6 Tips for Acing Your College Interview
Your college interview is an important part of the college admissions process. Though many schools do not require prospective students to interview, it can give you a competitive edge. Plus, if you do decide to set up a college interview, you will naturally want to put your best foot forward. Whether this is your first ever interview or you are looking to brush up your skills, use these six tips to succeed during your admissions interview.
1. Prepare for the Interview Questions
Interviewers often ask the same questions, so it’s pretty easy to be prepared for the interview itself if you know which questions they’ll be asking. Below, are a few example questions of what to expect for your interview:
What reasons do you have for attending our school?
What’s currently your favorite subject in school?
What kind of courses do you want to study in college?
What makes your application stand out from the rest?
What’s a failure you have learned from in the past?
2. Practice
To knock out your interview successfully, it’s crucial that you practice for it. You might not have necessary interviewing experience before, so we suggest preparing with your friends or family members a couple of days per week before the big interview.
3. Research the University
At any sort of interview, whether it is for college or a job, you should first research the organization you are trying to join. This way, you can enter your interview feeling informed and confident. Do as much research as you can before the day of the interview. Don’t stop after browsing through the university’s website, though you should still scan the site for as much information as you can.
Read the student newspaper to learn more about the goings-on at the university, campus issues, and first-hand accounts of actual students. You can also find more information by reading online reviews of the college and blogs of students who attend the university. The more information you have, the better off you will be.
4. Be Your Unique Self
One of the main points of interviewing at a college is so you can determine whether or not you will be a good fit at the university. The best way you can ensure that you will be happy at college is by being yourself at the interview. By doing so, you can discover what you bring to the community and what you will get out of it. Prior to your interview, think about why you want to go to the school, what you want your major to be, and what you want to do after you graduate.
Though you should be your authentic self, you also want to make sure you are being your best self. Act poised and professional. Show the interviewer that you are serious about the interview and studying at the college. After all, you want to make a good first impression.
5. Prepare Questions
At the end of the interview, the interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions for them. You should always ask at least one question, though two or three is usually better. Be sure to ask specific questions that you could not easily answer by browsing the school website. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your questions either.
6. Send a Handwritten Thank You Note
You can go above and beyond in making a good impression by sending a handwritten note to your interviewer. Be sure to express your gratitude and let them know how much you appreciate them taking the time to meet with you. When sending a letter of thanks, choose handwritten over an email. Interviewers a likely get hundreds of emails every day. You can stand out by writing and mailing your letter. Remember to sign it with your name, email address, and phone number. This way, they can keep in contact with you if they want to.
