College Application Series: Questions to Ask in Your College Interview
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing tips and tricks you need to know as you navigate the college admissions process. College admissions reps are in town this week for Woodward's annual College Fair (they boast upwards of 250 college reps at the event). If you have a personal interview scheduled with an admissions rep this week, we've included some questions below for YOU to ask of your representative. Here's what you need to know to come off as genuine, engaged, prepared, and memorable:
Show That You've Done Your Homework.
Before your interview, research as much about the school as possible. Narrow your research on why the school is a good match for you and your interests. You should have done a good amount of research before you decided to apply, so hopefully, this shouldn’t take much time. Your research before an interview should be mostly review and focusing on specifics about how the school fits your needs.
Avoid questions that can be answered via a simple school website search. Instead, opt for research-based questions:
I would love to take advantage of the opportunities you offer for Journalism students to study in Australia, but I’m wondering if I’ll be able to do so if I’m on the soccer team. Are there student-athletes who study abroad given the time commitments they have to make to their sport?
I’m very interested in the NYC networking trip you offer to Business students each year. Do you know about specific internships students have gotten and how those internships have helped students academically or on their career paths?
If you could change one thing about [SCHOOL], what would it be?
What is unique about [SCHOOL] compared to similar schools in the area?
If you could change one thing about [SCHOOL], what would it be?
Do some research about your admissions rep, i.e. "How was the transition for you when you moved from the South to the West Coast? What have you learned in the Admissions department?
What advice do you have for me as an incoming freshman?
I noticed that [SCHOOL] has a partnership with Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, etc. What kind of community involvement opportunities are there for students at those non-profits?
If you could guarantee one aspect of this school to every student, what would it be and why?
What are next steps? Need anything else from me?
Be on time, dress for the part, and be polite and respectful. Most importantly, send a handwritten thank-you card post-interview saying how much you appreciate the rep's time and if applicable, refer to a couple specific topics you discussed during the interview (get this out on time--ideally, so it's on their desk to greet them when they fly home from Atlanta after the Fair).