THE ROAD TO COLLEGE
A ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
#8 of 20: April, Part Two

An in-person interview with an admissions officer enables you to get personalized answers – and the college to know you.

by Martha Green Quirk, M.A.

Now that you’ve decided to visit a college, are you required to have a personal interview with an admissions officer? No, of course not. However, it’s to your advantage to have an interview for two reasons: you’ll learn lots more about the college and whether you “fit” there, and you’ll give the admissions interviewer a chance to get to know you.

Many highly selective colleges give on-campus interviews only until December. Be sure you have arranged for your campus visit and interview well in advance.

Once you have an appointment, it’s critical that you be on time for your interview—10 minutes early! You don’t want to start the interview out of breath or apologizing for being late.

When you meet your interviewer, stand up, look him or her in the eye, introduce yourself, and firmly shake hands. If your parents are with you, introduce yourself, and then introduce your parents. You’ll remember your interviewer’s name if you repeat it at least once during your interview.

Do not, however, encourage your parents to come into the interview with you. This is a time for you to ask and answer questions on your own. If your parents have questions, most admissions officers are happy to meet with them after your appointment.

How to prepare

Your interview is a dialogue between you and your interviewer, not an inquisition! Give some serious thought beforehand to questions you would like to ask. Remember to visit the college’s website prior to your visit. You’ll have a better interview if you are prepared with questions and have some knowledge of the school.

The interview is your chance to ask about a particular academic interest you have, to discuss problems you may have had with your high school course schedule, to better inform the college about your home life, and to bring to the attention of your interviewer your special skills, interests, and abilities.

This is a time for you to talk about yourself, so be prepared to do so. Some interviewers will expect you to initiate topics of discussion and carry half of the conversation.

Here are some sample questions to get you started:

• What makes this college (or university) unique or distinctive?
• Can I get involved in research projects with a professor?
• What kind of honors programs are available for freshmen?
• Who teaches the classes? Full-time professors, adjunct professors, or graduate students (teaching assistants)?
• What do students normally do on weekends? What is social life like on campus?
• What are the opportunities and requirements to study abroad?
• What percentage of your students enter graduate school immediately after graduation?

Don’t be afraid to talk openly about your accomplishments — not in a bragging way, but in an informative, confident manner. But don’t oversell yourself, either. This is not the time to impress your interviewer with your family’s lineage or whom you know.

Bring an unofficial copy of your high school transcript to your interview, and have it available if you are asked for it. Don’t give excuses for poor performance in high school. But if there were truly extraordinary circumstances (for example, a grandparent’s death, divorce of parents, or other critically serious situation) that impacted your performance, let the interviewer know. Anything less than that will be viewed unfavorably as an excuse.

This visit and interview will be a good time for you to obtain information to help you determine whether this school should be one of your top college choices!

Your interviewer wants to get to know you as much as you want to get to know the college. He or she will ask questions to help him or her determine your qualification to be admitted, what you would bring to the college, and your readiness and maturity to pursue a college degree.

Interview questions you may be asked

Some of these questions could be asked of you in an interview. It wouldn’t hurt to think about them and practice answering these questions orally before you have your in-person interviews.

• Why are you considering this college?
• What makes our college different from others you’re considering?
• What will you contribute to this campus?
• What would you like for me to know about you?
• What do you think your strengths are? Your shortcomings?
• What do you like best about yourself?
• If you could tell me just one significant thing that has happened to you during high school, what would that be? 

What should you wear?

Dress appropriately and comfortably for your interview. Casual (not sloppy) dress is acceptable. Depending on the school, slacks and a shirt or a skirt or pants and a blouse is usually more appropriate than jeans or shorts and t-shirts.

Write a thank-you note

Following your visit and interview, it’s a good idea to write a personal thank-you note to your interviewer. Be sure to ask for the interviewer’s business card before you leave campus. Even if it’s just an email thank you, the recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

A thank-you note may be a good way to distinguish yourself from other equally qualified candidates. Although writing a note won’t get you into college, it will make a positive impression that may carry over into the admissions decision.

 

Martha Green Quirk, M.A., has been active in the college admissions field for over 30 years. In 2008 she founded her own independent educational consulting company, College Admissions Consulting (CAC), in St. Louis, Missouri. She is an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC).

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