Campus
Visits & Interviews
The Most Common Interview Mistakes
The most common mistakes make by students during admission
interviews are:
Not being prepared. There’s no excuse for
not being ready to answer basic questions you know will be asked, such
as, “Why do you want to come to this college?” and “Tell
me about yourself.”
Not having school-specific questions or interests. You
need to show real demonstrated interest in each school you interview
with. College admission officers are placing more and more importance
on the interest students demonstrate in interviews and on their applications. Do
research (campus-interviews-b) before you interview to be able to
express your school-specific knowledge and interest to admission officers
and professors. During interviews, show you are trying to envision
yourself as a full-time student at that college or university.
Being overconfident. It’s good to be confident
and well-spoken, but overconfidence conveys the message that you’re “too
good” for a certain college or university and that you don’t
have to work hard to be accepted.
Appearing disinterested or bored. Again, college
admission officers want to see demonstrated interest and enthusiasm from
students. If you look bored and ready to leave the interview, the
admission officer will think you’re not interested in attending
that school.
Showing a sloppy, neglected appearance. Take the
time to look neat and well-groomed. Plan ahead and choose the clothes
you will wear; even if you wear casual clothes, there’s no excuse
for looking sloppy.
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