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.
Mastering The College Interview
The Facts
Stop Everything!
It's Your Child's Senior Year.
4 Very Important College Application Facts Every Parent Should Know.
To get accepted to the top colleges and universities, the application that your child sends out must represent a student who appeals to the admission staff at the particular college or university of your choice. These are the all-important people who decide if your child is a “good match” for their campus community.
Your child’s application will be one of thousands. Every detail about his application must distinguish it from the others.
Your child’s application must be impressive and show that your child is impressive as well.
Each application is reviewed very quickly; and will get only “one shot” to receive the coveted letter of "Congratulations."
If you are wondering if your child is a candidate for our program, take 'The Quiz' for parents now!
The Goal
The goal in working with Lily Trayes is to win a "Congratulations!" letter from the college of your dreams.
Lily Trayes, founder and director of Ivy League Placement, is an accomplished NYC Ivy League College Admissions Counselor who has helped hundreds of students create winning college applications. 
As a highly successful college advisor since 1995, Lily has counseled students on both coasts and many international clients. The students that she takes under her wing continue to break all records with admissions to all of the eight Ivy League Universities each year.
Students come away from brainstorming sessions with Ms. Trayes, beaming with enthusiasm. She builds the self-confidence of each student and energizes them to recognize their talents and abilities. Thus each student learns how to translate these skills in a number of successful venues to the colleges.
By drawing the attention of the Admissions Departments to the important elements in the student’s application, Lily Trayes commands a high success ratio making the Goal of opening the coveted "Congratulations!" letter from the college of your choice a dream come true.
The Promise
Lily Trayes is your own personal Ivy League college admissions advisor and mentor. As the founder of Ivy League Placement, Lily Trayes will:
Work one-on-one with the student by e-mail, telephone conferencing and/or office meetings.
Motivate each student on the importance of editing, rewriting and refinement of each segment of the application.
Work closely with each student to set deadlines for every element of the application.
Provide complete college application creation and design.
Create an effective and results-producing presentation of both the résumé and supporting materials.
Meet all deadlines for college applications including Early Decision & Regular Decisions.
Offer timing and insightful recommendations on the submission of SAT scores.
Review and oversee each application thoroughly before it is mailed.
Coordinate the compilation of all materials for the final application package.
Oversee and monitor the delivery of each application, including proof of mailing and receipt by the colleges and universities.
And be available to share the joy when the acceptance letters arrive.
The Assurance
Every facet of your child’s college application along with its supporting materials will represent your child to his best advantage.
The individually tailored college application package will reflect the student’s best all-out effort.
Each application will indicate a strong “show of interest” for each college and university.
Essays, both long and short, will be interesting, engaging, and thought-provoking. They will include intellectual flavor and will show insight and knowledge about the particular college or university.
Lily Trayes will work one-on-one with the student by e-mail, telephone, video conferencing and/or office meetings.
Lily Trays will motivate and counsel each student on the importance of editing, rewriting and the refinement of each segment of the application.
By working closely with each student deadlines will be set for every element of the application process.
The Method
Ivy League Placement Facilitate The College Acceptance Process by:
Creating a winning College Application Package.
Capturing the interest and imagination of the college admissions staff.
Crafting and writing a personal essay that “jumps off the page”.
Formatting and designing a distinguishing résumé that illuminates your child’s talents and personality.
Finding strong and creative supporting material specific to your child.
Coordinating and overseeing every element of the final application package.
Building a relationship with the admissions office.
Building relationships with professors and current students on the college campus.
Successful interviewing techniques for both on campus and alum interviews.
Proposing creative ideas on how to “stand out” when meeting college representatives.
Teaching techniques to stay “alive” in the admissions office from the time of mailing until the decisions are final.
The Early Decision Dilemma
"Why not go out on a limb, that’s where all the fruit is." Mark Twain
"So, before your child climbs out onto a limb, let’s be sure they select the best tree. Then let’s do everything it takes to reap the fruitful rewards your child deserves. While the early decision process is risky, the odds are in your child’s favor with an outstanding application!" Lily Trayes
In the case of Early Decision, a student may find it difficult to declare to parents and a guidance counselor their decision to “go out on a limb.” The college application process demands risk-taking. It takes great courage to place your one application in a competitive Early Decision pool of perhaps 2,300 qualified and competing students. A student may say, “I’m applying Early Decision to Dartmouth College. I know I don’t stand a chance, but I’ve always wanted to go there, so I'll apply and see what happens.”
