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Ace Your College Admissions Interview in 60 Seconds
By
Will Geiger
Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.
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For high school seniors, the time between Thanksgiving Day and January 1st is truly the homestretch. One part of the admissions or scholarship application process that you may encounter is the often dreaded college admissions interview. Here are some quick tips that will allow you to nail your interview:
- My best suggestion is to be yourself. Remember, the interview is just going to be a conversation and the interviewer will help steer that conversation
- Start off with a firm handshake and introduce yourself by name
- Make eye contact and try to give examples in your responses (so instead of saying “I like science,” give an example of your favorite lab or discuss a project that was engaging)
- Come prepared with 2-3 questions that you can’t find on Google. A few good questions are: ” “What is your favorite thing about X College?” or “If you could change something about X College, what would it be and why?”
Now let’s take a deeper dive into acing your college admissions interview!
What is a college admissions interview?
A college admissions interview is part of some select colleges’ admissions process. The interview is a way for colleges to get a better sense of you as an applicant. It is a great opportunity to tell someone who represents the school what you are passionate about what you hope to achieve at college.
There are two types of college interviews; evaluative and non-evaluative. Evaluative college interviews means that an evaluation of your interview will be added to your admission application. A non-evaluative interview is a way for students to get to know the college and get some questions answered.
Ultimately, you should be prioritizing evaluative college interviews as those are critical for being accepted into those schools. However, some colleges may not state outright whether their interview is evaluative or non-evaluative. Therefore, if they state that their interview is “strongly encouraged,” you should definitely accept!
Related: How to choose a college
Where are college admissions interviews hosted?
College interview locations can vary drastically based on the specific school and program you are applying for. Typically, college admissions interviews will be hosted by alumni locally to you in a location near your city such as a library or coffee shop. However, colleges may also host on-campus interviews that could occur during a campus tour and administered by an admission staff.
Don’t miss: Top questions to ask on a college campus visit
How to prepare for a college interview
Research!
The most important thing you can do in preparation for a college interview, is research the college! You should comb through the school’s website, social media and brochures to get a good idea of what that school values along with any programs or notable professors they may have. Being prepared with a good sense of what the school offers will help the interviewer realize how dedicated you are to the school.
Also see: Guide to different types of colleges and universities
Dress to impress
It is important to dress appropriately for your college interview! Remember, first impressions are everything when it comes to college admissions interviews. So, try to wear a simple and professional outfit while not straying too far from your own personal style and uniqueness.
Be on time
One of the easiest ways to impress your interviewer is to show up on time! This will demonstrate that you respect their time and you are eager to participate in the interview. Being a bit early will also allow you to mentally prepare beforehand and scope out a good seat if your interview is somewhere in public, such as a coffee shop.
Come prepared
You should attend your interview with any necessary materials you may need! Be sure to read over any information provided that details any materials you should bring to the interview. However, if there is nothing mandatory you should bring, you should still have your transcript, resume, samples of work (if needed), and letters of recommendation just in case! Remember, it is better to be over-prepared rather than underprepared!
Tips to ace your college admissions interview
- Prepare your answers to common interview questions
- Ask thoughtful questions about the college
- Dress appropriately
- Maintain eye contact and stay engaged throughout the interview
- Bring all necessary materials
- Stay calm and be confident!
Don’t forget to thank your interviewers!
Within 24 hours of the interview, sending a thank you email or letter demonstrates good manners and professionalism. It is an opportunity to add anything you may have missed during the interview while demonstrating your commitment to the school. Ultimately, sending a thank you is a nice thing to do!
Don’t forget to read over your email or letter for any grammatical errors to ensure it is free of spelling mistakes.