College Admissions: 6 Ways to Impress Your Interviewer
Monday, October 30, 2017
1. Do your homework
Spend 1-2 hours the day before your interview thoroughly perusing the college web site. Read about new buildings, professors who have won awards and student projects. Delve into your desired major or explore the majors offered. Make notes on things that interest you and questions you want to ask. Being well-versed in the university’s offerings and recent news makes the interviewer feel you are a student who takes initiative and cares. Perhaps the most important question you are likely to get is “Why do you want to attend our college?” You should be ready to be very specific when answering this question. Don’t focus on the city the school is in, the winning sports teams, “connections” they will help you make, or the pretty campus. Talk about the educational philosophy, expertise in a major you want to declare, research opportunities, clubs you want to join, community service initiatives you want to be a part of, and unique aspects of the university. For sample interview questions, check out the Bates College web site.
2. Dress for success, manners matter
Now is not the time to wear your tattered jeans, controversial t-shirt, or low-cut blouse. You don’t need to wear a suit, but you should wear a nice pair of pants and a shirt and sweater, or a dress. Unless you are interviewing at an art school and want to express your personality, you want the interviewer to focus on you, not on your clothing.
Interviewers are looking for mature students. When he or she greets you, put your hand out first, look him/her in the eye and introduce yourself. Make sure that you have a firm handshake and maintain eye contact throughout your meeting. It may sound simple, but most students don’t do one or more of these things.
You also want to sit upright in your meeting and display positive body language. Smile, lean into the conversation and present an upbeat image of yourself and your background. Leave any negative comments about your school, friends or family at home.
3. Have a plan
Come prepared with three things that you want to get across about yourself in the interview; things that can’t be seen on your application. When the interviewer asks you a question, don’t give a one or two word answer; back it up with an example or a proof point. So, if you have just been asked what your best quality is and you said “determination”, then back your statement up with, “When I wanted to start a business club at my school, some students and administrators said that no one would be interested. But I put up posters, promoted speakers and three years later, we now have over 100 members.” Don’t be shocked if the interviewer asks you why the college should pick you, or what you would say about yourself if you had five minutes with the Dean of Admissions.
4. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity
Interviewers, especially at more competitive colleges, are likely to ask you what you read outside of school. It doesn’t matter if you are a science geek who reads mostly physics journals, a Jane Austen fan, or a news junkie. But be prepared to talk about what you read for pleasure, and be ready to answer the question “What issue concerns you most in the world?”
5. Know what to ask
You will ALWAYS be asked what you would like to know about the university. Make sure that you have 3-5 great questions which can’t be answered by reading the college website. Ask about the most popular extra-curricular activities on campus, a new lab facility that is under construction or internships in your field of interest. If the interviewer is an alumni, ask what s/he liked most, what they would change, and what they think is most unique about their college
6. Finally...
When you leave, shake the interviewer’s hand again, thank him/her and tell them that you are very interested in being a part of the university. Then when you get home, write a thank-you note. And, if the interviewer comes to your school in the coming months, make sure to stop by and say hello!
Related Articles
- College Admissions: 10 Western Colleges Worth The Trip This Summer
- College Admissions: Will You Get a Free SAT in October?
- College Admissions: How To Get Noticed by College Coaches Now
- College Admissions: 5 Endless Summer Colleges
- College Admissions: Insider Secrets for Pre-Med Applicants
- College Admissions: 5 Things Your Rising Senior Should Do This Summer
- College Admissions: SAT Plagued With Issues
- College Admissions: Why Every Child Should Help Pay for College
- College Admissions: Advice to The Class of 2016 From The Class of 2015
- College Admissions: 6 Last-Minute Summer Ideas for HS Students
- College Admissions: 4 Reasons to Start Your College Applications NOW
- College Admissions: 10 Pieces of Advice for College Freshmen and Their Parents
- College Admissions: 6 Great Summer Reads for College Students (And Their Parents)
- College Admissions: Why Early Action and Decision Matter
- College Admissions: 5 Majors You Need to Choose Before You Apply
- College Admissions: 4 Fall Pennsylvania Roadtrips
- College Admissions: 5 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid
- College Admissions: 5 Most Haunted College Campuses
- College Admissions: Strategies for ADD/ADHD and LD Students
- College Admissions: President Obama’s College Scorecard Rankings
- College Admissions: 4 New England College Roadtrips
- College Admissions: 6 Steps To A Killer College Application
- College Admissions: Why Starting in 9th Grade Matters
- College Admissions: 6 Reasons to Pick a State University
- College Admissions: 5 Reasons to Attend College in Canada
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It