May 11, 2010
SMILE and SPEAK CLEARLY: The College Interview
We knew it was him. Our little interviewee. We could tell by the determined gait, the furrowed brow, and the tiny junior high school tie on 275 pounds of high school linebacker.  The Admissions Mavens love interviewing for their alma maters because meeting kids on the cusp of a huge milestone in their lives is truly exhilarating and keeps us young! Did you go on an interview as part of your college application process? If you applied to public universities, you probably didn’t. If you applied to some private colleges, the chances are good that you interviewed at a few schools. Wanna know how the Admissions Mavens feel about the college interview? We like it. It doesn’t really have too much weight in the application process for the most part, but we like it. Why? It’s good practice for job interviews — it’s a life skill. You will only get better with practice, and in most cases, the college interview is low-stakes.  Below are some helpful hints about the college interview. If you get nothing else from the information, please remember to SMILE and ENUNCIATE and SMILE again.Â
The best college interviews are easy, engaging, and natural conversations where you can express your personality, intellectual curiosity and interests. Most interviewers just want to get to know you beyond the four corners of your application. They want to know if you would make a good roommate or pleasant company in the dining halls. They want to know if you would make an active and positive contribution to the college community. Just be the most confident and most mature version of your authentic self, and you’ll have a successful interview.
1. Do all colleges require an interview?
Not all colleges make the interview part of the admissions process. Large public universities such as the Cal State and the University of California schools do not require interviews.
Private universities with large and active alumni communities such as Dartmouth, Harvard and Tufts make the interview an important part of the application process. Once a student has submitted her application to these schools, an alum in her area will contact the student to set up an interview. For such schools, the interview is officially “optional”. However, if an alumni interview is offered to you, it is a very good idea to accept the interview.
Small and very innovative schools such as Hampshire College also strongly recommend interviews for applicants, in part to ensure that the student is well suited to their unique perspectives and programs. Like many small schools, Hampshire College offers both on-campus and off-campus interviews. Students who cannot visit the college for an on-campus interview should request an off-campus interview from the admissions office. Other examples of liberal arts colleges that recommend interviews are Smith, Occidental, and Mt. Holyoke.
Pitzer College offers a very unusual alternative to the traditional interview by allowing students to upload a video interview of themselves answering Pitzer’s questions via a service called MYCOLLEGEi.com. If a school to which you are applying uses the MYCOLLEGEi.com service, it will be noted in the school’s Supplement section in the Common Application.
The bottom line is that colleges handle the interview process in many different ways. It is important for you to familiarize yourself with the individual policies of the schools on your college list.
2. How does an interview affect my chances of admission?
In general, a good interview is a helpful addition to your application to some degree. A positive interview is most helpful to those students who are on the cusp of admission. A great interview, however, will not override a poor performance in your classes. A poor interview performance will not destroy your chances of admission and cancel out 3-4 years of your hard work in high school. Keep in mind that the interview is as much about the college’s marketing and recruiting efforts as it is a means of getting to know you.
3. Who will be interviewing me?
If you are interviewing on-campus, you will mostly likely be interviewed by an admissions officer. You may even be interviewed by a student employee of the admissions office. If you are interviewing off-campus and in your local area, you will most likely be interviewed by an alum who lives in your area.
4. Where will the interview take place?
For off-campus interviews, the location is highly variable. Some alums will ask the student to come to his/her workplace. Others like to meet students in public locations such as public libraries or a local coffee shop. Some alumnae/i will try to schedule the interview at the student’s school.
5. How long will the interview take?
This varies from interviewer to interviewer. S/he will let you know how long it will be. Most interviews do not exceed one hour.
6. How do I set up the interview?
For some schools, you must request an interview. For others, a school representative will contact you. You should check the specifics of the process on each school’s website. Please remember that the interview starts with the first point of contact with the interviewer. That could be in-person or by email or telephone. Be polite and try to accommodate the interviewer’s schedule, if possible. Proofread your e-mails and use regular English – not text messaging abbreviations.
7. “Why us?”
You will be asked why you chose to apply to that particular school. Interviewers like to know that you have a genuine interest in the college that they represent because for the most part – they love their school! Many alumnae/i take it very personally if a student does not have at least a general familiarity with their beloved alma mater. You can exhibit your courtesy and interest by doing your research and asking specific and relevant questions.
8. Other potential questions that the interviewer may ask include:
a. What good books have you read lately?
b. What plans do you have for the summer?
c. What majors interest you?
d. What did you like best/least about high school?
e. What classes did you like the best/least?
f. What are your passions?
g. How would your friends describe you?
h. What are your strengths/weaknesses?
i. What are some significant experiences in your life that have affected your educational journey?
j. What extracurricular activity was your favorite?
k. What have been the biggest disappointments in your high school career?
l. What are your hobbies and outside interests?
m. What is your opinion regarding a particular current event?
Please note that these are all open ended questions that require elaboration and explanation. Don’t just list your favorite classes or hobbies. Be prepared to say WHY they are your favorite classes or hobbies.
What if you are asked a question that you can’t answer? It is important to keep in mind that sometimes interviewers ask questions not just for your answer but also to see how you act under pressure when you don’t know what to say. If you don’t know how to respond to a question, just stay calm and be honest. One great way to respond would be to say, “I don’t have enough information to give you an informed opinion. Can you point me to some resources where I can find out more information about this?”
9. “Do you have any questions for me?”
This is a very common question that interviewers ask. Have some questions in mind that you can ask the interviewer. You always ask the interviewer about his/her undergraduate experience.Â
10. Is there something that you would like to convey to the interviewer that might not have been included in your application?
This could include some awards or honors or sports victories that you have achieved after you submitted your application. This could be some activity or cause that you care deeply about. Be sure to let your interviewer know so that he/she can include it in his/her report to the school.
11. The little things that mean a lot:
a. If you are on time, you’re late. Be 5 minutes early. Bring a book and read it while you wait.
b. Don’t bring your parents to the interview.
c. Dress neatly and modestly. Dress in a clean cut way so that YOU, not your outfit, stand out.
d. Every interview should begin and end with: EYE CONTACT, FIRM HANDSHAKE, SMILE, SAY THANK YOU.
e. A handwritten thank you note is the best way to convey your gratitude and your interest.
A good interview can be a helpful addition to your application. A bad interview is not the end of the world or the death of your chances of admission. Like many of the skills that you will gain during your college admissions journey, good interviewing is an important life skill, and you will get better with practice and time. GOOD LUCK!
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About the Author:
My name is Helen Choi, and I’m a recent graduate of the UCLA Certificate Program in College Counseling, and I love helping students embark on their college admissions journeys! I am also a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from UC Berkeley and a graduate of Harvard Law School. I practiced corporate law in California and New York, and now I live in Southern California. For more college admissions advice from the Admissions Mavens, please visit our blog at www.admissionsmavens.blogspot.com.
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