So I have my alumni interview coming up this week. I’ve had a few for other colleges, and my biggest issue is the part where the interviewer says, “Do you have any questions?” I am fine with answering all of his/her’s, however I always have trouble coming up with my own. This is because I have done extensive research on each of my schools, and really can’t think of anything else to ask. So if you could list a few questions you generally ask(ed), and/or would recommend me asking, that would be wonderful. Thanks so much in advance!
You could ask about their experiences at Penn – what they liked most about it, least favorite thing, etc.
Thank you, but when asking “What is your favorite part of___”, I feel like it sounds as if I know nothing, and am just trying to say something. Anyone else have suggestions?
What made you choose Penn?
What features about it stood out from your other choices?
What good thing did you expect to find at Penn but didn’t?
Any bad things you expected to find at Penn but didn’t?
What’s your opinion of the biggest improvement at Penn since you graduated?
The biggest disappointment?
Knowing a little about me, what challenges do you think I’d encounter at Penn or similar schools?
Any advice to mitigate that?
Do you think any of my per-conceived notions are off base?
Too rosy? Too pessimistic?
@T26E4, thank you!!
One of the best things you can do is be prepared. Spend some time learning about the school. Hopefully you were able to visit the campus. If not, at least spend some time reading the website.
Also try to highlight any new information that could be helpful to admissions, or anything important that may not have been clear from the application and essays.
You won’t sound like you don’t know what to say if you ask an interviewer about their favorite things/experiences/classes/etc. I get asked that all the time (in various guises) - and I think it’s a perfectly valid question. It demonstrate interest in the school and in the interviewer as well. I talk about different things depending on how and where the conversation has taken us. I can’t add much to T26E4’s list as those are the sort of questions I expect to be asked.
Don’t worry so much about asking questions that you could answer yourself with research, but don’t ask questions that demonstrate ignorance. There’s a difference. I’ve had students ask me about merit aid, about Penn’s suburban location, and had them discuss longingly the sort of program they wish to design for themselves without realizing such a major/program already exists. For example, I’ll happily discuss writing opportunities (newspapers, magazines, KWH) with a student but I’ll look askance at someone who wants to know if they can do an independent major that is basically the Biological Basis of Behavior program.
Good luck with your interview. Seeing that I’m late to the party it has likely already taken place.
@plmdin, thank you so much. Better late than never - I of course have other colleges as well, and your advice still proves valid.
Good luck with your other interviews. Don’t forget to sent your interviewer a thank-you e-mail.
Absolutely critical. But remember, keep the email short and sweet. If you genuinely have question, interviewers are happy to answer something outside of the actual interview, but don’t try to redo the interview in your thank you email.