How To Prepare For A College Interview

Will You Seek Financial Aid

If the interviewer asks this question, it is most likely to assess which financial aid programs, grants or scholarships may be options for you. If you plan to seek financial aid, let them know in your answer what steps you have already taken to address the costs of college.

Example:”I was awarded several scholarships during high school, and I will be seeking additional qualifying grants.”

Question : Whom Do You Most Admire

Why they’re asking this: From this question, colleges can get a sense of your values. If the person you most admire is Justin Bieber, for example, colleges might wonder about your priorities.

What they’re looking for: Don’t limit your answer just to naming the person. Why do you admire that person? For instance, many people say that the person they most admire is a parent. But what specifically has that parent done that you admire so much? In short, don’t forget the details.

How to prepare: Think deeply about your response to this question. If the person you admire is somebody you know, practice by giving your answer to that person. You’ll know you’ve answered the question well if you’re rewarded with a hug or even a few tears from your audience.

Dont Look At Your Watch

During your interview, keep your attention focused on the interviewer and the conversation. Looking at your watch, the clock, or simply gazing off into the distance can make it seem like youre in a hurry to get the process over or you arent focused on the task at hand. One sign of a great interview is when the conversation moves along so smoothly that you dont even notice the passage of time. Additionally, set your phone to silent or turn it off during your interview.

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Be Prepared For A Skype Interview

Having a college interview over Skype was fairly standard, even before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, its more likely that your college interview will be conducted over video chat. To prepare for a Skype interview, make sure that you have good lighting, decent video quality, and clear audio. Schedule a practice call with a family member or a friend to test it out prior to your interview.

Additionally, make sure that youre having the interview in a place with NO distractions not even your adorable pup. One last tip for the road: Place a few sticky notes on your laptop to help you remember your key talking points or questions you want to ask your interviewer.

Consider The Type Of Interview You Can Expect

University admissions interviews are generally either evaluative or informative. Evaluative interviews can be expected in order to gain admission to particularly prestigious universities such as Oxbridge. In this instance, your performance in the interview will be considered when the university admissions officers decide whether to offer you a place. In an informative interview, you have the opportunity to find out more about the university, while the university also finds out more about you. In this case, the university admissions officers may be just as keen to impress you, as you are to impress them, because they want you to choose their institution. Of course, your university interview may include both evaluative and informative elements.

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Consider Admissions Chances And Reputation

Once you’ve figured out what you want from a college and have gotten some solid suggestions from search sites, you should step back and take an objective look at your results. It’s important to maintain realistic expectations in the college application process, so you should choose schools where you have reasonable chances of admission.

Though the sites I mentioned above may give you statistics for a school’s average test scores and GPA, it’s difficult to understand your chances of admission just by looking at statistics. I would recommend that you Google ” PrepScholar admissions requirements” to access our database pages about each school. Use the tools on these pages to enter in your GPA and SAT scores and calculate your chances of admission.

In general, if your chances are below 30 percent the school qualifies as a reach school. A school with an admissions rate that’s below 15 percent is a reach school for all students regardless of scores and GPA. If all or most of the schools you’re interested in are reach schools, it’s time to adjust some of your criteria to allow for other options. Only a third of the colleges where you apply should be reaches.

This is also a good time to check ranking lists like US News and Forbes to see whether the colleges that interest you have decent reputations. However, becareful when considering these rankings! If two schools are within ten or so ranks of each other, there probably isn’t much of a difference in quality between them.

You Might Not Be Academically Inclined

Most people are capable of doing college-level work if they’re motivated and apply themselves. That being said, some people just detest school or don’t have the aptitude to do well in a college environment.

Keep in mind, though, that college gives you so much more freedom than high school to explore your academic interests and find the fields in which you can excel. Similarly, if there’s a subject that confuses you and that you absolutely abhor, you can probably avoid taking classes in it in college.

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How Do You Answer Questions You Didn’t Prepare For

Undoubtedly, the questions above aren’t the only possible interview questions. Regardless of how much you prepare, you’ll almost definitely be asked a question you weren’t expecting. There’s no need to be too nervous, though. Just try to give honest, detailed answers. As long as you’re thoughtful and professional, you shouldn’t worry too much about surprise questions.

