Practice interviewing, learning about the school, being confident and asking questions to the admissions committee are things candidates should do when entering the interview round with American universities.
Interviews are part of the admissions process at many U.S. colleges, along with a resume, letters of recommendation, and essay. According to the College Board, some colleges interview only a limited number of applicants. This is an opportunity for students to talk to and stand out to college representatives.
Below are 6 tips for candidates when entering the interview round of schools, according to US News, the organization that ranks American universities:
Mock interview
Students can familiarize themselves with the interview process by answering common questions, similar to real interviews.
“If you can sit down with a parent, teacher, friend, or trusted advisor and have them do a mock interview,” says Rachel Rubin, founder of consulting firm Spark Recruitments. This helps candidates avoid jitters and better prepare for the real interview, Rubin says.
Interviews typically last between 30 minutes and an hour, online or in person.
16 common interview questions that candidates can prepare for are:
- Introduce yourself
- Why are you interested in our school?
- What will you contribute to our community?
- Who influenced you the most?
- Tell me about a challenge you overcame.
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Which academic field interests you most (or least) and why?
- What do you think you will be doing in 10 years?
- What do you do for fun in your free time?
- What is your goal 5 years after graduation?
- What community, social and school activities have you been involved in?
- What is your career goal?
- Do you have a support system?
- When you receive comments, how do you handle them?
- What classes did you take?
- What is your favorite class and why?
Understanding the school
Colleges are looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in the school, so Christine Chu, a college admissions counselor, advises students to thoroughly research the college before their interview.
After doing some research, applicants should be able to identify four or five distinct points about the college, and how it fits them.
Prepare your own questions
Interviewers will have plenty of questions for students, Rubin says. But candidates should also bring some of their own. By asking questions, they can demonstrate more interest in the school. Rubin says well-thought-out, open-ended questions work best.
“Have some questions ready about the school, even ones that you can easily find answers to through the school's website or Google,” says Rubin.
Honest, Confident
According to experts, college admissions committees look for well-rounded students with different personalities and passions. Interviews are an opportunity for candidates to show their uniqueness.
Ms. Chu suggests taking advantage of the sharing atmosphere of the interview to talk more about yourself, your hobbies, interests or experiences that are not mentioned in your profile.
“Admissions officers are really trying to figure out who you are beyond the page. You should be confident in yourself, rather than answering the way you think they want to hear,” she says.
Dress well
Rubin believes that in addition to preparing answers, dressing neatly and cleanly can give candidates a psychological advantage.
“Even for phone or video interviews or in cases where students don’t show up, I still recommend that they dress nicely,” she says.
Write a thank you note after an interview
Not only during the interview, candidates can also make a difference by sending a thank you note or text message afterward. This way, they further demonstrate their interest in a school and also show the admissions office that they are polite.
“This practice has fallen somewhat out of favor, but I think it's generally appreciated by recipients,” says Rubin.
Doan Hung ( According to US News )
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