Hints to a Successful
Interview!
The Interview Process:
- Interviews are not required at most college campuses.
You can request one at most schools and it may help your admissions chances
in some cases.
- If you are a borderline candidate or if you consider
the college a "reach", you may be able to sell yourself in an interview
situation.
- Learn as much as possible about the college before
your visit. Be prepared to both answer and and ask questions.
- In order to have the best choices of interview times,
it will be necessary to call and set up an appointment FAR IN ADVANCE
for fall visits, for some schools as much as three of four months ahead.
- Some colleges require an interview as part of the
admissions process, but most do not.
- If you visit before you make an application, or before
your school reports arrive, you should take a copy of your transcript. A copy
of an unofficial transcript can be obtained in the main guidance office with
sufficient notice.
- Give some advance thought to the things you want to
look for and ask about. Having a list of questions with you is acceptable.
- Arrive on time or a few minutes early
- Be yourself at all times... be honest, sincere, interested.
- RELAX! Interviews are meant to be informative to both
parties. Try to get as much out of the interview as you put into it.
Questions You May Be Asked:
- What kinds of things do you do outside of school?
- What are you academic strengths and weaknesses?
- Which one of your activities has given you the MOST
satisfaction?
- Describe the community of which you live and you participation
in it (work, sports, church, etc).
- What are some of the fine qualities that may set you
apart from the other ten people I spoke to today?
- Name three adjectives that describe yourself.
- Do you have any part time jobs? What do you do?
- How did you choose this college?
- What major do you intend to follow?
- If your SAT's are low, why do you think they are?
- What are the career areas you've considered throughout
high school?
- What magazines do you read? Newspapers? Last book?
Questions You Could Ask:
- What separates this college from its peers?
- Will I have easy access to computers? What kind? Where
are the terminals located? Can I access the library directly from my dorm
room?
- What are the strengths of the college's advising system?
- What kind of campus jobs can I get if I qualify for
Financial Aid?
- Are there new programs or facilities that will be
available in the next few years?
- Does social life revolve around the campus, or do
most students leave on weekends?
- How important are fraternities/sororities to social
life? (make sure they have these organizations before asking this question).
- What are the living arrangements for first year students?
Co-ed/Single sex dorms? Singles/Doubles/triples/quads? Small rooms/ Large
rooms?
- What is the system for housing allocation after freshman
year?
- Are upper classman guaranteed space on campus?
- How do I compare academically with students already
attending this school?
- Is it likely I'll be admitted?
After The Interview
Send a Thank you note to the interviewer
Try to trigger the interviewer's memory of you in a personal way
YOU MUST MAKE YOURSELF STAND OUT!
IF YOU CAN NOT VISIT...
Sometimes it's impossible to visit a campus.
You can still get the feel of a
college by talking to recent graduates or current students
who are from your area.
Many colleges have produced videos or CD-ROMs
of their campuses as well.