Also, you might be able to incorporate some details from the other questions you prepared for in your responses. For example, for any question related to academics, you could probably include details from your response to the question, “What are your academic strengths?”

If you want to get more comfortable with the interview process, have a friend or parent ask you questions about yourself, and respond as if you were in the interview. This is an excellent way to prepare you for the real deal and will give you more confidence.

What Do You See Yourself Doing 10 Years From Now

You don’t need to pretend that you have your life figured out if you get a question like this. Very few students entering college could accurately predict their future professions. However, your interviewer does want to see that you think ahead. If you can see yourself doing three different things, say sohonesty and open-mindedness will play in your favor.

This is one of the few cases in which a slightly vague answer can be appropriate. Perhaps you see yourself working in a laboratory, helping underserved people, or playing a role in creating public policy. You should feel free to talk about broad interests and goals without identifying a specific focus or profession.

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Questions You Should Be Prepared To Ask

You should also come with several questions of your own that will help you to learn more about the college and simultaneously demonstrate to your rep that you have done your college research. Here are some questions that you might consider asking:

• How does the college help students secure employment and/or prepare for graduate school?
• Could you talk about the advantages associated with being part of the colleges alumni network?
• If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?
• How does your college differ from other comparable colleges?

Think About How You Can Stand Out

University admissions interviewers are likely to be meeting a large number of candidates, so you need to think about how you can stand out and leave a good impression. When interviewers ask you to tell them about yourself , try to respond with something memorable. This is your chance to convey your passion for your chosen subject, your future ambitions, and the qualities you possess that will ensure your academic success.

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Preparing For A Successful College Interview

Make a more meaningful connection to the interviewer, helping him or her to make a positive recommendation to your chosen school.

The admissions interview is a part of the application process at many highly selective universities. Georgetown University requires an interview with a local alum, and many other highly selective schools require or recommend them either on campus or with a local representative. Requesting an interview at a school that does not require one may allow you to put a personal touch on your application and potentially help you. It is important for you to prepare and do well if you do have an interview because it can also harm your chances if you do not do well.

How To Prepare For The College Interview

The college interview can be a truly nerve-wracking experience. Hopefully, this article will help make it less so. How it normally works is that you meet with a college official or alumnus . They’ll usually begin by collecting some background information and then they’ll interview you. The questions they’re most likely to ask are quite similar to the questions you would field in a job interview, such as:

• Why do you want to attend this university?
• Where do you see yourself in ten years?
• What are your overall strengths and weaknesses?
• Pick three adjectives to describe yourself
• What major will you choose and why?

What can be so difficult about answering these questions is the answers demand that you sell yourself. You’ll need to confidently sing your own praises, while at the same time not overdoing it so that you come off like a pompous windbag. The only way sounding like a pompous windbag will be an advantage is if the person interviewing you happens to be one and while this might be an option, you can’t really count on it.

• Why do you want to attend this university?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Also very important, come prepared with a list of your own questions. Assemble this list of questions from the information you gather about the institution. Some sample questions you might want to ask include:

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Why Do You Think You’d Be A Good Fit At This College

Colleges want students who will positively contribute to their culture, community, and programs. Interviewers are looking to identify whether your values and academic goals align with the school. In your response to this question, highlight any leadership or volunteer activities you’ve completed and provide specific examples that demonstrate your character.

Top College Interview Tips: How To Prepare Effectively

Many of the top colleges either recommend or require interviews. To give yourself the best opportunity to make a good impression in your interviews, and to improve your chances of getting accepted to these schools, you should absolutely prepare for your interviews.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly how prepare for a college interview, and I’ll give you detailed college interview tips that should make you more comfortable and confident during the interview process.

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Your Strategy For Questions About Interests

Think about the why: Why are those activities the most rewarding? Why is a book your favorite? If you have a major in mind, talk about why you’re interested in that subject. Discuss how you think college can help you meet your goals. Be sincere and honest in your answerdon’t say things just to impress the interviewer.

Interviewers may ask some broader questions. For example:

• If you had a thousand dollars to give away, what would you do with it?
• What’s your opinion on the immigration debate ?
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?
• Why they ask: They want to see that you are informed and curious and a careful thinker.

