How to Ace the College Admissions Interview

The college admissions interview is something many students are nervous about, but with the proper preparation and the right state of mind, you can do exceptionally well. While all other parts of your college application are fully in your control, the interview is something quite different, a discussion in which you don’t know what to expect. While this scenario may seem daunting, in this blog we will give you all of the information you need to really nail the interview. 

Interview Preparation

Here are some key things you need to do prior to the interview. Make sure not to skip these steps as they are very important.

1. Create Interview Notes

This is the first step for a successful college interview. During the interview, you’re sitting in front of a real person, or a computer screen in front of a real person, being asked questions in real time. However, we can all make mistakes and struggle with answering simple questions or forgetting a leadership activity we did the summer after sophomore year of high school. Having a good note sheet to refer to in an interview (or just before, if it’s in person) can help with those things. But don’t read from your notes, write down a few points you want to make about yourself, such as leadership experiences you want to make note of, examples of adapting to new environments or times when you worked well on a team. These are all the types of things your interviewer would love to hear about.

2. Prepare Questions

Add questions to your interview notes. The interviewer will most likely ask if you have questions about the school, so having around three or four questions will be very important. During the interview, you can ask about the college and the experiences of the interviewer at the school. You can also ask about the traditions of the college, the experiences that the interviewer had on campus. Ask about things that are not on the school’s website, something personal to the interviewer and something practical that shows you are seriously considering the college. It’s important to be genuinely interested in your interviewer’s experience at this school since you may attend. Preparing questions ahead of time will help you make a great  impression.

3. Be Presentable

You want to make a very good impression on your interviewer, and much of that can come from preparing well for the interview. However, it also means looking prepared. You don’t have to go too formal, but wearing business casual or professional shows you care and want to go to that school. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, since that is such an easy way to impress.

The College Admissions Interview

When the time for the interview arrives, make sure to follow the below guidelines.

1. Arrive on Time

Punctuality is key. This one is an absolute must. If you have an in-person interview, get there early. If you have a Zoom interview, enter the waiting room a few minutes early. It shows you’re responsible, and you actually want to be there. Punctuality is actually a great life skill that’s best to start now. So arrive early to your interview and show your interviewer that you’re ready for the rigor of college.

2. Listen Very Attentively

It’s actually not easy to truly listen well in a high-pressure situation such as a college interview. Oftentimes, when having the conversation, you may be tempted to think about the next response while listening to the conversant talk. Try to fully listen to what your interviewer has to say. It’s fine if you have to pause for a few moments to think about the next question if it means that you are listening intently to what your interviewer is saying to you. The interview is a great opportunity to learn about the college you are applying to. Listening intently to your interviewer’s experience can help you assess whether or not the school is a good fit for you. Also, it might even be helpful if you take notes on some of the things that your interviewer says. You may process what they’re saying better when taking notes, and after the interview you can reference what was talked about.  

3. Respond in a Very Thoughtful Manner

Don’t say things because you want to sound intelligent or like the perfect candidate. The perfect candidate for a college does not exist. What colleges are doing in an admissions cycle is putting together a puzzle, which is the student body of the incoming class, by assembling many unique pieces of that puzzle. Thus, the best you can be is you; just be yourself in your interview, which includes being comfortable and talking about yourself in an authentic way. Responding thoughtfully is related to listening well: once you listen well, respond with an answer that integrates what you’ve listened to. Then, ask a follow-up question that builds on something your interviewer said, or ask a question that shows you want to learn more about something that came up. In summary, be a good conversationalist.

Admissions Interview Aftermath

After the college admissions interview is over, the process isn’t finished. Note the below items.

1. Thank the Interviewer

Remember to thank your interviewer. Most interviewers are volunteers from the college, and they chose to help their alma mater. As such, they deserve appreciation for taking some time away from their personal lives to talk to you. Sending a well written thank you note is perfect, especially if you’ve already been in contact with them before the interview via email. Going the extra step to show your appreciation leaves the interviewer feeling good about the interview.

2. Reflect

Once the interview is over, do some reflection. Take some time to review your notes or look up some of the things that the interviewer mentioned, like the activities they did or the department they studied in, to learn more. Consider this in your college decisions. It’s actually a great way to determine if a college is a good fit.

3. Don’t Stress Out

The interview is but one part of the admissions process, so do not dwell on it. College interviews are partly for your benefit, so colleges have good intentions. If a college accepts you and you attend, they’re making a large investment in you, and they want that investment to pay off one day. As such, they want you to enjoy your time on campus and become invested in the community. Colleges want you to make sure they’re a good fit for you just as much as they want to make sure you’re a good fit for them. Remember, during an interview you can learn more about the school and talk with an alum. You have the opportunity to hear about their experience, ask questions, and make a good impression. The interviewer can be incredibly encouraging and helpful during the discussion. 

Closing Thoughts

Every interviewer is different, but know that interviewers are not out to get you. They’re not trying to find flaws that get you rejected or trying to discourage you from thinking that you’re going to get accepted. All they want to do is share their love of their school with someone who is considering attending. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can be more confident that your interview will go well as you highlight your personal qualities. 

To increase the odds of a really great college admission interview, reach out to The College Admissions Experts for a free consultation. They are one of the top educational consulting firms in the country. Their website is collegeadmissionsexperts.com