| We knew it was him. Our little interviewee. We | | | | For off-campus interviews, the location is highly |
| could tell by the determined gait, the furrowed brow, | | | | variable. Some alums will ask the student to come to |
| and the tiny junior high school tie on 275 pounds | | | | his/her workplace. Others like to meet students in |
| of high school linebacker. The Admissions Mavens | | | | public locations such as public libraries or a local coffee |
| love interviewing for their alma maters because | | | | shop. Some alumnae/i will try to schedule the |
| meeting kids on the cusp of a huge milestone in their | | | | interview at the student's school. |
| lives is truly exhilarating and keeps us young! Did | | | | 5. How long will the interview take? |
| you go on an interview as part of your college | | | | This varies from interviewer to interviewer. S/he will |
| application process? If you applied to public | | | | let you know how long it will be. Most interviews do |
| universities, you probably didn't. If you applied to | | | | not exceed one hour. |
| some private colleges, the chances are good that | | | | 6. How do I set up the interview? |
| you interviewed at a few schools. Wanna know | | | | For some schools, you must request an interview. |
| how the Admissions Mavens feel about the college | | | | For others, a school representative will contact you. |
| interview? We like it. It doesn't really have too | | | | You should check the specifics of the process on |
| much weight in the application process for the most | | | | each school's website. Please remember that the |
| part, but we like it. Why? It's good practice for | | | | interview starts with the first point of contact with |
| job interviews -- it's a life skill. You will only get | | | | the interviewer. That could be in-person or by email |
| better with practice, and in most cases, the college | | | | or telephone. Be polite and try to accommodate the |
| interview is low-stakes. Below are some helpful | | | | interviewer's schedule, if possible. Proofread your |
| hints about the college interview. If you get nothing | | | | e-mails and use regular English – not text |
| else from the information, please remember to SMILE | | | | messaging abbreviations. |
| and ENUNCIATE and SMILE again. | | | | 7. "Why us?" |
| The best college interviews are easy, engaging, and | | | | You will be asked why you chose to apply to that |
| natural conversations where you can express your | | | | particular school. Interviewers like to know that you |
| personality, intellectual curiosity and interests. Most | | | | have a genuine interest in the college that they |
| interviewers just want to get to know you beyond | | | | represent because for the most part – they love |
| the four corners of your application. They want to | | | | their school! Many alumnae/i take it very personally if |
| know if you would make a good roommate or | | | | a student does not have at least a general familiarity |
| pleasant company in the dining halls. They want to | | | | with their beloved alma mater. You can exhibit your |
| know if you would make an active and positive | | | | courtesy and interest by doing your research and |
| contribution to the college community. Just be the | | | | asking specific and relevant questions. |
| most confident and most mature version of your | | | | 8. Other potential questions that the interviewer may |
| authentic self, and you'll have a successful interview. | | | | ask include:a. What good books have you read |
| 1. Do all colleges require an interview? | | | | lately?b. What plans do you have for the summer?c. |
| Not all colleges make the interview part of the | | | | What majors interest you?d. What did you like best |
| admissions process. Large public universities such as | | | | least about high school?e. What classes did you like |
| the Cal State and the University of California schools | | | | the best/least?f. What are your passions?g. How |
| do not require interviews. | | | | would your friends describe you?h. What are your |
| Private universities with large and active alumni | | | | strengths/weaknesses?i. What are some significant |
| communities such as Dartmouth, Harvard and Tufts | | | | experiences in your life that have affected your |
| make the interview an important part of the | | | | educational journey?j. What extracurricular activity |
| application process. Once a student has submitted her | | | | was your favorite?k. What have been the biggest |
| application to these schools, an alum in her area will | | | | disappointments in your high school career?l. What |
| contact the student to set up an interview. For such | | | | are your hobbies and outside interests?m. What is |
| schools, the interview is officially "optional". However, | | | | your opinion regarding a particular current event? |
