<p>I have interviews with Reed, Kenyon, Bates, and Skidmore coming up.</p>
<p>How can I prepare myself for them?
What types of questions do they ask?
Just advice/tips…thanks.</p>
<p>bumper…</p>
<p>For Kenyon you’re in luck. Get the book “Alma Mater” by P.F. Kluge, a faculty member who attended Kenyon as an undergrad some time back. The book compares his experiences then with the undergrads now.</p>
<p>In general, LACs want to see that you understand what makes them special compared to their fellow LACs, and that you will thrive in their environment. So spend time on their website researching, look at facebook groups of students, etc.</p>
<p>As far as questions, interviews aren’t that much different than job interviews. So go get a book on interviewing and practice. Have a friend interview you based on questions from the book, interview yourself in the mirror, etc. Unless you’re in drama in HS, you need to practice! Expect questions like “tell me about yourself” and so on, open-ended questions looking to see what you say and how you say it.</p>
<p>Also at some point in every interview I guarantee they will turn to you and ask if you have any questions. This isn’t to kill time, its a crucial part. They want to see if you’ve done your homework, have spent time thinking about what it would be like to be a student there and have questions not easily answered from the viewbook or website. For a made-up example – “I am interested in applying to be a Flavin Scholar, and am wondering if I’d still be able to take part if I spent a semester abroad junior year thru the Bates program?”</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about the specific schools you mentioned, but I have done a few small LAC interviews. The thing that threw me the most was being told: “Tell me about home.” I wish I had given thought to where I would start if asked that question. I was also asked: “Why (this school?),” also phrased once, “Why are you here?” When I mentioned I had a friend at one school, I was asked for her name. I was asked what I most looking forward to/ dreading about going to college and what my main strengths/ weaknesses were. Before my interview, I was given a piece of paper and asked my GPA and to name five main ECs. Come prepared with your actual GPA, so you don’t have to guess and potentially be incorrect. I was asked specific questions about the ECs I listed. I was asked what I liked and disliked most about my school, and about my stay at their school. </p>
<p>General advice: Even if they tell you to dress like yourself, dress nicely. People will debate this point, but I believe in it firmly. Whether shes intends to or not, your interviewer is going to think something about when she first sees you. Make it a good something. When you speak, it is better to pause than to say “um” repeatedly. That said, your interviewer knows and understands that you are going to be nervous. </p>
<p>Also, your college counselor may have a list of questions that students have been asked in recent interviews, either at those schools or just in general. Send her an e-mail and ask if she has that resource available.</p>