School Admissions Interview: Dos and Don’ts

For secondary school students, the next 2 months will be the height of college interview season. The meeting is an extraordinary chance to show the confirmation office something about you that they won’t find in your application.

Here are a few rules and regulations to pro your school interview:

Determine the type of interview the school conducts: evaluative or informative. In the assessment interview, your performance will contribute to whether you are hired. In the informational interview, you have the opportunity to learn more about the college, while the college learns a little more about you. Most graduate interviews tend to be informational, while an admissions interview is evaluative.
Come soon. If you are meeting virtually, check-in 2-3 minutes early. Come 5-10 minutes early for the personal interview.

Dress appropriately. Wear business casual clothes. That means no sweatshirts or t-shirts.
Find out what you want to talk about. Almost all conversations start with the question, “Tell me about yourself. Be prepared with a memorable answer that expresses your enthusiasm for your chosen field, your future desires, and a few positive characteristics as well as things you are engaged with.
Practice what you need to say ahead of time, yet don’t sound practiced and scripted.

Take some time to identify specific things about the school that appeal to you (programs, teachers, extracurriculars) and discuss them with excitement.

Read on. Talk thoughtfully about the best books you’ve read in class and independently over the past year (movies, plays, etc. are also good). Remember, it’s not so much what you like, but how you articulate why you like it.

Ask the interviewer smart, intuitive questions that aren’t answered on the college website.
Send a thank you note. The note should be sent by email or USPS mail; do not use text.
NOT

Do not be shy; freely share who you are and what makes you tick.

Don’t say you want to go to college due to the connections you make.
Don’t say you want to go to a school since it’s in a city or a modest community.

Try not to stammer when asked about a prominent question of the school curriculum. Figure out what makes the school unique!

Don’t ask what your chances of acceptance are; that’s up to the admissions committee; remember that the interview is only one part of the process. Your grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, extracurricular programs, leadership skills, summer activities, as well as personal and supplemental essays on your application will all play a significant role in your prospects.

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