I have an on-campus interview for Smith College in a couple days and I’m really nervous. What kind of clothes should I wear, just nice or business level? Do I need to bring a resume? What kind of questions do they ask?
Hi–No worries. You’re going to be fine. : )
So I’ve interviewed students for another school for several years. It’s not Smith, but maybe I can help a little.
Whatever the student decides to wear is okay. So wear something that you feel comfortable presenting yourself in. Sometimes a student comes in a suit–although that’s rare. Usually the student is coming directly from school and so has a backpack and school clothes on.
What happens in the interviews with me is that I think of that time as a chance for the student to find out more about the school. It’s also a time for the student to talk more directly to the Admissions committee, albeit through me. Finally it’s a chance for us to have some fun.
To prepare, then, you may want to look carefully at the website and think about Smith and come up with several questions. Ideally they are questions that can’t be answered from the website. Like the website will be able to tell you how many students are at Smith, but may not be able to tell you what the lab facilities are like for the bio classes. Second, if there’s something that you want the adcom committee to know about you, even if you’ve said it in your application, this is a great chance to tell them again. For example, is Smith yoru first choice? If it is, then let them know clearly. “Although because applying to colleges is competitive, I’ve had to apply to several, Smith is my first choice for XYZ reasons.” Do you have a dip in grades that you need to explain? Come up with a 1-2 sentence explanation and mention this. Keep it short. “I got a C in APUSH my junior year and was very surprised. To do better next year, I did ABC and my grade improved to an A” Do you feel that you have a way to create a unique major at Smith that can only be done at Smith? Maybe engineering combined with history? (Smith uniquely has an engineering dept. at a women’s school.) Then let them know. Do you see yourself organizing one or two or more of the clubs or student groups? Showing the adcom how you fit into Smith community can help. Third, think of this time as a fun way to get to know a fellow Smith person. Have fun! Laugh! Discuss your favorite book in common. Ask her what her favorite tradition was, her favorite class, best professor when she was there, funny stories that she remembers, that sort of thing.
Best wishes.
Business casual (no jeans, no sneakers). Resume not required but you should be able to tell the interviewer what’s generally on it. I remember getting pretty standard college interview questions - why Smith, why a women’s college, what do you do for fun, what do you plan to major in and why, extracurricular activities and work experience, what classes are you taking right now and what do you think about them, have you visited campus/if so what did you think, do you have any questions for your interviewer, etc.
Don’t worry too much! Smithies (your interviewer included) are generally pretty nice people.