For many young people, college interviews are their first real interviews. As a result, many high school graduates feel jitters as they start the conversation. Despite the challenges, these interviews are a great opportunity to learn more about yourself while showcasing your prior work.
“The best way to approach college interviews is by considering them as nothing more than a casual conversation,” recommends H&C Education, a premier college admissions consulting firm. “Although the stakes are high, there’s no reason to be extra nervous. Furthermore, the interviewers will understand if you’re feeling a bit anxious.”
Besides keeping your emotions in check, it is advisable to conduct thorough research beforehand. Learn more about the college you’re applying to and create a personal story that will separate you from other applicants. In this article, we’ll share a few actionable tips that will help you get the most out of these interviews.
The Importance of College Interviews
First of all, it is worth mentioning that not all colleges require interviews. However, if they do, there’s probably a good reason behind it. Interviews can be a valuable tool for both the admissions office and applicants, bridging the gap between the two and helping determine if there’s a right fit.
These are some of the biggest benefits you can gain from these conversations:
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Connect with Interviewer
Before conducting an interview, your application is nothing more than a blank sheet with data. Only once you start chatting with the admissions officers can you create a real, human connection. Interviews are fantastic for sharing your enthusiasm and showing a glimpse of your personality. They also give you a chance to gain valuable insights that might not be available on the college’s site.
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GoThrough Data
Your personal accomplishments and grades don’t tell the whole story. For example, you might’ve had a dip in grades for personal reasons, which is something you should explain during the interview. You can also talk about your biggest accomplishments, what it took to achieve these goals, and the challenges you encountered along the way.
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Show Interest
College interviews give you a chance to show enthusiasm about the school and its program. You can talk about your motivations to enrol in this institution, and what you’ll do once you finish. Ideally, you must show that this college is your first choice, as it will add points to your application.
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Build Confidence
Given that this will be one of the first serious interviews in your professional career, you’ll have a chance to build confidence and develop communication skills. Although it is a brief chat, you’ll have a chance to converse with your seniors in a meaningful way. More importantly, you’ll be able to reduce anxiety for all upcoming interviews, whether academic or otherwise.
4 Steps to Perfecting Your Interview Performance
Without further ado, here are some tips that will help you leave an excellent first impression:
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Research the School
You must know everything about the college, its staff, and programs. We recommend that you start by examining its values, tradition, and mission, as these have the biggest impact on students’ academic experience. Go through its programs, majors, and other activities to see if they align with your personal interests.
It is also recommended that you read the latest few blog posts, to see what’s going on the campus. For example, you can get acquainted with new initiatives and other campus developments. During this time, you’ll have a chance to learn more about the institution, but also determine if it’s the best option for you.
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Go Through Interview Questions
The good thing about these interviews is that a lot of them follow a similar pattern. The questions are often the same, and admissions officers pay attention to the same things. As a result, you’ll have it much easier to prepare yourself. We suggest you review the most frequently asked questions, which will help you build confidence and prepare reasonable answers.
In most cases, you can expect questions such as: “Tell us more about yourself,” or “Why are you interested in our school?” Consulting professionals usually recommend using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). By going through the different stages of your experience, you’ll give interviewers a better sense of your background and motivations.
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Create a Story
Everyone loves a good story, and admissions officers are no different. You must create a narrative that connects your academic goals, passions, and actual achievements. Explain why you’re interested in a particular field of study, if possible, with a personal story. Ideally, you should demonstrate that you’ve been interested in this science for a while now.
Talking about challenges can also work in your favor. Don’t be afraid to show vulnerabilities and how you’ve failed along the way, as it will show authenticity. While you should focus on your story, avoid robotic responses. Instead, go with the flow of conversation so it doesn’t feel as if you rehearsed these lines at home.
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Present Yourself Professionally
You must never forget that this interview is, first and foremost, a professional appointment. This means that you’ll be judged by other professionals for your looks, conversation skills, and presentation. In other words, you can never go with business attire, though a business-casual appearance is also widely accepted.
In fact, it is even recommended that you go shopping before the appointment and find a well-matched outfit. Experts recommend that you work on your body language, including maintaining eye contact, sitting straight, and keeping a casual smile. Your demeanor will communicate confidence, often indicating that you consider yourself a good fit for the school.
Mastering College Interviews
Unfortunately, although college interviews are the first professional interview for many teenagers, you still must put your best foot forward. To increase your odds of leaving a good impression, it’s vital that you dress for the occasion, research the school, and create a personal story. By mastering the intangibles, you can exponentially increase your enrolment odds.
