If you always freeze up in these situations, it might be best to skip the interview. Bad impressions are lasting impressions. The exception...if an interview is requested of you. That said, if you're a bad interviewer, you'll have 4-5 years while you're in college to work on those skills, which you'll need to get a job.

What to Bring

Portfolio: art students
Scrapbook/Stats: athletes
Performance Supplies (musical instruments, dancewear): performing artists

The Interviewer

Admissions Officer
Current Student
Alumnus
Athletics Coaches
Students/Faculty in Department of Interest
Students involved in activities you have interest in

General Tips

Be prompt.
Use natural and conversational tone, not a canned speech.
Be friendly and cheerful, but not too intimate.
Ask question NOT covered in the college catalog.
Don't chew gum, wear heavy cologne, swear or use slang.
Be confident...but humble!
Be polite to EVERYONE. You never know who will talk to whom about you!
Go it alone -- no friends, parents, siblings, pets...
Be honest. Don't be afraid to say I don't know.
Be Informed. More competitive colleges are more likely to ask questions about history, literature, or current events.
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Answer thoughtfully, using complete sentences.

Common Questions

How do you see yourself growing in the next few years?
Learning goal setting & planning; taking responsibility; learning about yourself; gaining historical perspective about the world today (if into history); improving communication skills; learning to relate to people with different backgrounds; learning to take risks; overcoming high school stereotypes; starting over; building on your past.

What might your teachers say is your greatest strength as a person and as a student, and what are your weaknesses in each area?
Talk about both; mention how you worked to overcome shortomings; are you assertive or shy? procrastinator or planner? organized or scattered?

What books or articles have you read in the last year that had special meaning to you?
Don't lie! Read and search for books and articles that touch you in some way, make you think about yourself and/or the world.

What events or experiences in your life have been most crucial to you?
Something you accomplished on your own or with others; that changed your way of thinking; something you were actively involved in or obeserved as a bystander. Focus on how the experience influenced you.

What do you see as a good life for you twenty years from now?
They want to know your values, goals, hopes, dreams...your idea of success, whether you value family or work or money. How you see yourself -- in a desk job, outdoors, working alone or in a group.

If you could telephone anyone, dead or alive, who would it be, and why?
See above.

Last year we had ten thousand applicants and could only accept two thousand. Why should be accept you?
Make the best case you can for why you have something special to offer. What sets you apart? Talents, interests, people skills, leadership skills, overcome a major setback, assumed an unusual amount of responsibility for someone your age, initiative, persistence, loyalty.

Similar to the above...Have you ever thought about not going to college and what you might choose to do insted? If I asked your best friend to describe you, what would I hear? Describe your best friend? How do you see the role of the student on campus and in the community? What, in your opinion, is a college education?

Do You Have Any Questions?

Caveat: don't ask questions that are answered in the View Book/Catalog. You want them to know you read it!

How many of the top faculty teach undergraduates? Freshmen?

How much of the teaching load is carried by graduate assistants?

Is tutoring available from faculty?

Are faculty generally available for consultation and help?

How large are classes for freshmen?

How large are classes once I get into my major?

Are professors likely to know me by name?

Are there opportunities for independent study? Self-designed majors?

Are many of the faculty involved in research? If so, are students involved in these research projects?

What is the job placement record among students in my major interest?

What sort of honors programs are available?

How many students are involved in off-campus or foreign study?

How difficult is it to transfer from one major to another?

How often is it done?

Do most students live in dorms or off campus?

How important a role do fraternities and sororities play in the the life of the students?

What social activities are available outside of the fraternity system?

What activities are available for freshmen to meet other students?

Outside of room, board, tuition and books, what routine expenses can I expect?

What athletic opportunities will be open for me?

How many of the students take part in athletics?

What is the surrounding community like?

What relationship exists between the townspeople and the college?

Do large numbers of students leave campus on the weekends? Where do they go?

How would you describe the atmosphere/personality of the campus?

How difficult is it to become involved in extracurricular activities such as publications, theater, music, special interest clubs, etc? How major a commitment do they involve?

When considering this college in comparison to other similar schools, what unique features should I consider?

What kind of attrition rate is seen among freshmen?

Do you appeal to a particular type of student?

What advice would you give me to help me in making my college choice?

What are the crime statistics on campus? Near campus?

Is there anything else I can tell you about myself to help you make a fair and informed decision about my application?

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Information in this section © 2005 Tracey Kobayashi, unless otherwise noted.