<p>I'm a rising high school senior. At the end of this month I'll have my first college interview (and first interview ever actually) at Gettysburg College. I'm mildly nervous and unprepared at the moment. Should I bring something with me, like a résumé or mock common app or something? I've started looking up common interview questions to have somewhat prepared answers to so I think I'll be solid on that come late June. I've heard it's important to ask questions as well, but what is good or appropriate to ask? As far as clothing goes, is a semi-formal sundress acceptable since it's summer? Are fancy sandals okay or should I opt for flats (I hate flats) or something?</p>
<p>Any other general tips would be appreciated as well. Thank you!</p>
<p>First, try to relax and be yourself during the interview. My D interviewed at (I think) four LACs (and is attending one now). She did prepare a resume which highlighted her academics and EC’s and thought it was helpful in that it gave the interviewer a quick overview of her accomplishments/interests and allowed the interview to be more focused. She also always brought in an index card with a few questions she wanted to ask the interviewer (not things you could find the answers to on the website, but more some specific things she was particularly interested in). She went into the interview with a few resumes and an index card in a folder.</p>
<p>In terms of dress, your sundress should be perfect (as long as it isn’t really short or skimpy on top which from the description of semi-formal it sounds like it isn’t) and either nice sandals or flats are fine. You might also bring a light cardigan as the office is probably air conditioned. You want to look nice but still be comfortable.</p>
<p>Relax, relax, relax! They are trying to sell you on their school at the same time you are trying to sell them that you will be a good fit for them. It would make sense to bring some sort of resume with you. It will make it easier for the interviewer to know what kind of questions to ask you based on this resume. You should have a few questions for them as well. Ask about things that you are passionate about or things you think you might be interested in trying in college. Good topics are almost always the study abroad program, internships, etc. Your clothing selection seems just fine, don’t sweat the small details. The interview is only important in that it shows them your level of interest. They say they put no weight on the interview in the selection process. Grades, scores and EC’s are what they put the most value on … and any hooks you may bring. Best of luck to you! </p>
<p>Do you have the interviewer’s email address? You can just contact them and ask directly. In general, be prepared to talk about your interests and why you like the school, and prepare some questions for them beforehand. </p>
<p>Most books about college admissions will have a chapter on college interviews. That can give you some advice.</p>
<p>As for what to ask, you want to show with your questions that you have read the materials they make it available and you have thought about being a student there. Asking about stuff they go over on the web in their prospective student section doesn’t do this, obviously. Think of this not just as an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the college but as a real opportunity for you to learn something more about the college. It really is a 2-way street.</p>
<p>This may seem obvious, but greeting the interviewer with a smile, eye contact, and firm handshake (even if you’re nervous) immediately establishes you as confident in the eyes of the interviewer. (And while you are waiting in the admissions office beforehand, it’s better to chat with other folks waiting or peruse any college brochures or coffee table books instead of texting or doing anything on your phone.) Don’t chew gum or wear a lot of perfume. If you tend to say “um” or “like” during conversational pauses, start working on eliminating that now. Even when a school claims that interviews are non-evaluative, the fact that they offer them at all means that getting to know you beyond your grades & scores is something they value – and something that can tip the balance for or against you in the admissions committee deliberations. Candidates who are hurt by the interview process tend to be the ones who come off as arrogant or disinterested. Candidates who are able to get across their genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the school are likely to be helped by an interview. Finally, write a brief thank-you note to your interviewer and mail it within 24 hours of your interview. This small thing really helps you stand out at a LAC.</p>
<p>It is also perfectly fine to email the thank you notes. My D emailed them and got immediate and very positive replies back from the admissions officers which was nice.</p>
<p>And to expand on @yaupon, the other area where I have head of kids getting hurt is when they exaggerate something on their resume and can’t comfortably talk about it. You should only put on achievements/activities that you can talk about and expand upon easily in a conversation.</p>
<p>@Tarahific, thanks for starting this thread, as the advice being given is very helpful and I plan to share it with my DS, who will also begin college interviews soon.</p>
<p>I’ve read that some admissions reps may ask you questions like what books you read in your “free” time (not school-assigned material), what you would do in a given day if you didn’t have anything scheduled, and questions along those lines. You may want to google “job interview” questions, because similar questions might come up. However, I want to stress that DS is our oldest - so he has no idea what to expect and we have no idea how to guide him, aside from helping him prepare for basic questions + anticipate some questions that may be out of left-field. </p>
<p>Also, I agree w/PPs who mention that you should smile, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, don’t wear any fragrance, and try not to stress too much. Reps are people, too, and they were young once (many still are!), so it really will be OK. I’ve told DS that he should simply do his best and that’s all he can do.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Assuming you will be going on a tour along with your interview? Wear comfortable shoes. </p>
<p>I don’t know if this will help or not, but my daughter always found it helpful if we could hit the tour the day before the interview and then do the interview the next morning, after she had a chance to think about what she just saw. It also gave her a chance to ask some questions of the tour guide or anyone else she saw, could take a look around campus, even in summer, after hours, and in general was able to pay attention to the tour and orientation session without worrying about the interview starting in 15 minutes. Then she was ready to do the interview, without being all sweaty from walking the campus on a hot summer day.</p>
<p>I know it’s not always possible to schedule things like that, but if you can manage it, it does make things a little easier. After the interview, we would leave immediately and try to get to the next school and hit the afternoon tour before the next interview.</p>