| Are you getting nervous about the college interview?
Don't be, just relax and read the tips we have given below. You may come out
of your inteview with flying colors.
INTRODUCTION
First of all check BestSchoolsUSA's site College Survey, Question # 56,
to see if an interview is necessary, advisable, who conducts it, etc. The interview, while
not as crucial as the application, can be the factor that can tip the
scales in your favor. Don't be nervous, with our tips you'll be
prepared.
BE PREPARED
Don't go into
the interview unprepared. Unprepared you ask? How can I
possibly prepare for an interview!! Well, you can. You need to
know yourself and the college you're applying to very well. While at
the interview, express many serious reasons you want to attend the
school. Don't mention humorous things such as, "I hear you have the
best parties at your school." Always bring a copy of your transcipt
just in case you're asked for it.
PROPER PROCEDURES
Never be late,
in fact, be a few minutes early. At the same time, don't arrive 30
minutes early either. Be courteous to everyone, including the
secretaries. Dress appropriately, don't come in a shorts and a
t-shirt, and at the same time, don't come in a Tuxedo. Shirt and tie
is great attire for interviews (looks appropriate and is
comfortable). Don't bring your parents along to the interview.
It is okay if they drive you there, but have them wait in the lobby
or some other waiting area or better yet, have them pick you up. Sit
only when you are asked to. Don't fool around with any of the
objects in the room. This is not the time to be chewing gum, leave
that for some other time. Always maintain good eye contact and
always have good posture. Smile, and be pleasant. Shake hands
firmly (People are always impressed with this). Try to eliminate the
use of "like", "you know", and "um." Don't give one word answers,
explain thoroughly. Try to make the dialogue flow smoothly.
Talking to the interviewer should be like talking to any other respectful
person. Use "Mam" and "Sir." Be social, try and carry on some
of the conversation, do your fair share of the talking. Don't say
you don't enjoy reading or studying, as that is what you will be doing a
lot of in college. Don't say you like reading supermarket tabloids
either, because that is hardly literature.
SOME DO'S AND DON'TS
Don't ask boring questions that are in the school's
brochure. If you're interested in an activity, do express your
interest, but don't boast about it too much. Don't talk about your
famous friends and family, this interview is about you, not them.
Don't argue over current events. If you don't know something, don't
pretend to. This interview is about you, not the interviewer, don't
question them on their whole life. Don't say you're going to college
to make money or because your dad wants you to. Do have good reasons
to go to the school.
MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS
If you
are doing multiple interviews, do the interviews to the schools you want
to get into least first, because this will give you valuable experience
for the interview for the school you want to attend the most.
ENDING THE INTERVIEW
End
the interview with a "thank you for your time," and finish it with a firm
handshake, a smile, and good eye contact.
SEND A THANK YOU CARD
Send a thank you card to the interviewer for the time
they spent.
COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE
INTERVIEWER
1. Why our school?
2. Why are you and this school right for each other?
3. Which school is your first choice?
4. What are you majoring in and why?
5. What are you plans for the future?
6. What do you hope to do after school?
7. What was good/bad about your high school?
8. What would you like to tell us about yourself?
9. What periodicals do you read?
10. What books have you read recently?
11. Tell us about your family?
12. What are you favorite activities?
13. Who are your heroes?
14. What are you strengths/weaknesses?
15. How would someone else describe you?
16. What events have made a huge impact in your life?
17. What is the biggest contribution you have made to your
community?
18. What is the most important thing you have learned in high
school/life?
FINAL THOUGHTS
After the interview,
if you think that your interview went poorly, or that the interviewer
exhibited a bad attitude or was in a bad mood; you may be able to obtain a
second interview with another person. To do so, you should immediately
contact the admissions' office stating your reasons (such as that you think
it went quite poorly, you are not satisfied , etc.). Request that you be
afforded another chance with a different individual.
We here at BestSchoolsUSA.com hope that these tips
have helped you on the interview. Good luck! IT ONLY GETS
BETTER!!! PLEASE NOTE: This information is presented
here for Freshmen College Applicants to avail themselves of this material
when they are preparing to apply for freshmen admission to various colleges
in the USA. The information is displayed at this web site: BestSchoolsUSA.com
accessible and FREE to any individual interested in applying to colleges
in USA for said individual's personal use. No other use - for commercial
or any other purpose - is permitted without the express written consent
of BestSchoolsUSA.com.
For comments, please contact us. |
