Mastering The College Interview

THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW IS A CONVERSATION:
The College Interview should be thought of as a conversation. A conversation is less intimidating and you want to feel comfortable and at ease.

The reason I like the word conversation is that you must be able to ask some delving questions during the interview showing that you have put some thought and intention into selecting this particular college.

The word conversation has the Latin prefix, con. Translated it means “with”, so to converse is to speak with another person. A good conversation is like a tennis match, moving back and forth. There is a rhythm; a give and take.

Thinking of your College Interview as a conversation should put you at ease and let your confidence level rise. Make sure to practice shaking hands and practice announcing your name with a smile.

Bill Gates says when a job candidate walks into his office, he can tell in the first 20seconds, if he is going to hire them. This is why you must show self confidence, smile, shake hands firmly and let the conversation begin.

BE POSITIVE:
The person who is conducting the interview will usually start out asking you some questions perhaps about your school and where you live. It is very important to give positive feedback at all times. Never say anything disparaging about your school or any teacher. Being an ambassador for your school will make you appear like a future ambassador for your college. For instance, if your school doesn’t offer AP courses, explain that this makes the curriculum more creative because the teacher can discuss pertinent current events and doesn’t have to hurry through the classes so you will score well on the AP exam.

ASK THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS:
Some questions you might like to ask are, “Is it possible to double major in Music and Mathematics (or your two primary interests)? I saw that there is a Musicology/Ethnomusicology major; this sounds amazing.” Or, “I know I will work hard on my studies at Emory; will there be enough time to get to know other people in clubs or intramural sports?” Try to avoid asking a question that could be found readily on their website.

COMMUNICATE YOUR INTEREST:
Show that you have done your research. Explain that when you were on their website, you discovered a number of classes that made you wish you could start college right now. Mention the titles of these classes. One student who wants to be a veterinarian told his admissions interviewer that he thought the course, ANSC 2650 Equine Biology and Management made him want to attend Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

BE PREPARED:
The interviewer will also ask more specific questions such as, "What interests you about our college?" or “Do you have an academic goal or a plan to major in any particular subject?” If your interest is business you need to be sure that the college you are interviewing for offers business programs and classes. If they do not, then express an interest in the economics or finance major they do offer. For instance, be sure that you know that Boston University offers a major in Communications; and make sure you know that Tufts University does not offer that major.

DRESS FOR A POSITIVE IMPRESSION:

One Admissions person always remembers a girl from Paris by the crisp blue and white sailor dress she wore for her interview.

Presenting yourself well is part of the College Interview. Do not dress too casually or too formally. Look squeaky clean and casual in school clothes. On campus you don't want to look over-dressed. Girls can wear a dress that is in fashion. Guys can wear khaki pants with a great tee shirt or sweater. Wear clean sneakers or new shoes that are appropriate and comfortable.


CAMPUS INTERVIEWS:
Campus Interviews are held in the college admissions office on campus. On some campuses, the interviewer may be a current student. Be careful to project the same persona to this young person as you would to an official college admissions person. You will most likely be more relaxed with this young person; but do not assume that you can speak and act too casually.

The purpose of the Campus Interview is for you to project the fact that you are aware that four years of college is about scholarship and discovering other intellectual pursuits.

At Brown University, in an admissions information session, the speaker said that when he walks around Brown’s campus he can feel the “buzz” from the students. ”These scholars are thinking!” He then said, “We’re looking for students with the “buzz.” The “buzz” means charisma, intensity, seriousness and diligent focus. Think of yourself as a scholar, one who wants to know more; one who is intellectually inquisitive and yet, one who can smile with enthusiasm and be animated and excited about this college.

LOCAL INTERVIEWS:
Local Interviews are held in your local area where you will meet with one of the college’s alumni, usually at their office or a coffee shop in the late afternoon after your school day.

Remember to be relaxed, get into the conversation mode and ask questions. It is perfectly fine to ask the alumni interviewer if they attended this university. With an alumni interviewer, you can also ask, “What did you major in? Did you ever change majors? Did your major in college help you with the job you have now?

In both College Interview situations it is a good idea to bring a folder with your résumé. Your résumé can serve as an ice breaker with the other person. They may want to comment and ask you about your trip to Thailand or your work with Habitat for Humanity. Also, if you have a hobby such as a 3-D graphic artist, bring some of your images.

THE MOCK COLLEGE INTERVIEW:
Ivy League Placement always prepares students for the College Interview by creating and enacting a Mock College Interview with them. I play the role of the interviewer and the student gets a chance to practice the interviewing techniques we have been working on. Standing up immediately when called into the office, smiling, making strong eye contact and offering a firm handshake as they say their name are some of the personal cues we develop until they become natural. Students of Ivy League Placement practice these courtesy introductions until they become automatic and comfortable.