College Interview Questions that You Should Prepare For!

taxguy · November 7, 2004, 8:02am

In my research of Carnegie Mellon, I found out that they place a lot of emphasis on the admission's interview. My daughter expressed a lot of concern and wondered what would be asked and how to handle the interview. Accordingly, here are some of the questions that I thought she should prepare for, and some tips that I gave her:

QUESTIONS:

<ol>
<li>How did you find out about this school?</li>
<li>Why did you apply here?</li>
<li>Why are you interested in ...(major)?</li>
<li>What experiences have you had regarding this major?</li>
<li>What research did you do regarding this major or occupation?</li>
<li>Why should we accept you and not someone else?
7 What was the best high school teacher that you had, and why did you like he/she?</li>
<li>What was your favorite extracurricular activity and why?</li>
<li>What was your favorite book and why did you pick it?</li>
</ol>

TIPS:

<ol>
<li>Become very familiar with the web site of the college. NEVER ask questions that can be found on the web site or in the catalogue.</li>
<li>Understand that colleges are interested in students that are passionate about what they will be doing and will stay for the full 4 years. Thus, confidence in yourself and in your major and understanding about the college is crucial.</li>
<li>You need to sell yourself as to fit the college's needs. They are not here for you, per se. Always put yourself into the mind of the interviewer and find out what they may want to hear? However, never blatantly lie.</li>
<li>Use common sense in interviews. For example, one student that I interviewed had a running nose and never used a tissue. Bring tissues and act with decorum at the interview.</li>
<li>Be yourself. Don't posture, speak normally. Don't use tough SAT words in the interview, Don't brag. Be charming, nice, friendly, and respectfull.</li>
<li>Dress appropriately. The dress should at least be "Nice casual." Cut out the hair spikes and purple hair, if possible. You want to look good, smell good, and sound good.</li>
</ol>

The above was posted in the Parent's forum. I felt that it would benefit you too.

Viewer · November 7, 2004, 8:58am

In your experience, was it common practice for a student to write a thank-you note to you as an interviewer? If so, how would you find his/her address?

taxguy · November 7, 2004, 9:00am

I don't think it is common to do so; thus, I would send a thank you. Courtesy is always appreciated.

flatlander · November 7, 2004, 10:50am

I interview for a New England LAC, five to eight students a year. In the 12 years I've been doing this, I've received one thank-you note. However, I always take the time to send a note to the student after our chat, thanking him/her for taking the time to meet with me and encouraging him/her to contact me if there's anything else he/she would like to know about the college. I would love to receive a quick note ("Thanks for taking the time to meet with me to discuss X College. I learned a lot more about the school, etc.") or email from students, but I understand many feel uncomfortable doing this.

I try to frame my questions as a way to find out more about the student - how he/she will fit into the college community. A student may have memorized the prospectus and website, but that doesn't tell me much about the kind of person sitting across from me. What teacher has had the most impact on you and why? Senior year is extremely stressful - how do you blow off steam when things reach the boiling point? Have you ever found yourself having to make a tough decision, and how did you handle it? How do you like to spend your free time? Do you plan to contiinue these activities at college?

I try to gauge a student's interest in the college, which does come from reviewing the website/visiting the college/reading the prospectus. If you tell me you've applied because "it's the hot college at my high school this year" (yes, this was an actual answer!), I will not be impressed. Likewise, if you answer that you can't wait to major in business - a major the school does not offer - you're essentially telling me you haven't given much thought to the process.

A good interviewer will try to make the student feel as comfortable as possible - most of us remember sweating through our interviews! - so the student can shine as brightly as possible.

Northstarmom · November 7, 2004, 11:08am

The other thing to keep in mind is that most people who interview students do this because the people like teens. The interviews chose to be adcoms or alumni interviewers because they enjoy talking with teens.

The interviewers aren't out to get you. They are there to learn more about you, and, yes, for the colleges that use the interview info as part of the selection process, the interviewers will have to make a recommendation about admission. Their having to make a recommendation, however, doesn't mean that the interviewer is looking for ways to trip you up or embarass you.

slipstream99 · November 7, 2004, 12:03pm

The only one of those questions I got was "What is your favorite book?" Mostly they were "pick three words to describe yourself"-type questions.

pebbles · November 7, 2004, 3:33pm

my interviewer asked me who i am :)

try prepping for that.

taxguy · November 8, 2004, 1:23am

Pebbles, Here is a good answer to that question," I am not sure,because I am learning more and thus changing each day."

happydays · November 8, 2004, 8:06pm

Would it seem strange or tacky, or in any way bad to bring a written list of questions for my interviewer? I don't want to forget them, since I actually want to know the answers, not just impress the interviewer, but I don't want to whip out a sheet of paper in the middle of the interview either.

taxguy · November 8, 2004, 8:07pm

Do Not Bring Out Notes In Front Of Interviewer.

daria1000 · November 8, 2004, 8:14pm

About the smelling good thing- yeah it's a good idea to be clean and everything, but I've been told to be careful of wearing perfume. Since you've never met this person, it just might happen that they are allergic to perfumes and it would have an effect on the interview. So obviously don't smell bad, but be careful of over doing it.

vanillaice · November 9, 2004, 2:10am

i sent my interviewer a thank-you email but he never replied! should he though? i sent it out quite a few days ago and i haven't heard anything from him since.

flatlander · November 9, 2004, 8:01am

I disagree with Taxguy - I see nothing wrong with bringing a list of questions. Just make sure you aren't staring at that piece of paper mumbling into your lap the entire interview.

taxguy · November 9, 2004, 8:40am

Flatlander, I have reconsidered my post. If your notes are all about questions that you want to ask ( and not a cheat sheet, answering proposed interview questions) then it would be acceptable.

Northstarmom · November 9, 2004, 10:00am

Vanilla Ice,
The only reason that your interviewer should reply to a thank-you is if you included a question that required a reply. In that case, it still would probably take a while for the interviewer to get around to replying.This is a very busy season for interviewers.

Otherwise, no answer would be expected.

IMO bringing a thoughtful list of questions to the interview would be something impressive. As long as those questions weren't the type of things that the college's web page answers, you'd like interested in the college, thoughtful and assertive.

mikemac · November 9, 2004, 2:23pm

Taxguy gives some good suggestions and sample questions. For students interested in seeing more of these questions and also some tips on how to handle them, look at any book about job interviewing. Many job interview questions are of the "tell me who you are" genre, similar to what you will be asked in an interview.

My 2 suggestions would be (1) look thru a book on interviewing (2) practice!! Have a parent give you a practice interview or two, reading questions from the book and you answer. You don't want the real interview to be the first time you are answering the questions aloud.