I have an interview in a couple days at my top college. I’ve done an interview before at another college, and so I know basically what to expect. However, one part I struggled with at my last interview was when the interviewer asked if I had any questions for her. I had already been on a campus tour/info session there before my interview so I basically had already asked all the questions I had.
I know pretty much all I need about the college I am interviewing with on Wednesday. I’ve visited three times, done a ton of research online… So I’m kind of nervous about when they ask me what questions I have for them. I know I can say I don’t have any and it’d be fine. But I want to be seen in the most positive and energetic way as possible, so if I could refrain from saying that, I’d like to.
Can any of you think of any GENERAL questions I could ask an interviewer? I know all colleges are obviously different. But just in general, keeping in mind I don’t want to ask any questions I could easily find on their website/Google.
Maybe admissions specific questions? I’m applying ED, and the app is due in exactly a month from now.
When asked by the interviewer whether you have any questions, NEVER respond with no. There are many things you can ask. How about the interviewer’s undergrad experience at the college, what his/her likes and dislikes were. How strong is the alumni networking? Any questions about residential dorm life, its food? Availability of any specific clubs you’re interested in. Etc. etc.
This doesn’t answer your question exactly, but I think that it is perfectly fine to say, “No, but thank you for checking. I have visited the college three times, actually, and they answered all of my questions on those visits. If you would be willing, I’d love to take your business card, so I can email you if any more questions come up.” (Then you’ll also know where to mail the thank you note!)
You might turn the conversation towards the interview’s experiences: ask which classes were their favorites or which dorms s/he lived in and which s/he liked best.
Honestly, letting the interviewer know you have visited the college three times shows a lot of enthusiasm in itself.
Agree with the above! Usually you are interviewing with an alum. Ask about what their best memory was. What they would have done differently if they could go back to college now. Biggest misconception. What surprised them about their school. What was their favorite class. Favorite prof. Post grad job or graduate school experience. Etc…
If it’s a staff member - what is the most unique thing about your school. Why they like representing their school.
Talking about your specific interests is good too. I know you have _____ club. Do you have any experience with it yourself?
Remembering you are talking to a real life person. As an alumna who does interviews, I love talking about my college experience, visits back to campus, and hope to transmit some my enthusiasm to the applicant.
Definitely, definitely, definitely engage in asking questions!
My D always spent time preparing questions in advance when she went to college interviews. She wrote them on an index card which she kept in a folder with her resume just in case she froze and forgot them (I don’t think she ever used the index card but it made her feel more secure to know it was there). The questions were always specific to the school and her particular interests.
The “go to’s” are asking any alumni or student interviewer about their experiences at school X. Could be academic, social/student life, networking or career related. People generally like to talk about themselves. Also after the initial question, make it a conversation with follow up questions, comments, observations. If it is an AO staff member who is not a student or alum, you can ask them to compare and contrast their experience at college X with what they observe at this college. Application process questions may also be an appropriate topic for a staff member, less so for an alum.
Another category you might want to ask about are the school traditions. That makes for a fun and interesting conversation. Also you may learn about the school from a different angle.
Thank you all! I never really thought about asking about personal experiences, but that makes total sense. I will DEFINITELY do that! For sure better than just sitting there fumbling around for a question about the school.
@dustyfeathers I like that! I know a couple of the main traditions but that’s a good question to ask anyway because there might be more I don’t know yet.
In my 5 years as an interviewer, I’ve never had a good interview experience with an applicant with no questions for me about the school or anything related to the school. Those without any questions prepared for me seemed they were just interested in being admitted to the school simply because of its prestige. I also always ask, “why this college?” to gauge the applicant’s true interest and why the college is a great fit for the applicant, and it’s quite sad to witness either a blank stare or, worse, “because it’s the best college in the world” as the response. My #1 advise to all applicants before the interview is to be thoroughly prepare to demonstrate why that particular college is your best fit and no other. That should take care of “why this college?” type of question that throws off so many interviewees. I don’t care whether you’ve visited the campus 100 times since your birth, prepare with a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
I 100% agree with @TiggerDad that you have to have a solid answer to the “why us” question. I always lead with that question too. Nothing turns me off faster than the answer “it’s a great school”. (Although during the single worst meeting I ever had, the answer was “because my girlfriend made me apply.”)
I had a meeting once with a third generation legacy student who basically grew up going to visit every single summer. She still had tons of questions, was wanting another perspective of the school, and was in general very engaging.
Bottom line is that you want your interviewer to feel your excitement and passion for the school.
Here are some “general” questions that might work:
How would you describe the typical student at ____?
What are the most popular clubs? How do students become involved with these clubs – is it competitive, etc.?
How do students typically find jobs for summers and after graduation? Does the school host job fairs? IF so, what locations and industries do employers come from? What geographic areas?
I think general questions can be good because you can compare the answers across colleges;
How would you describe the typical student at _?
What would you say makes _ different than similar universities?
(if the interviewer attended the college) What made you choose ___?
Are the students more collaborative or competitive?
What are some of the unique traditions of ______?
I definitely agree you should have some ready. These types are good because some of the point of the interview is for you to get info about the college.
I am an interviewer for a HYPSM college who usually asks “if you have any questions for them” at the end of the interview. I primarily ask this question to see if I can assist with information that may not be found in the usual college materials. I’d want the student to ask about whatever they’d like to know about – whether that be about the classes, the surrounding area, the food (comes up a surprising portion of the time), balancing time between in classroom and out of classroom activities, how well the college assists with job placement, specific programs within the college, campus traditions, sporting event attendance, my personal experiences, etc. The bulk of my comments and ratings are based on the earlier portions of the interview, in which I might ask questions fishing for examples that show the student displays something the college values, or something relevant that was not mentioned elsewhere in the application…
@Knowsstuff I don’t think I would ask about alumni as a student…i have never had a student ask about that.
I don’t think it matters what you ask (as long as it is reasonable), but it would be odd not to get any questions as that is half the point of the interview.
