<p>How can you answer “What is your best trait/characteristic?” without sounding like a self-righteous brat?</p>
<p>just say it like you KNOW you’ll probably sound like a self-righteous brat. When I answered, I hesitated and said things like “Oh, wow, this sounds kinda narcissistic, but ______. <em>lol here</em>”</p>
<p>XD</p>
<p>I agree with your statement. Spelling out EC’s, Acheivements, Community Service, Leadership Roles, Sports Accomplishments, Music Abilities, test scores, GPA, listing activities outside school, plus ‘how will you save the world’ questions, all at age 13—and not be (or sound) self-absorbed—is challenging.</p>
<p>I have no success formula (because we’re still going through this BS process with our daughter this year), but I believe the interview is critical. At it’s best, it reveals personality, emotional maturity, and character of the student and all schools are interested in an emotionally mature contributor to their culture. </p>
<p>The “be yourself” advice is given with good intention, but the self-righteous brat won’t have the greatest interview with that formula. Along with the benchmarks, it’s equally important to convey a willingness to learn, to improve, to become better through participating in all the school offers.</p>
<p>With the ‘best trait’ one, you want to be honest. And a lot of the times, your best trait can also be your worst, so I don’t think you are running the risk of sounding TOO good (is there such a thing?) Such as, being a perfectionist, well that’s a good trait, but also a really bad one if it can consume you. The school will realize with every answer there is another side, and that depending on how you and your interviewer connect, the person might just paraphrase what you say to what you intended. At least that is what my off campus lady did. I mean, be completely honest. You want them to know how good you are.</p>