Preparing for College (or Any Other) Interviews
Now that many early applications have been submitted, it’s time to start preparing for interviews. Interviews may be administered by alumni, by admissions officers, or by others, but will all have the same purpose: to learn what’s not on your application.
What kinds of questions will you see? How can you prepare? What else can you do to improve your chances? I’ll give some simple suggestions that can significantly improve your interview.
Much of the information here comes from doing alumni interviews for Brown University, as well as from talking to admissions officers, guidance counselor, and career coaches.
I want to acknowledge that some of these expectations are culturally problematic, at best. These suggestions are based on my own personal experiences in academic and professional settings, but are not necessarily correct or better than any other option. The goal of an interview is often to give the interviewer what they want, so you might be able to make that easier on yourself by following the advice below, without being inauthentic to yourself. Please email me with suggestions on how to improve.
As an added bonus, these strategies can help you for any interview, not just college ones.
Practice in the mirror. You will sound more confident and your answers will be more confident if you’ve practiced them.
Prepare for the big questions. The admissions officers want to know a few big things:
You’re actually interested in that school and didn’t just check another box on the Common App.
You have something to contribute to the school.
You will take advantage of what this school or program, in particular, has to offer.
Your application accurately represents you and you didn’t lie/exaggerate/etc.
The best way to prepare to answer these questions is to do your research and be ready to speak highly of yourself. Show that you’ve paid special attention to this school. Read everything you can on the school’s website. Look up course guide and program requirements. Be prepared to share specific examples, such as how you’re excited that this school has such well-rounded requirements like both advanced theoretical physics and basketweaving. Avoid generic answers like how excited you are to go to a school with such a good academic reputation.
Prepare for the little questions. Interviewers often ask “fun” questions to try to get to know you better, but remember, they are still trying to find out if you’re a good match for their school. Practice answers that show off your strengths. You might see questions such as: What is your favorite book? Whom is someone you admire? What is your biggest strength? What is your biggest weakness?
Practice speaking highly of yourself. It’s uncomfortable, I know. You’ve spent years being told not to brag. This is your chance to brag. Think of reasons they should admit you to their school. Think of what your friends or teachers would say about you if asked. Then, practice saying these things in the mirror until it feels natural (or, at least until you look like it feels natural).
Look “professional”. While everyone has a different definition of professional, there are a few general tips that can help in almost any interview situation. Dress according to your grandmother’s definition of professional. A suit is always best, but if you don’t have a suit (many high school students do not), a synagogue or church outfit works. Avoid anything that requires a lot of adjusting. Double-check in the mirror to make sure your clothes aren’t wrinkled or see-through. Make sure you’re comfortable enough that you won’t be squirming or adjusting your hair/clothes the entire time.
Prepare for hiccups. Not literally hiccups, although that’s always a possibility. Things are strange right now and the interview format may be new for everyone involved, including the interviewer. Plan extra time to get your computer set up for a Zoom interview and practice your router-resetting strategy. Make sure your outfit works from the shoulders up. Make sure you have a plain background (I recommend sitting at a table in front of a blank wall) and stack a sturdy textbook or two under your computer so the camera isn’t looking up at you. Expect that you might have to repeat yourself once or twice or ask the interviewer to repeat themselves. Oh, and keep yourself muted when you’re not speaking.
Be confident. Not only are they interviewing you, you’re interviewing them as well. You know you’re awesome and want to make sure they’re awesome enough for you (even if you don’t know this or feel this, pretend you do). You’ve practiced all your answers.