This student begins to visualize being on the Dartmouth College campus, attending classes and participating in the university lifestyle. By the time the results of Early Decision come out in mid-December, this student truly believes in his chances of being admitted and anxiously awaits a letter of “Congratulations!”
"So, before your child climbs out onto a limb, let’s be sure they select the best tree. Then let’s do everything it takes to reap the fruitful rewards your child deserves!" Lily Trayes
The Praise From Happy Clients
Barnard College
2007 Thank you for having so much patience with me! You made applications enjoyable and you made me believe in my abilities!
Brown University
2010 I LOVE Brown. I pinch myself to believe I am really here. I have awesome professors and the students are so friendly.
2009 My dream came true. It could never have happened without you. 
Columbia University
2012 We did it Ms. Trayes! All the way from Paris to New York. I'm so happy I will be going to Columbia in the Fall.
2011 Lily, you are my angel. You are my Mother Theresa. It’s all thanks to you.
2007 How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for our daughter. I don’t think you realize how much your belief in her meant to her and how much it motivated her and actually got her to believe in herself. You truly made a difference.
Dartmouth College
2012 Thanks, Ms. Trayes. I’m choosing Dartmouth.
And, I’m still on the Wait List at Yale!
2006 Thank you for everything you have done to help me get through this process. You have been amazing – honest and blunt, but still hopeful and reassuring. You not only put hours into my future, but you also poured your heart into my dreams. Thank you for playing such an integral role in all my college acceptances.
Emory University
2012 MANY, MANY THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSS to you for pushing Nicolas to do the Early Decision #2 which we had never heard about. I am a happy mother today thanks to you and due to your excellent advice.
Harvard University
2007 Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me over the past year. From helping me revise my essays a thousand times and calming me down in an application crises, you have always been warm and patient. Thank you for your advice and encouragement, and for helping me to dream big!
MIT
2011 Thank you for your amazing advice.
Princeton University
2012 Thank you for helping Chloe shoot for the stars. This is a "pure" thrill, joy, and happiness for our family.
2011 Wow. Thank you for all your help. I never thought it would be Princeton. I went to accepted students weekend and I totally love Princeton.
2008 We are profoundly grateful for the faith you had in our daughter and for all the calm and good cheer you lent to a process that might otherwise have been fraught with tension and angst. Your encouragement and support and the hard work we know you put into the process will never be forgotten.
Stanford University
2012 I thought it might be MIT, but I never thought it would be Stanford, MIT and Columbia!
Trinity College
2008 You were the one to guide and hold his hand all the way and assure us he would be a good candidate for Trinity. As you know, his school did not even want him to apply there. This will make a world of difference to Adam’s future.
Tuffs University
2012 I have been so lucky that you shared your outstanding experience to get me into U.S. colleges. I will never forget your enthusiasm, your sense of humor and your encouragement.
2012 Camille received seven "Yes" letters!!! Especially the Big envelope from Camille’s first choice Tuffs.
University of Chicago
2008 I would like to express my gratitude for all the help and advice you have given our son during the grueling college application process. It is largely due to your tenacity and dedication that he has been accepted at the University of Chicago.
University of Pennsylvania
2011 Thank you for doing everything I know you did to get me into not only UPenn but also into Huntsman. I don’t think I ever could have done it without you, and I’m sure you did so much more behind the scenes to push my entry. I can’t find the words to express the joy and the gratitude that I feel right now.
2011 I want you to know how grateful we are that you helped me so much all the way from New York!
Wellesley College
2010 Thank you so much for helping me realize that Wellesley has everything I wanted in a college. The classes are amazing. I am soooooo happy.
Yale University
2010 Our deepest thanks for your advice and guidance all along this past year. You have played a pivotal role in our daughter’s life.
2009 Thank you for all the “hand-wringing” and hard work you’ve gone through this year on behalf of our child.
