Hello, I am preparing for a on campus summer college interview and was wondering for any tips. I have heard that before going to the interview I should go to interviews at other colleges to get a feel or have some practice. Do you guys have any other ideas? Please help.
Thanks in advance!
There are lists of typical interview questions - find those and review them. Think through your answers - not to memorize responses but to get a feel for the kinds of things you may be asked. Have an adult friend interview you (using questions from the list or their own questions if they interview people often) as a practice. And ask explicitly for suggestions on how to improve. (I do this for several friends’ kids)
Remember that alumni interviews at most schools are just informational not evaluative - they don’t count for much, if anything, in the admissions process - and why should they since it’s just the impression of one person that admissions doesn’t even know. For those that are evaluative (and those would usually be done by an admissions officer or someone on their staff), they are not trying to trip you up or make you feel bad about yourself - they want you to have a good impression of the school and a positive experience in the interaction. Use it as an opportunity to learn more by asking some good questions (ideally NOT asking for info that you should have found on the school web site before the interview.)
Hope this helps. I have interviewed for my alma mater. I usually enjoy it - lots of interesting students who have done cool things. The best interviews turn into conversations such as you’d have with a new friend, where they are sharing what excites and interests them.
@N’sMom it really helps thank you! Is there a website that has typical interview questions? Thanks
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/tp/college-interview-questions.htm
and
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/interviews/college-interviews-practice-questions-and-strategies
I googled ‘typical college interview questions’ and these were the first two links. Have at it.
My D did a number of interviews …I’d suggest the following.
-For dress my D either wore a skirt/top or a sundress with flats or wedges or black pants with nice black boots and a blouse (depending on the weather to some extent). Of course nothing revealing, nothing with writing/designs that could be at all distracting, offensive etc. My S wore khakis, a polo or button down shirt, and topsiders or loafers.
-You should google “sample college interview questions” and you will get a list of some things that are commonly asked. You should definitely be prepared to talk about her HS academics, ECs, interests etc.
-It would be good to come up with some reasons you particularly like each school. It would also be good to come up with a couple of questions that specifically relate to each school. Some questions can be used for more than one school My D put some questions/reasons she liked school on an index card which she brought to each interview in a folder in case she “froze”. I think it was kind of a security blanket and she never took it out (but she’d look it over before each interview).
-My D always brought a resume to her interviews in a folder (with her index card just in case). If you don’t have a resume there are samples online (google high school resume samples) and one can be done pretty quickly. Bringing a resume was very helpful as it gave the interviewer the chance to ask more questions more directed to her interests/activities etc.
-And the obvious stuff – phone on vibrate or off and out of sight, no gum, no eating onions before interview etc.
The interviews all seemed to be low key and more of a conversation than anything else. Just to try to relax and be yourself.