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