Preparing for the College Interview

When preparing for the college interview you may find you feel practice doesn't make a differance

However, prepartion is key to a successful interview

When preparing for the college interview, advance research and developing interviewing skills will go a long way towards helping you complete a successful interview. You may feel this is an impossibility, but if you follow the directions listed below, you will sail through any college interview that comes your way.

A common misconception among students is the idea that the college interview "really doesn't count for much". Nothing could be further from the truth. College officials wouldn't be wasting their time and money on these interviews if they didn't think they were an important part of the admissions process. In actuality, admissions offices have developed guidelines for scoring these interviews. They generally measure the same two things: personality (how interesting and involved you are) and intellectual ability (how well you explain your thoughts and opinions). When preparing for the college interview, the guidelines below will help you express yourself to admissions officers effectively.

Lack of Preparation and Lack of Interview Experience are the Two Major Causes of a Bad Interview

Both of these shortcomings can be overcome. Let's take them on one at a time:

Lack of Preparation

When preparing for the college interview, the importance of advance preparation can not be stressed enough. This is absolutely the only way you can complete the college interview in a stress free manner. With advance preparation you will be relaxed and in control during the entire interview process. Because your relaxed manner will transfer itself to the interviewer, you will make a favorable impression that will be in your favor.

List Everything You Can Say About Yourself

Make a list of all the things you can say about yourself, starting with the most positive things that come into your mind. Try to find examples in your life where these qualities came into play.

Pretend you have just met someone you would like to get better acquainted with. What would you tell them about yourself to put yourself in a positive light? Write down this conversation so that you can refer to it later when you are putting together a profile of yourself. You can be sure one of the first statements from the interviewer will be, "Tell me a little about yourself."

When you finish writing, think about one or two disappointments you had in your life. How did you overcome them and what did you learn from them?

Think of one or two weaknesses that you may have. Look for examples and show how you can actually find ways of dealing with these and turning these weaknesses into strengths. For example, you may be a perfectionist and drive everyone around you crazy with your attention to details. However, when a project comes up that needs perfect attention to detail, you are the first person they call. Perhaps you always have to be on time and won't wait for people if they are tardy. But if something has absolute deadlines, people know you can always be counted on to get things done, no matter what comes up. Never say anything about yourself if you can't counter it with a positive way you have developed to deal with this.

Prepare a List of Subjects You Can Talk About

Prepare a list of subjects you are interested in talking about when preparing for the college interview. List things such as “family,” “town,” “school,” and “favorite activity/subject.” You are going to be asked about who you are, what you do and like. If you make a statement such as, "Well, I really don't have much to say.", or when asked, "What is your favorite activity?" you reply: "I like sports.", you can bet you are not going to get high marks in the personality department.

You may be asked questions about your classes. Here is a list of questions to think about when you are preparing for the college interview:

What classes are you taking?
How would you describe your classes?
What is your favorite course?
Did you ever had a course that you failed miserably?
Your least favorite?
What satisfaction do you get from your courses?

Research the College and Be Prepared to Talk About It

You will most likely be asked why you want to attend the college you are being interviewed for. When preparing for the college interview, do some in depth research on the school. Answers such as, "My father will only pay if I attend his alma mater.", or, "I heard I can get a really good job if I go here." will not impress the interviewer. Read the college brochure/catalog and also look over the website. Prepare a short statement on why you chose that particular college and what courses or activities attracted you to this school.

Don't Forget to Make a List of Questions When Preparing for the College Interview

When preparing for the college interview, remember that it is a two way street. Not only is the college interviewing you, but you have a chance to see if this is the right choice for you. The interviewer will expect you to have some questions also. Now is the time to ask about anything that is on your mind. Some things you might think about are:
- What type of system does the school have in place for choosing room mates?
- Are there any changes expected in the teacher lineup in the courses you are interested in?
- Is there any major construction going on that will affect students?
- How will you access the college advisors?
- Ask about your major. Are there any new courses that will be offered in the near future?
Once you have all your information on paper, take the time to get everything in order. Read everything over and re-write the sections that don't satisfy you. Now begin to memorize your questions and answers. When preparing for a college interview, you don't want everything to be stilted and rehearsed. However, you do want to be relaxed and prepared. Once you feel you are comfortable with your preparations, it's time to get some interview experience. Move on to Obtaining Interview Experience for more information on this subject.
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