| Should students with learning disabilities opt for an | | | | and collect yourself. Do deep breathing exercises to |
| interview in the college application process? The | | | | relax. |
| answer to that is, "It depends." If you are highly | | | | 7. Give the interviewer a firm handshake. |
| verbal and are a stronger candidate in person than on | | | | 8. Treat the interview as a conversation with |
| paper, the answer is yes. If speaking is not your | | | | someone who wants to accept you. Look the |
| forte, and you fear you will diminish your chances | | | | interviewer in the eye. Do not use any "off-color" |
| with an interview, the answer is no. If you do decide | | | | words! |
| to request an interview, however, it is essential to | | | | 9. You don't have to have an immediate answer to a |
| prepare. The list below should help you. | | | | question. It's fine to take a moment to think. Do not |
| 1. Start by researching the college on the internet or | | | | answer with a simply "yes" or "no". |
| from materials they have sent you. Walk into the | | | | 10. To show interest in the school, have questions |
| interview knowing as much as possible about the | | | | prepared for the interviewer. |
| school. When you ask the interviewer questions, | | | | 11. You have always been told not to brag, but it is |
| make sure they are not in the above materials, or it | | | | appropriate to talk about your proudest |
| will appear as if you didn't research the school | | | | accomplishments with an interviewer. Be prepared if |
| thoroughly. | | | | the interviewer asks you about your weaknesses. |
| 2. Review your essay because you may be asked | | | | Couch them in a positive light,such as: "My auditory |
| questions about it. | | | | learning is weak, but I compensate by having a note |
| 3. Rehearse at home. Have your parents ask you | | | | taker and working really hard." |
| questions. Try to be natural; don't memorize your | | | | 12. Quickly follow up with a brief thank-you note to |
| answers, or you'll come off robotically. You want the | | | | the interviewer (not an e-mail), mentioning something |
| interviewer to see your personality. | | | | you discussed, so the interviewer can recall who you |
| 4. Males should wear khakis or dress pants and a | | | | are. |
| pressed shirt; a tie is optional. Females,wear a nice | | | | As relaxed as you may want to appear at an |
| pants outfit, blouse and skirt, or a dress with very | | | | interview, you need to put in a lot of prep time to |
| little jewelry. Both genders: DO NOT CHEW GUM! | | | | really feel at ease. If you do your homework and |
| 5. Take your documentation with you in case you | | | | practice "mock" interviews with your parents or |
| need it. | | | | friends, you should be comfortable when the time for |
| 6. Be early for the interview, so you have time to sit | | | | the real interview rolls around. |