While every college does things differently, a college interview, if offered, is simply a step in the admissions process. Despite the common myth that it’s a validation of your application, the truth remains that it is just another piece of the puzzle that is part of your application portfolio. An interview, nevertheless adds a unique dimension to your application.

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What exactly is a college interview?

 

A college interview is simply an unstructured conversation and while most interviews are evaluative in nature, it is not a test. Think of it as a 2-way information sharing session. The school gets to tell its story to the prospective student and the school also gets an opportunity to hear the student’s story. The topic and actual content are less important than how you conduct yourself and how you project yourself as a person. What is really being assessed is how capable and comfortable you are at conversing easily on substantive topics.

 

An interview is live, it is real, there is an element of intrinsic honesty that you can’t fake during a conversation. Colleges are looking at you and trying to determine who they are bringing into their community – a thinker, a scholar, a doer, a leader, a genuinely nice person who will enrich their community... Being artificial would admittedly be a bad idea; just be yourself and show them who you really are.

 

It is strongly recommended that you agree to an interview if offered. The process as well as the requirements differ from school to school. For example, most public schools do not conduct interviews. Simply look at the websites of the colleges on your list and look at what their policy is about interviewing prospective students.

 

For the most part the interviewer will guide you on what you can expect. Interviewers can sometimes be alumni or even current students. Often colleges do the interview only after your completed application is received. In any case, be clear about what the college offers and recommends, and you can decide suitably.

 

Basics like being on time, being polite and courteous, dressing appropriately, following basic etiquette etc. are obviously a given and should be adhered to without fail. Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time. A short note or an email sent after the interview is also a nice gesture.

 

 

What are Colleges looking for?

Here are some typical questions that you may face during a college interview.

 

• Why are you interested in our college/institution?

• How will attending this institution help you reach your academic or career goals?

• Beyond your GPA, what do your transcripts say about you as a student?

• If you could change one thing about your past education, what would it be and why?

• What kind of school are you looking for? What do you hope to get out of your college experience?

• What are your academic interests or potential areas of study?

 

It is not difficult to see that colleges are primarily trying to assess the student’s interest level. Make no mistake that there’s an element of recruitment going on. In addition, colleges are keen to understand the student’s intellectual capabilities as well as get insights into their personal qualities.

 

In summary, try and present yourself as someone who is comfortable with spontaneous conversation and has the ability to talk about your interests without sounding like you are sharing canned responses. Intellectual passion, love for learning, social maturity, sensitivity and concern for issues larger than what concerns oneself are all good qualities to demonstrate and highlight while still being honest. If not anything, just be open-minded and honest. More often than not, this alone will make your interview a successful one.

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College & Me is a series of articles featuring useful information about College Admissions for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in US colleges.

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