| Although it is relatively rare that a personal interview | | | | that they are ones that matter to you. The |
| is required, many colleges recommend that you take | | | | questions that you ask will give the interviewer some |
| this opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with a | | | | insight into your personality and priorities. Avoid |
| member of the admissions staff. Read through the | | | | asking questions that can be answered in the college |
| application materials to determine whether or not a | | | | literature - again, a sign of being unprepared. Although |
| college places great emphasis on the interview. If | | | | the interviewer will undoubtedly pose questions to |
| they strongly recommend that you have one, it may | | | | you, the interview should not be viewed merely as a |
| work against you to forego it. In contrast to a group | | | | question-and-answer session. If a conversation |
| interview and some alumni interviews, the personal | | | | evolves out of a particular question, so much the |
| interview is viewed both as an information session | | | | better. |
| and as further evaluation of your skills and strengths. | | | | Be Yourself |
| You will meet with a member of the admissions | | | | In the end, remember to relax and be yourself. Don't |
| staff, who will be assessing your personal qualities, | | | | drink jitters-producing caffeinated beverages prior to |
| high school preparation, and capacity to contribute to | | | | the interview, and suppress nervous fidgets like |
| undergraduate life at the institution. On average, | | | | leg-wagging, finger-drumming, or bracelet-jangling. |
| these meetings last about 45 minutes - a relatively | | | | Your interviewer will expect you to be somewhat |
| short amount of time in which to gather information | | | | nervous, which will relieve some of the pressure. |
| and leave the desired impression - so here are some | | | | Consider this an opportunity to put forth your best |
| suggestions on how to make the most of it. | | | | effort and to enhance everything that the college |
| Scheduling Your Visit | | | | knows about you up to this point. |
| Students usually choose to visit campuses in the | | | | CHECKLIST |
| summer or fall of their senior year. Both times have | | | | Here are some questions you may be asked in your |
| their advantages. A summer visit generally allows for | | | | interview: |
| a less hectic visit and interview. Visiting in the fall, on | | | | What courses have been most difficult for you? |
| the other hand, provides the opportunity to see | | | | How would you describe your high school? |
| what campus life is like in full swing. Always make an | | | | If you could change one thing about your high school, |
| appointment and avoid scheduling more than two | | | | what would it be? |
| college interviews on any given day. Multiple | | | | What do you do in your spare time? |
| interviews in a single day hinder your chances of | | | | What do you want to know about our activities? |
| making a good impression, and your impressions of | | | | Have you worked up to your potential? |
| the colleges will blur into each other as you make | | | | What other colleges are you considering? |
| your way from campus to campus. | | | | What do you expect to be doing seven years from |
| Preparation | | | | now? |
| Know the basics about the college before going for | | | | Have you ever thought of not going to college? |
| your interview. Read the college catalog. You will be | | | | What would you do? |
| better prepared to ask questions that are not | | | | Here are some questions you may want to ask |
| answered in the literature and that will give you a | | | | during your interview. |
| better understanding of what the college has to | | | | How do you treat AP scores? |
| offer. You should also spend some time thinking | | | | Is there a limit on the number of AP credits you will |
| about your strengths and weaknesses and, in | | | | give? |
| particular, what you are looking for in a college | | | | How do you match roommates? |
| education. You will find that as you get a few | | | | What new offerings are there in my major? |
| interviews under your belt, they will get easier. | | | | Is there an opportunity for me to design my own |
| Asking Questions | | | | major? |
| Inevitably, your interviewer will ask you, "Do you | | | | Are there any new buildings being planned? |
| have any questions?" Not having one may suggest | | | | How does student advisement work? |
| that you're unprepared or, even worse, not | | | | What is your system for course selection? |
| interested. When you do ask questions, make sure | | | | |