should already have a list of reasons you love the school. But instead of
just listing stats (oh small class sizes and a great quality of education) you
wan to personalize it, and show them what you
will do at the school. You can talk about the feel of the student body
(adjectives anyone?) or how you’ve read papers by one of their professors for
years because it’s exactly what you
want to do.
What was your biggest
accomplishment in high school?
I got this question a
lot. Which was hard because my “biggest” accomplishment didn’t happen until
the end of senior year.
So how do you tackle this question? You pick something that you are very proud of and says a lot about you. Getting a 2300 on your SAT is impressive, but all that tells the school is that you’re smart. Becoming an officer in your 20+ hours a week club is a much better answer. Also, whatever you do don’t brag. Be humble about it; don’t talk about how impressive it is, just talk about how important it is to you and what you can do with it.
Who is someone you admire?
So how do you tackle this question? You pick something that you are very proud of and says a lot about you. Getting a 2300 on your SAT is impressive, but all that tells the school is that you’re smart. Becoming an officer in your 20+ hours a week club is a much better answer. Also, whatever you do don’t brag. Be humble about it; don’t talk about how impressive it is, just talk about how important it is to you and what you can do with it.
Who is someone you admire?
When you have this question, you might desire to fall into
the cliché (famous people of any era, family members). While a cliché is fine a much better and more memorable answer is someone in the field of your
passion. Why? Because it tells them something personal about you. When you’re
answering this question, make sure to describe who the person is, but you need
to tell them what you admire about
them (which is telling them something about you).
I talked about a teacher I had at a summer program, and how I desired to be as tenacious and committed as she was. Maybe you worked with someone in a research lab whose commitment to science is uncanny. Or you worked for a nonprofit with someone who was so educated about the issues and was really making a difference.
I talked about a teacher I had at a summer program, and how I desired to be as tenacious and committed as she was. Maybe you worked with someone in a research lab whose commitment to science is uncanny. Or you worked for a nonprofit with someone who was so educated about the issues and was really making a difference.
What do you do with
your summers?
This one is a cinch. As long as you do something with your summers, just talk about what you did and what
you learned. It doesn’t matter if it’s the world’s most impressive thing or a
boring summer job, just talk about the value.
How would you describe yourself? /How would others describe you?
How would you describe yourself? /How would others describe you?
When you’re answering this one make sure to support your
points. And stay away from anything overly braggy “Oh I’m so smart” try curious instead. Tell a story to support
the point.
You might be curious or fun loving or engaged.
My answer was usually about caring for people (when asked how other’s described me I mentioned that I was always the “Mom” of my drama club).
Give a positive, interesting answer.
You might be curious or fun loving or engaged.
My answer was usually about caring for people (when asked how other’s described me I mentioned that I was always the “Mom” of my drama club).
Give a positive, interesting answer.
What is your favorite
class in school?
Here’s the time to talk about your academic passions. If you know what you want to do, bring that up and use the associated class. If you honestly had a class that stood above the rest, even if it’s not in your “area” make sure to bring that up. Just make sure to demonstrate a love of learning (as, remember, this is a school).
Here’s the time to talk about your academic passions. If you know what you want to do, bring that up and use the associated class. If you honestly had a class that stood above the rest, even if it’s not in your “area” make sure to bring that up. Just make sure to demonstrate a love of learning (as, remember, this is a school).
Any questions?
YES! YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS!
Try to ask your interviewer something about them and the school. If it’s a student, “Why did you choose here” or an adult “What’s your favorite/least favorite thing about this school?”
Give them an opportunity to brag about the school.
If you honestly have a question, ask it. The only wrong answer is, “No, but thank you.”
Try to ask your interviewer something about them and the school. If it’s a student, “Why did you choose here” or an adult “What’s your favorite/least favorite thing about this school?”
Give them an opportunity to brag about the school.
If you honestly have a question, ask it. The only wrong answer is, “No, but thank you.”
What tree are you
(and the like)?
You might run into this type of question, and just know they’re
being asked to see how you think on your feet. Take a bit of time to think this
one through before you answer. (FYI: I’m a pine tree. I work all year round and
I don’t take time off in the winter. Also I know how to rock some decorations).
In general, just avoid being weird or mean. If you come across as a normal, engaged, well adjusted teenager, you’ll be just fine.
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