<p>How do I prepare for interviews? I have no idea what to say.</p>
<p>I tried to think of everything an interviewer might ask my daughter, and I practiced with her. When she gave me an answer, I would help her word it better or add to it.</p>
<p>When it got right down to it, no matter how many different questions I tried to come up with for her to practice, they would ask a question I hadn't thought of. But, at least practice having to come up with an answer.</p>
<p>So, we talked to this girl (a vocal performance student applying for grad school) who was asked "What do you want to do after you graduate from grad school?" She said "I want a job" Not the best answer. She said she could tell they weren't please with her reply. So, a better answer would be "I want to sing in major opera companies, eventually receiving lead roles. I would like to be employed as a singer as much as possible".</p>
<p>Practice, honing your answers.</p>
<p>May I suggest, RELAX and be yourself. An interview is also YOUR chance to ask questions of the faculty and to see where you would fit within their program.</p>
<p>Where are you interviewing? I agree that relaxing and being yourself is best, and also think the kind of practice described might interfere with being natural and spontaneous. On the other hand, if you are not a verbal person, it does help to keep in mind the general idea of expanding a little on your answers.</p>
<p>Some conservatories that my daughter auditioned and interviewed at seemed to want to break her down. One, in particular, actually. Just as the other poster said, this type of interaction should make you think about whether you want to go there, not just whether they want you.</p>
<p>You can't anticipate too much: our daughter ended up sitting in a room with one of the most well-known contemporary composers, and the lights went out. Her interview was in the dark!</p>
<p>They are going to ask you about what you have done. What do you want to do. What are your interests. Think about what makes you stand out, why should they take you over the next person.</p>
<p>For each school, be prepared for:
1) Why this school; and
2) Have a few questions ready about the school that shows you have researched them.</p>
<p>I remember one school when I was interviewing (regular college, not music) where the interviewer asked you to open the window. It was stuck shut. He just wanted to see how your responded. So, never loose your cool, and it is ok to admit that you don't know (better than making up something that is completely wrong).</p>