<p>I have my first college interview this week at WashU. It'll be 81 degrees and good chance of scattered thunderstorms. What should I wear to this? (We'll be doing a tour afterwards)</p>
<p>Additionally, is there a resource I can use to prepare myself for the types of questions they may ask me?</p>
<p>Any job interview prep book will suffice, the questions are essentially the same. Having your 1st interview this week doesn’t leave a lot of time to prep, but if you get ahold of an interviewing book and read thru it you’ll get some ideas of how to answer questions you are likely to hear. If your interviewer is any good, and for an on-campus interview they should be, expect open-ended questions. These are vague, intentionally so, because the interviewer cares a lot about how you choose to answer. For example “Tell me about yourself”. I suggest reading thru a book, then spend some time answering the questions out-loud, and also have a practice interview or two with a parent or friend.</p>
<p>One key part of the interview, often underappreciated by college applicants, is when they turn and say “Do you have any questions for me?” This isn’t idle chat or to kill time, its a chance for you to show that you’ve given serious thought to being a student there. For example “I know there are a lot of required classes in the Mechanial engineering major. I have an interest in spending a semester abroad; will I be able to work that in?” Asking questions readily answered on their website, or saying you don’t have any, doesn’t convey much interest in that school.</p>
<p>Khaki pants and a blue-striped Oxford cloth shirt. That’ll get you through most of college as well.</p>
<p>Male or female? If you are female you can wear a skirt and top or sundress (a modest one maybe with a light sweater) and flats; if you are male I’d probably go with khaki pants and a polo shirt. You want to look nice but you want to be comfortable for the tour as well.
If you google college interview questions you will find many lists. Also if you have a resume, I’d bring it and hand it to the interviewer as it is a good place to start a conversation. And I agree with @mikemac that you should come up with a couple of questions specific to WashU or to programs/activities you are particularly interested in that you can ask.</p>
<p>Know your interests and be prepared to market yourself/your skills, but don’t be worried about this at all. College interviews don’t matter whatsoever for admission. They’re pretty much just a pass/fail sanity check.</p>
<p>I don’t know why you’d dress up; you’re applying to be a STUDENT. STUDENTS don’t dress up. Having said that, either really nice jeans or khakis, a nice belt, shirt tucked in.</p>
<p>For girls, I recommend (and wore too all my interviews) nice jeans or khakis, ballet flats, and a nice blouse (or linen t shirt).</p>
<p>I’ve done several job interviews before, so if they’re anything like that, I should be well-prepared for them. I should probably have more academically-related answers to “Tell me about yourself”…</p>
<p>“I don’t know why you’d dress up” versus what? Dressing like you’re on your way to the beach?</p>
<p>I don’t think any person who makes an attempt to look clean and proper has anything to worry about. But to be completely casual speaks loudly that the person has no clue of any gravitas or understanding of any given social situation.</p>
<p>I am in agreement that no one needs to be in full business attire but business casual is the rule of thumb. Go with that.</p>
<p>@T26E4 There’s a difference between beach wear and “not dressing up”…</p>
<p>You polish it up a bit because you’re showing that you’re eager to make a good impression and that you take the situation seriously. </p>