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The admission interview is a very important part of your college application process. During the interview, the admission officer will assess you on your personality, character and aspirations.
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The admission interview is a very important part of your college application process. During the interview, the admission officer will assess you on your personality, character and aspirations. The interview is an opportunity to project you as someone who will be a great addition to the university. Merely meeting the academic qualifications does not guarantee a seat in the program; your whole personality should suit the college and its principles. Colleges usually prefer candidates whom they believe will add value to their college and will appreciate the knowledge gained. Therefore it is your responsibility to show them that you are an ideal candidate who will do full justice to the course.
Research the college well ahead of time Familiarize yourself with the college and what it stands for. Read the brochures and visit the website to gain better insights. Visit the campus if you can. Keep an eye out for things that you really like about the college or its campus. Also make sure that you know the exact location of the college so that you arrive for the interview on time.
Be polite to everyone you meet in the campus Be polite to people you meet in the campus. You never know who might be observing you. Admission officers look for much more than a good score in your mark sheet. The way you present yourself, inside and outside the interview room, matters a great deal.
Review your application Read through your application material before the interview. The admission officer is likely to ask you several questions regarding your application essay and cover letter. Don’t get caught unprepared.
Dress appropriately Pay attention to what you wear. There are no set rules on what to wear for a college interview; however, you do want to look nice. Choose your attire based on the type of program and the culture of the school you are applying to, the weather, and the context of the admission interview. If you cannot decide, just ask the admissions office – they will be able to give you more information on what kind of attire is typically worn during their interviews.
Prepare for potential questions There are a few questions interviewers may ask all students; prepare for them well in advance. Some of the questions include: • Tell me about yourself. • Why did you apply to this college? • What will you major in? • Describe yourself using 3 adjectives. • How do you define success? • Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Prepare at least 3 questions to ask the interviewer Prepare some questions to show your level of interest in the program and the college. Ask specific questions. e.g. • What are popular majors? • What role does the student body play or how active is it? • Where does the college need to improve and how can the students contribute? Etc. Don’t ask generic questions that can be answered by reading through the brochure.
Speak up during the interview Practice at home by looking into a mirror and answering questions. During the interview, show enthusiasm and interest in the college. Keep the answers conversational and natural. Don’t memorize your answers, or you may end up sounding like you are reading from a script. Be honest, natural and spontaneous.
Bring a pen and paper You can use the pen and paper to write down your prepared questions so you won’t forget to ask them. You can also take notes during the conversation.
Thank the interviewer Thank the interviewer as you finish your conversation. Also send a thank-you note after the interview. The more interest you show in a college, the more interest they are likely to show in you. With some preparation, you can enter into a great conversation with your admissions officer. Take advantage of the opportunity that the interview provided to get to know your prospective school a little better.
