<p>It's almost time for my admissions interview at Carleton, and I am a little nervous. Carleton is my first choice school, and I don't want to mess this up. Does anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>Carleton interviews are easy and casual. Interviewers, whether they are admissions staff or student fellows, aren't looking to see how you answer tricky questions or perform under pressure. The interview is more informational than anything else--you talk about what you like and what you're interested in, the interviewer tells you about Carleton student groups that might be good for you, and over the course of the interview the only thing they might get out of it is whether you'd be a good fit or not here. I don't think what you say in the interview beyond that is really used in making your admissions decision, but I don't work for admissions so don't quote me. The actual act of visiting campus and interviewing definitely helps demonstrate interest in Carleton, though, and that is something that is important in admissions decisions. If Carleton is your first-choice, let the interviewer know that without being excessively emphatic, and don't stress out over it at all. As long as you don't say things like, "All I want out of college is to play Division I football for an amazing team, to double major in accounting and nursing, and to start a chapter of the KKK on campus," then I'm sure you'll do fine.</p>