Interviewing-College/University

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • describe strategies and techniques for every stage of the college interview process (before, during, and after).
  • demonstrate an understanding of strategies and techniques for every stage of the college interview process (before, during, and after).

Introduction
One of the first steps in the process of applying to a college is the college interview. Unlike a job interview, which usually occurs at the end of the hiring cycle, the college interview is normally at the beginning of the college search. You may have many questions about your prospective interview, such as "What am I supposed to say or ask?" or "Will my interview determine whether I am accepted or not?" or "Is what I wear important?"
 
Well, you can relax a little. The interview for most colleges is optional and used primarily to provide information for students. Some colleges don't even offer any kind of interview at all.

So, what is the college interview all about? Although college interviews are different for different colleges, generally the college interview is a conversation, or an effort by the college and you to get to know each other better.
 
Here are a few tips to follow for your college interview:
  • What kinds of questions will you be asked? Colleges usually want to know about your background, your intellectual interests, and your activities inside and outside of school. The interview is your best opportunity to express your unique personality and passions. Try to avoid predictable answers such as "I'm hard working," "I'm responsible," "I'm friendly," or "I'm a good student." Here are a few questions that you might encounter:
  1. Why are you interested in our college? Highlight your intellectual interests. Don't say that you want to make a lot of money or that you've heard that graduates from that college get good job placements.
  2. What in your life has most influenced you? Who deserves the most credit for your success? Who is your role model? Identify a few real, historical, and fictional characters that you admire, and be ready to explain why you admire them.
  3. What do you want to major in? You don't have to have already decided upon a major before entering college. It's okay. Your interviewer won't be disappointed. However, if you have already chosen a major, you should be prepared to explain why.
  • What kinds of questions should you ask? This varies from college to college, but you should always have two to three questions ready to ask because in any interview, you can count on being asked "Do you have any questions?" Here are a few good general questions that you can ask: "What makes this college special or different from other such similar colleges?" "What is the campus life like?" "Do you have a list of the previous year's on-campus events?"
  • Should I do anything to get ready for the interview? You can hurt the interviewer's impression of you if you seem disinterested, unprepared, and uncaring. So, yes, you should prepare for your interview by knowing some things about the college, having some questions to ask, and deciding upon two or three things about yourself that you would like the interviewer to know about you before you leave.
  • What should I wear? Basically, you should look neat, clean, and comfortable. For guys, a nice button-down shirt, polo shirt, or sweater and a pair of dress pants or khakis are good choices. Wear black or brown leather shoes; avoid sneakers or flip-flops. For girls, dress pants, a skirt, or a dress are all appropriate. Choose a simple pair of pumps or ballet flats. Wear jewelry, but don't get too flamboyant. 
  • Things NOT to do: Be late, chew gum, talk too little, fail to research the college, and lie.
  • What should I do after the interview? Make notes about the interview. Send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Thank him or her for their time and refer to something specific that was discussed.

Examples
Read the sentence below and then fill in the blank with the correct answer.
1.
The best way to describe a college interview is that it's a  between the college and the prospective student to help the student get to know the college campus better.
 

The answer is conversation. The main goal of the college interview is to help you and the college to get to know each other better.


Read the question below and then circle the correct answer(s).
2.
During a college interview, you will most likely be asked about your __________. 
a. background
b. grade point average
c. intellectual interests
d. interests inside and outside of school
 

Did you circle a. background, c. intellectual interests, and d. interests inside and outside of school? Excellent. The main goal during the college interview process is to find out what makes you you. Colleges will find out about your grades during the application process.


Try Together
Read each question below and then write a one- to two-sentence response in the box provided.
1.
Name two things that you can do to prepare for your college interview.
 
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
  • I can have a couple of questions to ask the interviewer.
  • I can have two or three things about myself that I want the interviewer to know about me before I leave.
  • I can know something about the college.
 

2.

First, think about a college that you would like to attend. Then, prepare a question that you would like to ask during your interview at that college.
 
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
  • What is campus life like, and do you have a schedule of on-campus events from the previous year?
  • If I major in marketing, are there likely to be opportunities for me to do an internship?
 

Now's your chance to practice aloud for your future college interview. After you read each question, take a minute or two to think about your response. Then, give an oral response to your Sylvan instructor.
3.
So, tell me a little about yourself.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include details that paint a colorful portrait of the student, such as the following:

  • their passions
  • their quirks
  • what makes them laugh
 

4.
What do you want to major in?
 
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
  • I want to major in journalism. Writing is my passion, and my goal is to work for a newspaper, or write copy for a news channel on TV.
  • I have many interests, and I think that I need to take more classes before deciding upon a specific major.
 

5.
Who in your life has most influenced you?
 
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
  • My mother is the most influential person in my life. She has shown me that even when something seems impossible, there's always a way. For example, she took college courses at night while working a full-time job and being a single mom.
  • My coach is the most influential person in my life. He has taught me leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Excellent

Good

Okay