As college admissions grow more competitive, top schools increasingly conduct in-person and virtual interviews to personalize applicants. These conversations carry weight in demonstrating the human qualities not apparent in test scores and grades. Preparing thoroughly and presenting your authentic self improves interview performance and boosts admission chances.
Do Your Research
Success begins with extensive research on each college, its values, and unique programs or offerings you are interested in. Admission officers want to see genuine interest beyond prestige. Be ready to ask thoughtful questions showing you connect with the school’s mission.
Expert counselor Mimi Doe advises, “Really know the college so you can engage in an informed conversation, not a generic one.” Studying campus publications, virtual tours, and current students’ social media all provide insights.
Also, research your prospective major, career directions, and extracurriculars you hope to pursue there. This demonstrates ways you will contribute to campus life.
Reflect on Your Goals and Qualities
Take time to reflect on how specific goals and abilities connect to each college prior to interviews. Be prepared to explain concretely why it is the right match. How precisely will certain majors or programs there further your aspirations?
Brainstorm examples and anecdotes that capture your strengths, from persistence overcoming obstacles to leadership and teamwork skills. Think how these qualities may add value on campus. This introspection allows authentic, thoughtful responses.
Practice Out Loud
It is impossible to predict exact interview questions, but practicing common ones aloud builds confidence. Ask a mentor or parent to run through a mock session with you and provide feedback. Or record yourself on video responding to sample questions.
Hearing your spoken voice maintains articulate delivery. College consultant Ned Johnson notes, “Practicing out loud organically improves your poise and presence.” Refine concise, reflective responses to standout in conversation.
Plan Logistics Carefully
Confirm interview details well in advance and reconfirm prior to the day. Test any software needed for virtual interviews beforehand. Traveling to campus? Research parking availability and building locations. factoring extra time for challenges removes unnecessary stress.
On interview day, budget ample time in your schedule so you are not rushed. Calmly center yourself in the minutes before your interview slot. Taking logistics off your plate lets you focus fully on the discussion.
Dress Professionally
Appearance matters, especially for in-person interviews. Professional business casual attire makes the right impression. But avoid looking like you are going to a job interview on Wall Street. You want to come across as approachable too.
For remote interviews, dress professionally on top since the camera captures only your top half. Comb hair neatly and situate yourself with a clean background. Your appearance should reflect respect and maturity.
Make Good Eye Contact
Whether talking virtually or in-person, maintain comfortable, natural eye contact. Do not stare intensely, but make steady eye contact as you interact. This builds rapport and shows confidence.
Avoid looking down or around the room. Sit still and lean slightly forward to demonstrate engaged listening. Eye contact paired with thoughtful responses makes the conversation flow.
Show Passion and Personality
Interviews let you showcase passion and personality beyond your transcript. Admission officers look for diversity of perspectives and lived experiences. Share what excites you intellectually and activities where you excel. Let your voices and actions reveal vibrancy.
Don’t just rattle off accomplishments. Draw stories out providing colorful details. Expert interview coach Andrew Belasco says, “Letting your passion and personality come through is key to differentiated, memorable interviews.”
Describe Challenges Judiciously
Be honest but avoid turning interviews into therapy sessions. Use challenges and setbacks as examples of resilience you developed, not as excuses. Frame struggles to highlight what they revealed about your character more than asking for sympathy.
As college consultant Arun Ponnusamy explains, “Oversharing trauma or blaming others for poor grades backfires. But lessons you learned from obstacles show maturity.
Ask Good Questions
Admissions officers want to see your genuine interests, so prepare thoughtful questions. Ask what student life is like on weekends. Inquire about exciting research or service opportunities. Pose a question specic to your prospective major or program.
Jot down questions as you research each college so you can confidently ask about their distinguishing aspects. Questions tailored to the school signal meaningful engagement.
Send Thank You Notes
Email brief thank you’s to admission officers the same day acknowledging their time and consideration. Include a couple sentences reiterating why you feel the college is such a great fit based on the conversation. Thank you notes reinforce continued interest.
Handwritten notes stand out even more. Reiterate your strengths or include an article on something related you discussed. Thoughtful gestures like this leave lasting positive impressions.
Stay Calm
Interviews inevitably involve some nervousness. But becoming overwhelmed hurts your performance, while calm confidence succeeds. So breathe deeply before interviews. Smile warmly and speak slowly. Pause and think through answers if needed. Acknowledge anxiety honestly if it arises.
College interviews are conversations, not interrogations. Keep perspective. As former Yale interviews Jeremiah Quinlan says, “We want to see students’ personalities, not put them on trial.” Trust in your preparation.
With research, practice, and a sincere personal presence, you can show colleges the exemplary student you are and why their community needs you. Make interviews an exciting chance to connect, and let the conversations flow naturally.
