Preparing for Your College Interview
A college interview is a meeting between you and a representative from the college you’re applying to, like an admissions officer or an alumnus. It's a chance for you to share more about yourself beyond your application and to learn more about the school. You can discuss your interests, goals, and ask questions about the college. The interview helps the school get to know you better and see if you’re a good fit for their community, while also helping you decide if the college is right for you.
Preparing for a college interview is important because it helps you make a great first impression and show that you’re genuinely interested in the school. When you prepare, you can confidently talk about your strengths, achievements, and why you want to attend that college. It also allows you to think about and practice answers to common questions, reducing nervousness. Additionally, preparing thoughtful questions for the interviewer shows that you’ve done your homework and are serious about finding the right fit for your future.
It’s normal to feel nervous about college interviews, but remember that they are also an opportunity for you to learn about the school and for the school to learn about you. The interviewer is not there to intimidate you; they want to get to know you and see if you’ll be a good fit. Be yourself, share your genuine interests, and think of it as a conversation rather than an interrogation. Preparing ahead of time can help you feel more confident and turn the interview into a positive experience.
Here are some common interview questions along with some suggestions for how to prepare for each.
Tips for College Interviews
Be Yourself: Authenticity is key. This is the most important advice from this entire primer. Don’t try to sound like someone you’re not.
Research the College: Understand its programs, culture, and values.
Practice: Rehearse answers but avoid sounding scripted. Try to remember meaningful chunks of information, so you can use them flexibly in conversation.
Stay Positive: Focus on your achievements and what you’ve learned from challenges.
Follow Up: Send a thank-you note expressing appreciation for the opportunity.
Tell me about yourself: A chance to introduce yourself, focusing on your background, interests, and goals.
When a college interviewer asks “Tell me about yourself,” they want to learn about your background, interests, and what makes you unique. They seek insights into your personality, values, and how you might fit into their campus community. They also want to understand your motivations and what drives you. Here are some guidelines as you prepare.
Reflect on Your Story: Consider your key experiences, achievements, and passions. What makes you, you?
Highlight Relevant Details: Focus on aspects that align with the college’s values and programs. Mention academic interests, extracurricular activities, and personal growth.
Structure Your Answer: Start with a brief introduction, followed by your academic background, personal interests, and any significant achievements or experiences. Conclude with why you’re interested in this college.
Why do you want to attend this college? Highlight specific programs, campus culture, or opportunities that attract you.
When a college interviewer asks “Why do you want to attend this college?”, they want to understand your specific interest in their institution. They are looking to see if you’ve done your research, if you understand what makes their college unique, and if your goals and values align with what they offer. This question helps them gauge your commitment and enthusiasm for being part of their community. Here are some guidelines as you prepare.
Research the College: Look into the college’s programs, values, culture, and extracurricular activities. Identify what stands out to you.
Match Your Interests: Relate specific aspects of the college to your academic interests, career goals, and personal values. Mention programs, professors, clubs, or facilities that excite you.
Be Specific and Personal: Explain why these specific features are important to you and how they align with your aspirations. Avoid generic answers.
What are your academic interests? Discuss your favorite subjects and potential majors.
When a college interviewer asks “What are your academic interests?”, they want to understand what subjects or fields you are passionate about and why. They are looking to see if your interests align with the programs and opportunities they offer. Additionally, they want to know how engaged and motivated you are about your academic pursuits. Here are some guidelines as you prepare.
Identify Your Passions: Reflect on the subjects or fields you are most excited about and why they interest you.
Connect to Experiences: Consider specific experiences, projects, or classes that sparked your interest or deepened your passion.
Relate to the College: Research how the college’s programs and resources align with your academic interests. Be specific about how you can pursue your passions there.
How do you spend your free time? Talk about hobbies, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
When a college interviewer asks “How do you spend your free time?”, they want to understand more about your personality, interests, and how you balance academics with personal activities. They are looking for insights into your hobbies, passions, and how you use your time outside of school to develop your skills, pursue interests, or contribute to your community. Here are some guidelines as you prepare.
Reflect on Your Activities: Think about what you genuinely enjoy doing in your free time. Consider hobbies, sports, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and other interests.
Highlight Diverse Interests: Show a range of activities that demonstrate your well-rounded character. Include both solitary and social activities if applicable.
Connect to Skills and Values: Explain how these activities help you develop skills, relieve stress, or align with your values and goals.
Be Honest and Enthusiastic: Be sincere about your interests and convey genuine enthusiasm.
What is your greatest strength/weakness? Be honest and provide examples that demonstrate self-awareness and growth.
When a college interviewer asks about your greatest strength and weakness, they want to gauge your self-awareness, honesty, and capacity for growth. They are interested in how you leverage your strengths and address your weaknesses. This question helps them understand your character, resilience, and how you might fit into their academic and social environment.
Identify Your Strength: Choose a strength that is relevant to both your academic and personal life. Think about qualities that have helped you succeed and make a positive impact.
