Tips for College Interviews

By Liz Jackson

College interviews, which are typically conducted by admissions officers, alumni, or students, are becoming a less-common component of the college admissions process. But if schools to which you are applying offer or require interviews, it’s important to be prepared for them! Below are some tips to help you get ready.

Practice your answers to these common questions:

Most college interviews are relatively informal. Your interviewer is likely to ask questions about your background, interests, and experiences. To ensure that you feel confident and comfortable with your answers, spend some time thinking about how you would respond to the below commonly-asked questions. Then, practice saying your responses out loud. Even better if you can practice with a parent or friend!

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to attend this college?
• What are your academic interests?
• What do you do outside of school?
• How do you contribute to your community?
• What is are recent book you read that you found interesting?
• Tell me about an obstacle you’ve overcome.

Research the College:

One of the most common interview questions, and arguably the most important, is why you are interested in attending the college. Therefore, it’s important to know some basics about the school—its location, mission, and availability of your intended major. Consider the four major elements that contribute to the “fit” of a college: academic, social, location, and financial. Which of those elements appeal to you the most? That may help to direct your answer. It’s also a good idea to stay up-to-date on any recent news or developments related to the college.

Questions you could ask your interviewer include:

As with most job interviews, your college interviewer will expect you to ask a few questions about the school. They want to know how much you’ve researched the college, and that you’re thinking critically about how you might fit in there. Questions you could ask include: 

• What is your favorite aspect of [college name]? If the interviewer is an alumnus/na, you could ask what they liked best about their experience at the school.
• How does the location of the school influence the student life experience?

Understand the Interview Venue and Format 

Be sure to know whether your interview will occur in-person or online. Then, dress appropriately and accordingly for the venue of the interview. For example, if the interview is taking place at a Starbucks, you should not wear a suit. If the interview is at a law firm, you should not wear jeans. For many venues, slacks or a skirt and a button-down shirt is appropriate. 

Throughout the interview, maintain eye contact and smile. When the interview ends, offer a firm handshake. You want to convey enthusiasm for the college through your answers and your body language.

Most of all, you want to be yourself! Representing yourself authentically is probably the most important part of your interview. Nobody knows your interests, hobbies, and hopes for the future better than you, so have confidence that you are going to showcase what makes you special!

When the meeting is over, don’t forget to thank your interviewer with an email or a handwritten note. This is your final  opportunity to make an impression and remind the interviewer why you’d made a great addition to their school’s incoming class.

About Liz Jackson

Liz Jackson serves as the director of College Guidance at University School of Milwaukee. She has more than 15 years of experience helping students and families find the right college. With experience in counseling, higher education research, and school leadership, Liz enjoys getting to know students and matching their interests to the unique offerings of each college.