| if an alumni interview is offered to you, it is a very | | | | Please note that these are all open ended questions |
| good idea to accept the interview. | | | | that require elaboration and explanation. Don't just list |
| Small and very innovative schools such as Hampshire | | | | your favorite classes or hobbies. Be prepared to say |
| College also strongly recommend interviews for | | | | WHY they are your favorite classes or hobbies. |
| applicants, in part to ensure that the student is well | | | | What if you are asked a question that you can't |
| suited to their unique perspectives and programs. Like | | | | answer? It is important to keep in mind that |
| many small schools, Hampshire College offers both | | | | sometimes interviewers ask questions not just for |
| on-campus and off-campus interviews. Students who | | | | your answer but also to see how you act under |
| cannot visit the college for an on-campus interview | | | | pressure when you don't know what to say. If you |
| should request an off-campus interview from the | | | | don't know how to respond to a question, just stay |
| admissions office. Other examples of liberal arts | | | | calm and be honest. One great way to respond |
| colleges that recommend interviews are Smith, | | | | would be to say, "I don't have enough information to |
| Occidental, and Mt. Holyoke. | | | | give you an informed opinion. Can you point me to |
| Pitzer College offers a very unusual alternative to the | | | | some resources where I can find out more |
| traditional interview by allowing students to upload a | | | | information about this?" |
| video interview of themselves answering Pitzer's | | | | 9. "Do you have any questions for me?" |
| questions via a service called If a school to which you | | | | This is a very common question that interviewers |
| are applying uses the service, it will be noted in the | | | | ask. Have some questions in mind that you can ask |
| school's Supplement section in the Common | | | | the interviewer. You always ask the interviewer |
| Application. | | | | about his/her undergraduate experience. |
| The bottom line is that colleges handle the interview | | | | 10. Is there something that you would like to convey |
| process in many different ways. It is important for | | | | to the interviewer that might not have been included |
| you to familiarize yourself with the individual policies | | | | in your application? |
| of the schools on your college list. | | | | This could include some awards or honors or sports |
| 2. How does an interview affect my chances of | | | | victories that you have achieved after you submitted |
| admission? | | | | your application. This could be some activity or cause |
| In general, a good interview is a helpful addition to | | | | that you care deeply about. Be sure to let your |
| your application to some degree. A positive interview | | | | interviewer know so that he/she can include it in his |
| is most helpful to those students who are on the | | | | her report to the school. |
| cusp of admission. A great interview, however, will | | | | 11. The little things that mean a lot:a. If you are on |
| not override a poor performance in your classes. A | | | | time, you're late. Be 5 minutes early. Bring a book and |
| poor interview performance will not destroy your | | | | read it while you wait.b. Don't bring your parents to |
| chances of admission and cancel out 3-4 years of | | | | the interview.c. Dress neatly and modestly. Dress in a |
| your hard work in high school. Keep in mind that the | | | | clean cut way so that YOU, not your outfit, stand |
| interview is as much about the college's marketing | | | | out.d. Every interview should begin and end with: EYE |
| and recruiting efforts as it is a means of getting to | | | | CONTACT, FIRM HANDSHAKE, SMILE, SAY THANK |
| know you. | | | | YOU.e. A handwritten thank you note is the best |
| 3. Who will be interviewing me? | | | | way to convey your gratitude and your interest. |
| If you are interviewing on-campus, you will mostly | | | | A good interview can be a helpful addition to your |
| likely be interviewed by an admissions officer. You | | | | application. A bad interview is not the end of the |
| may even be interviewed by a student employee of | | | | world or the death of your chances of admission. |
| the admissions office. If you are interviewing | | | | Like many of the skills that you will gain during your |
| off-campus and in your local area, you will most likely | | | | college admissions journey, good interviewing is an |
| be interviewed by an alum who lives in your area. | | | | important life skill, and you will get better with |
| 4. Where will the interview take place? | | | | practice and time. GOOD LUCK! |