Campus
Visits & Interviews
Interview Do's
Remember your manners – show up a little early
(10 to 15 minutes early is ideal, there may be forms to fill out so give
yourself extra minutes by arriving early), shake hands, make eye contact,
be well manner and poised, and give complete answers to questions (don’t
answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no”).
Be sure to turn off your cell phone.
This is no time to be shy – the interview is an
opportunity to convince college representatives that you would be a valuable
addition to their college’s student body. Remember to be
yourself; admission officers want to get to know who you really are. Be
mature, honest, confident, friendly, and outgoing. Show interest
in the college and talk freely and passionately about your accomplishments – try
to be yourself. If you try to be someone you’re not, interviewers
will detect you’re faking it and won’t be able to accurately
assess if you’re a good match for the college and may assume you’re
trying to hide something.
If you have some negative experiences that will be obvious
from your application (like a semester of poor grades), you should bring
them up and explain them during the interview, BUT ONLY IF THE NEGATIVE
EXPERIENCES ARE NOT OVERLY PERSONAL (don’t discuss problems with
drug addiction, eating disorders, mental illness, etc.). Remember
to turn every part of the interview into something positive! Never
present yourself in a bad light.
For example, if you have a semester of poor grades due
to a serious family illness, explain that you were distracted by the
serious nature of the illness (perhaps someone in your family was undergoing
chemotherapy), but nonetheless you continued with your difficult coursework
and successfully completed the semester. The following semester’s
grades improved to the level that shows your true capability and enthusiasm
as a student. Overcoming setbacks are learning opportunities that
provide for student personal growth. Again, remember to turn every
part of the interview into something positive that you have done.
Subjects you SHOULD discuss during interviews can include:
Your academic record and accomplishments.
Activities outside of school (community service, hobbies,
jobs, and internships).
Be sure to give examples that support your statements
about accomplishments. For example, if you say you have a lot of leadership
experience, provide specific experience such as, “I have been class
Vice President, helped organize the regional Junior Statesmen of America
convention, led the swim team as a co-captain, etc.)
Give admission officers reasons to admit you to their
college. Tie together your strengths as a person, student, and
community volunteer – show how much of a value you will bring to
that college if admitted.
If you have earned impressive grades and your student
résumé looks great, at the end of the interview, give copies
of your grade transcripts and your student résumé to the
person interviewing you. Tell them you would like to provide a
copy of your transcript and student résumé in consideration
of you as a future college applicant. This will leave a strong,
positive impression.
Dress and etiquette Do’s:
Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Put your sunglasses away, don’t wear them on top of your head or
around your neck.
Turn off and put away all electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, video
games, etc.).
Wait to be offered a chair before sitting.
Make sure your shoes are not scuffed and your clothes aren’t wrinkled.
Dress conservatively. Don’t wear any ripped clothing or low-cut
tops.
Prepare and practice answers for the common most interview questions.
Make eye contact with your interviewers.
Shake hands with your interviewer when you meet him/her and when your
interview is finished (and you’re leaving the room).
Address your interviewer by their title and name (Mr. or Ms. Jones or
Dr. Jones).
Finish the interview by expressing your interest in the school. |
