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How to Prepare for Your College Interview

With the wave of Regular Decision college applications in full force, some schools will reach out to applicants requesting more “face time,” generally in the form of an interview. These can take place face-to-face over a vanilla latte or depending on scheduling, can be carved out over the phone. You’re so close to the finish line so treat this next step in the process with as much effort and intentionality as you’ve handled the entire process up to this point.

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:

  1. 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?

  2. 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?

  3. If you could change one thing about [SCHOOL], what would it be? 

  4. What is unique about [SCHOOL] compared to similar schools in the area? 

  5. If you could change one thing about [SCHOOL], what would it be? 

  6. 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? 

  7. What advice do you have for me as an incoming freshman? 

  8. 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?

  9. If you could guarantee one aspect of this school to every student, what would it be and why?

  10.  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 few specific topics you discussed during the interview (get this out on time).