If you’re stressed about college interviews, take heart: Experts say these conversations are an opportunity rather than another stressor in the college application process. Consider this an opportunity for both parties to get to know each other better and assess whether there might be a potential fit.
Ian Mullen, Senior Advisor at Command Education, said, “While an interview doesn’t usually make or break an application, it certainly helps solidify the candidate’s interests, experience and passion, as well as what they know about the school. It also plays a role in demonstrating their knowledge.” , a top college admissions consulting company based in New York City.
The main types of college admissions interviews are alumni interviews and admissions officer interviews. Regardless of the interview format, Mullen emphasizes that such meetings provide an opportunity to add additional insight into your candidacy beyond the personal statement, essay, and resume you presented.
In most cases, most interviews these days happen after you apply, said Cindy Chanin, founder and director of Rainbow Education Consulting & Tutoring in Los Angeles, California. “Typically, you don’t request an interview – the school will contact you if they’d like to interview you,” she said. “Sometimes students think that if they don’t get an interview, they won’t get in. This is simply not true.”
First, a brief primer on what to expect.
Mullen said, “The most common college interview will be an alumni interview, where students answer questions from an alumni volunteer who will then submit a report to the school.” “The goal is for the report to complement your overall application and profile.”
The second type of interviews are with admissions officers. These are less common, Mullen said.
Last but not least, informational interviews can take place at college information sessions held at your school or elsewhere. This is not something on which you will be assessed, rather it is an opportunity for you to learn more about the institution and understand what the school can offer academically and in terms of extra-curricular activities. Here are some tips for each:
1. rehearse until you burst
“Although college interviews may be classified as optional, we always recommend our students take advantage of this valuable opportunity,” said Laurie Kopp Weingarten, CEP, president and co-founder of One-Stop College Counseling. Shared, who specializes in working with the higher. -Student performing arts located in Marlboro, NJ. “Connecting with a college representative through an interview allows you to express your genuine interest in the school,” he adds, noting that doing so increases your desirability as an applicant.
That is, if you prepare. And prepare. And then prepare something else.
“Practice. Prepare some answers to potential questions and practice at home until you feel comfortable speaking naturally without notes,” said Jake Beckman, founding partner, SLB Education Consultants, in Scarsdale, NY. Beckman further commented that you should also make sure to do your research about the school – there’s nothing worse than showing up unprepared.
Case in point: “We have students who say they want to study a particular major (business, engineering) at colleges that don’t offer those majors, or they want to attend football games at those schools. Can’t wait where there isn’t a football team,” Kopp Weingarten shared.
Thankfully, these mistakes were made in mock interviews conducted by their company. So, yes, don’t miss a run-through or an eight.
Mullen advised that the best way to prepare for a college interview is to anticipate the questions that are most likely to be asked and prepare responses. A good place to start is with the inevitable “Why our school?” Is with. and “Why do you want to study your major?”
“You should think about these questions and develop answers to them in a Word document,” Mullen said. Then, Mullen suggests practicing in front of the mirror giving your answers in a way that feels like a conversation. “I encourage students to record themselves to assess how their voices sound,” he said. “Show these recordings to your friends and family and ask them if you sound like a normal person. If the answer is ‘no’ – you need to be more natural.
For extra credit interview preparation points, Mullen has another genius tip: Do mock interviews with individuals you don’t know. This way, you’ll be less self-conscious, she said, which will help simulate an actual interview with a school representative.
2. Know your elevator pitch
“Be able to tell your personal story in some way — from your background to your educational experience to your plans for the future,” Beckman said. “You will definitely be asked about this one way or another, and it is best to know what you are going to say before you say it.”
Emphasizing that, Chanin shared that “understanding your own superpowers as a student and an applicant is incredibly important to the interview process.”
That’s why he advised you to consider these interests before going to the interview. “Be giddy and excited to share your ideas,” he says, adding that the more impressive you are about the ideas and projects that inspire you, the better an interviewer will feel about you. There will be understanding.
3. Stay true to yourself
be yourself. It’s a cliché for a reason.
“In a world where we can carefully craft our image on social media, authenticity is your best asset when it comes to interviews,” Mullen said. “A common mistake students make is trying to impress the interviewer by exaggerating or misrepresenting their interests because they think it will ‘sound better.'”
If a very ordinary person is asked “What are your hobbies?” The question, Mullen said, is that you don’t have to say that you research Einstein’s theories in your spare time or speculate on Kant’s Categorical Imperative. “It’s perfectly acceptable to mention your favorite Netflix show or your love of the outdoors. In fact, the more authentic the answer, the better,” he said. “Remember: Most interviewers have gone through this process themselves and are accustomed to recognizing inauthenticity.”
4. Be balanced and polite
Some basic etiquette goes a long way. Among other common sense formalities, Kopp Weingarten reminds prospective students to show up on time for interviews (virtual or in-person), not to be underdressed, not to chew gum, and not to bring a parent. (“It’s hard to imagine, but it happens,” she said.)
Afterwards, don’t forget to e-mail a thank you note and let them know that a handwritten note will be sent afterward.
If your interview is taking place virtually, some reasonable protocols include keeping your computer charged; Cleaning camera lenses; turning off email notification sounds; Making sure the light source is in front of you, not behind you; Avoid wearing a color that blends into the background; There’s no mess behind you, Kopp Weingarten said. The college admissions guru also suggested that you put a “do not disturb” sign on your door so that no one can enter the room during your interview.
Remember that being polite doesn’t mean you have to look like a robot. Mullen cautioned that many students appeared overly rehearsed when answering the questions. “You should rehearse the questions, but practice sounding natural as if you’re having a conversation,” he said, adding that for online interviews, make sure you don’t read straight from the notes page because “it’s incredibly Embarrassing and easily obvious.” “Interviewer.”
Then, communicate as best you can while maintaining professional etiquette. “Don’t be afraid to flirt with the interviewer and interject when appropriate. If you have any questions, ask!” Mullen said. “Most candidates wait till the end to ask their questions. The more natural and interactive the interview is, the better.”
5. It’s not all about you
You’ll want to be as interested in the person interviewing you as you hope they’ll be interested in you. Do the research,” Chanin said. “Ask thoughtful questions that you can’t just ask on Google. Find out where they went to college, take an interest in their academic and professional lives, and take an interest in the school itself. Admissions representatives are looking for interesting and interested students.”
To that point, Chanin said it’s always useful to ask questions about the school you’re applying to, which will lead to a deeper conversation. For example, ask about initiatives that are in development at the institution, or ask about recent academic trends that the admissions representative has noticed – what types of majors are students gravitating toward? Who are some of the exciting professors currently working at the school?” Another big question to ask is whether any new programs are coming to fruition in the next four years, Chanin said.
6. Find your bond
“Even if you don’t share any esoteric hobbies with your interviewer, you may have more in common as human beings than you think,” Chanin said. “If you find those commonalities and build on them, your interview will be fantastic.”
This doesn’t always happen automatically, but don’t despair.
“Like an actor, you want to pay attention and respond to what the interviewer is giving you,” Chanin said. “Some interviewees won’t show a lot of emotion. Even if they aren’t giving you anything to work on, talk with enthusiasm and humor about what makes you happy.