Select a Realistic Weakness: Pick a genuine weakness but one that is not critical to your success in college. Ensure it is something you are actively working to improve.
Provide Examples: Use specific examples to illustrate both your strengths and weaknesses. Show how your strength has benefited you and how you are addressing your weakness.
Reflect on Growth: Emphasize what you’ve learned from recognizing your weakness and the steps you’re taking to improve. This shows maturity and a willingness to develop.
Describe a challenge you have faced and how you overcame it. Reflect on a personal or academic challenge and your problem-solving skills.
When a college interviewer asks you to describe a challenge you have faced and how you overcame it, they want to understand your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to learn and grow from difficult situations. They are looking for evidence of your determination, adaptability, and how you handle adversity. This question helps them see how you might navigate the challenges you’ll face in college.
Select a Meaningful Challenge: Choose a significant challenge that had a considerable impact on you, either academically or personally.
Describe the Situation: Provide context about the challenge. Explain why it was difficult and what was at stake.
Explain Your Actions: Detail the steps you took to address and overcome the challenge. Focus on your problem-solving strategies and actions.
Reflect on the Outcome: Discuss the results of your efforts. Highlight what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.
How do you plan to contribute to our campus community? Share your intentions to get involved and make an impact.
When a college interviewer asks, “How do you plan to contribute to our campus community?”, they want to know how you will engage with the college beyond academics. They are interested in your potential to enrich the campus through your involvement, leadership, and unique perspectives. They want to see if you have considered how you will integrate into and positively impact their community.
Research Campus Life: Learn about clubs, organizations, volunteer opportunities, and campus events that align with your interests.
Identify Your Strengths: Reflect on your skills, passions, and past experiences that could benefit the college community.
Be Specific: Mention specific groups or activities you want to join or initiatives you’d like to start. Explain how your involvement will make a positive impact.
Show Enthusiasm: Demonstrate genuine excitement about contributing to the college community and making the most of your college experience.
What are your career goals? Outline your aspirations and how the college can help achieve them.
When a college interviewer asks “What are your career goals?”, they want to understand your long-term aspirations and how their institution fits into your plans. They are looking to see if you have a clear vision for your future, how well thought out your goals are, and how their college can help you achieve those goals. This question also helps them assess your motivation and commitment to your chosen path.
Reflect on Your Goals: Think about what you want to achieve in your career. Consider your interests, strengths, and the impact you want to make.
Connect to Your Education: Identify how the programs, resources, and opportunities at the college will help you reach your career goals. Be specific about what the college offers that will support your aspirations.
Be Realistic and Ambitious: Outline attainable goals while also showing ambition and drive. Show that you have a plan and are prepared to work towards it.
Can you tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership? Provide examples from school, work, or extracurricular activities.
When a college interviewer asks, “Can you tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership?”, they want to understand your leadership qualities and how you handle responsibilities. They are interested in seeing how you motivate others, manage challenges, and drive positive outcomes. This question helps them evaluate your ability to take initiative and contribute to the college community.
Select a Relevant Example: Choose a specific instance where you played a key leadership role. This could be from school, extracurricular activities, work, or community service.
Describe the Situation: Provide context about the situation, including what was at stake and why your leadership was needed.
Explain Your Actions: Detail the steps you took to lead, including how you communicated with and motivated others, and the strategies you used to address challenges.
Highlight the Outcome: Discuss the results of your leadership efforts. Emphasize the positive impact you had and any lessons learned.
Do you have any questions for me? Prepare thoughtful questions about the college to show your interest and engagement.
When a college interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”, they are gauging your interest in the college and your preparedness for the interview. This question helps them understand what aspects of the college are important to you and how well you’ve researched their institution. It also provides insight into your priorities and what you value in your college experience.
Research the College: Learn about the college’s programs, culture, and opportunities. Identify areas where you want more information.
Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Develop a list of questions that reflect your genuine interest and align with your academic and personal goals.
Be Specific: Ask about details that are not readily available on the college’s website. Focus on academic programs, campus life, support services, and opportunities for growth.
Show Enthusiasm: Use this opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the college and how well you’ve prepared for the interview.
Remember that your interviewer may not have a great depth of program knowledge about the university. In many cases, universities will enlist alumni in the local community yor region to conduct your interview. Avoid asking questions that can be researched because it gives the impression that you didn’t do your homework and adequately research the university before applying.
Spend some time brainstorming your own list of questions based on your unique situation and interests. Here is a list of some general questions you might want to ask:
What do you enjoy most about being part of this college community?
How has the college changed or evolved since you have been associated with it?
What advice would you give to someone considering attending this college?
How does the college help students balance academics with extracurricular activities?
What are some popular student organizations or activities on campus?
How does the college promote a sense of community among students?
How would you describe the relationship between the college and the surrounding community?
Are there opportunities for students to get involved in the local area?
What do students typically do on weekends?