<p>I’ve been interviewing for almost 15 years and I guess I don’t have a standard script, other than (as an early post suggested) asking what else we haven’t covered. I do try to avoid the pat questions that everyone has prepared for, such as favorite book or greatest disappointment. </p>
<p>I like to start with a broad “tell me about yourself.” I did two interviews last weekend. The first person started with a long list of extracurricular activities and the second told me how much they love a particular academic subject and want to become a doctor. </p>
<p>Both students had many impressive qualities, but I think stressing academics in such a question is the winning approach. Or at least describing something unique. </p>
<p>By the way, my impression is that Yale prefers that we not ask where else people are applying. Which is a shame, since I’d love to tell students why they should want to go to Yale instead.</p>
<p>Finally, if I ask “why Yale” or anything to that effect, 9 times out of 10 the answer is the residential college system. In other respects Yale has many (well, at least a few) peers, but the living environment is pretty special.</p>