Practice Interviews
Getting Ready for a Conversation
When you decide you may be a good fit for a college, request an interview. It’s a great way to show your interest in a particular college. It’s also a good opportunity to ask questions or explain special circumstances that might affect your application.
Before you do the real thing, try a practice interview. Ask a family member or friend to help you practice. Take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee. That way, you'll get comfortable with both asking and answering questions.
Demonstrate Your Interest
Interviewers want to see that you’re really interested in their college. One way to show this is by doing some research and asking appropriate questions. Practice interviewing with specific colleges in mind. For example, you may want to ask about the journalism program — but not if the college doesn’t have one.
Remember that an interview should be a conversation. It’s not the time to give a speech. Demonstrate your ability to respond to the interviewer as a real person with something beneficial to bring to the campus.
Know What to Expect
The questions asked by interviewers are often very similar from one college to the next. The admission staff members just want to make sure that you can speak intelligently about your grades, scores and goals. Have your practice partner ask you questions like:
- Why do you want to attend our college?
- What can you contribute?
- What courses have you enjoyed most?
- Are your grades an accurate reflection of your potential?
- Which of your activities is most rewarding and why?
- What has been your biggest achievement?
- What's your opinion on the immigration debate [or other current event]?
- How did you spend last summer?
- What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
- What's the most difficult situation you've faced?
- If you could change one thing about your high school, what would it be?
Be Prepared for Tough Questions
Although most interview questions are standard, you may be asked one that is unusual — for example, "Can you conduct this entire interview without using the word 'I'?" or “Do you think that our colleges should discontinue athletics and spend the money on academic programs instead?” There isn't any way to prepare for this type of question except to recognize that the possibility exists.
If you’re stumped by a tough question, stay calm and respond with, "I'll have to think that over. Is it okay if I write you about this?" Remember, it's much better to say, "I don't know," than to pretend to be an expert.
The interviewer could also ask you about something in your application that needs explanation, such as a semester of poor grades. This is your chance to clarify any special circumstances that may have affected your record. If you do have an issue like this, practice introducing the topic and explaining it.
Choosing Your First Interview
Consider scheduling your first interview at a college where your chances of admission are high, a "safety" school. This gives you a taste of the real thing without as much pressure. Save the interviews at your "reach" colleges for when you've gained experience and confidence.