How Do I Prepare For A College Interview

Are you ready to find your fit?

Although interviewing for college admission is not much different from applying for a job, its good to know what to expect. Your interviewer is likely to ask a number of standard questions, the most common of which appear below. Your responsibilities consist of:

Making a good impression. Setting yourself apart from the other candidates.

A bit of practice in answering the following queries will serve you well.

1. Why Do You Want to Attend Our College?

Hopefully, youve done your homework on this one, for youll need to get specific. Whether youre attracted to the schools great foreign language department, acclaimed pre-med courses or a particularly respected professor, state that now. Dont, however, mention any desire to get rich quick or retire early.

2. What Makes You the Person You Are?

This question is trickier than it sounds. Your interviewer really wants to learn what sets you apart from other applicants, so dont respond generically. If you volunteer at the local pet rescue, act in community theater or help deliver Meals on Wheels, these are the things you want to highlight.

3. What Person, Living, Dead or Fictitious, Has Had the Greatest Influence on Your Life?

If youre havent seen this one coming, you could be stuck for an answer. Be ready not only to identify an individual but also to explain why he or she has made such a strong impression.

4. What Major Have You Chosen and Why?

6. What Do You Like to Do for Fun?

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Get Some Questions Ready

At the end of every interview, you typically have a chance to ask the hiring manager a few questions. Make sure you have a few ready to go. That way, you wont be at a loss when that moment arrives.

If you dont know where to begin, ask them to describe a typical day in the position. You can also ask if theres anything preventing them from considering you the top candidate, giving you a chance to address any concerns head-on.

Check out our article for more questions you can ask the hiring manager!

Questions About Your Educational Background

You may be asked questions about your high school experience and educational background. Examples include:

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Can You Answer These 10 College Interview Questions

If youre going to college, expect to be interviewed by a college representative. Its a vital part of the college admissions process. Why? Colleges want to get to know you: Who you are, what your goals are, and how you will contribute to the student population. They also want to see how you answer questions, how informed you are, and your views on other topics.

When my daughter was in the midst of her college search, she was interviewed by a representative of Boston University. Since this was her first choice college, she was nervous. She wanted to make a good impression and appear intelligent and confident. She prepared for some interview questions. Not all of them were asked, but it helped her go into the interview more relaxed. Although she wasnt a top candidate according to their applicant statistics, the interview resulted in an offer of admission.

What Not To Do

There are several things that you should not do during your interview. Do not use slang because it makes you seem immature. You should also dress up and not wear clothing that is revealing. Your clothing choice should be business casual rather than formal clothing. Your shoes are also important, and you should choose dress shoes instead of tennis shoes.

Dont be late to your interview, and if possible, dont bring your parents. Your interview is a chance for you to show that you have the maturity and independence that are required for being successful in college. Set your alarm early on the day of your interview and allow yourself plenty of time to get to the location. Greet the interviewer, making certain to shake his or her hand. Concentrate on what the interviewer is asking you and make eye contact. Dont interrupt him or her, and avoid the urge to brag on and on about your accomplishments. Practicing humility and sincerity is just as important as practicing your answers to common questions.

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Why Is A College Interview Important

While interviews are not required to attend every school, you can use them to your advantage. Some of the ways that these interviews can help with your application include:

• Showing your personality beyond your transcript, essay, and the rest of your application
• Find out more about the college from someone on a personal level, while sharing your goals and potential reasons why you want to attend the school
• Address any questions that a school might have, such as a drop in grades in a semester
• Ask questions you have about the school that you cannot get from the school website or other promotional materials

You Might Not Need College If You’re Already Successful

If you’re one of those rare people who has already achieved tremendous professional success before attending college, then going to college might not benefit you much financially.

For instance, say you get drafted in the first round of the draft by Major League Baseball and are offered a multi-million dollar signing bonus. Nobody would fault you for bypassing college. After all, you can always take college classes in the off-season or get your degree when you’re done with your playing career.

If you’re a mini Mark Zuckerberg or starring in your own sitcom, going to college might not lead to a higher income or a better job after you graduate. Bill Gates and Miley Cyrus were able to do OK professionally without college degrees!

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