<p>Hi, I am looking for some advice to help my daughter with her first college interview tomorrow. She is a shy girl, not one to show her personality from the start. She usually needs to warm-up a bit before her charming personality starts to shine. Do they put you on the spot to just start talking about yourself? What do they usually want to hear from you or about you? How long does a typical interview last? Any information would be greatly helpful.</p>
<p>30 min is average time. She should be able to discuss which ECs mean the most to her and why, what especially attracts her about that school, what her potential major is and why, and prepare at least one question to ask them that is not answered on their website or in their catalog. Often they ask some form of --how would you describe yourself in terms of interests and personality? Usually you fill in a pre-interview form and they start talking about stuff you wrote down.</p>
<p>This is based on five LAC interviews in the Northeast that my D did last summer. If parent sticks around they will often invite you in at the end.</p>
<p>You can avoid this by wandering off before the interview to look for a cup of coffee etc. and your D can say you are "walking around somewhere". Or you can go in and ask a couple of questions if you like.</p>
<p>Well, I think your daughter might consider it being put "on the spot" because any good interviewer is going to ask broad open-ended questions to see where the kid goes with them. A typical opening might be "Tell me about yourself". Its not that there's a right or wrong answer, they want to see what you bring up and how you describe things.</p>
<p>Rehearsal is a good technique. If you can, pick up a book on job interviewing at a bookstore or library today and have your D practice answering those questions. Colleges are going to ask much of the same thing -- "tell me about yourself", "what do you consider your strengths", "tell me about the teacher or friend who's had the greatest influence on you", etc. These are all pretty standard; just substitute "enroll here" for "work here" and the work-specific ones in the book will translate too. You can help your daughter by playing the role of interviewer.</p>
<p>Since your daughter is shy, her first responses may be awkward and incomplete. No problem. Just go over it a few times. Its just a matter of getting used to it. Remind her that the first day of HS she was probably nervous walking around campus, today I bet she doesn't give it a second thought.</p>
<p>One of the most important times, BTW, is when they ask if you have any questions. I guarantee she'll be asked this, and its not just to fill time. Its her turn to show she's done her homework and can ask cogent questions that show she knows about the particulars of the school and has read the material available in the viewbook, on the web, etc. and has considered herself as a student there and what questions would arise in envisioning that scenario.</p>
<p>Also since you say your daughter is shy you might want to put together a mini-resume listing courses, ECs, interests, etc. Then she can mention it in a casual manner. Eg -- "I brought a resume if you'd like to use it". If accepted it can help let the interviewer lead a bit since it will give areas to talk about.</p>
<p>imo it's okay to say at the start "I'm a little nervous" because that'll tell the interveiwer about her sincerity. but of course, your D should only be nervous during the first few mintues.</p>