5 Ways To Ace Your College Interview

March 25, 2020 at 4:00 AM
College interview preparation is important to getting accepted to your top school choices.

College interviews give you the opportunity to showcase your dossier to your prospective college. You’ve probably been looking up college interview preparation online and have a good idea already of what you can expect. While interviews may seem like a daunting feat to undergo, acing them is much easier than you may think. Approach the interview as a conversation where you are aiming to paint a holistic portrait of who you are. Shoot to tell your story through academic and personal interests that highlight your personality and potential. Below are some tips to help you prepare for your upcoming college interview.

Dress appropriately.

You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but dress in a way that exemplifies how serious you are about attending. Business casual is a good reference point when you’re deciding what to wear. Your clothes should work with you as an integral part of your goal. Try to look neat and composed and make the best impression you can. Remember that your outward appearance is the first touchpoint between the interviewer and you.

Prepare some talking points.

Have a plan in place to make the most of the time you have. Think about how you are going to present yourself as an individual through your highschool achievements, affiliations, and interests. It is crucial to go in with a plan to navigate through the interview so there are never any points where the room becomes quiet or the interview ends too early. It is paramount that you continue to stimulate the conversation for the full 30 minutes through questions and active engagement.

Take control of the conversation.

Within the half-hour time slot you have, it is crucial that you try to cover everything that distinguishes you as a candidate for admission. Direct the conversation so that all of your talking points are covered and your interviewer leaves you with a clear picture of your dossier. Think of it like this: there is a tall stack and a small stack of applications. How can you place yourself in the short stack?

Ask questions.

We cannot emphasize this enough. Interviewers look for candidates to ask thoughtful questions about the school that exemplifies your interest in attending. When asked, “do you have any questions for me,” you want to be prepared with thoughtful inquiries. Never end an interview without asking at least three questions throughout your conversation.

Write a thank you note.

Make sure you remember the name of your interviewer and have their contact information. They will be reporting directly to admissions after your interview with a breakdown of who you are and their overall impression of you as a candidate. Following up is a great way to show your enthusiasm and stick out to your respective admissions officer. The contents of your follow up should cover at least three points of discussion from the interview and something new you learned.

Educational Attainment Services is dedicated to the success of our students. It is our mission to see students throughout the college process and provide valuable counseling that helps them grow. Together, we can give you the competitive edge you need to be gain admission to your dream school. We offer a wide variety of services including individual advising, group advising, seminars, and much more. Please reach out to us today and learn more about the individualized solutions we provide for our students.