It was almost two years ago, but I can still remember everything so clearly: the questions that threw me off-guard, the smell of the room, even the color of the interviewer’s tie. At the age of 17 or 18, most of us haven’t visited a college in the states, let alone participated in a proper interview that could make or break our future. I was 18 at the time, swimming through college applications, IB assessments, and standardized test prep. Nonetheless, I do not regret my decision to fly across the hemisphere and visit the colleges on my list.
I’ve realized that there’s a misunderstanding about the college interview process. It’s a two-way street, meaning the purpose isn’t solely so that the college can get to know you, but also so that you can find out more about the school. I always tell others to think of it as dating. Yes, the colleges are mainly the ones who make the final decision when it comes to acceptance or rejections. But, if you think about it, you’re the one applying to these schools. Frankly, you don’t even have to give a college the time of day if you don’t think they’re worth it! It’s a mutual relationship. They have to like you to accept you, but they also have to fit your standards to even be considered in the first place. This is where interviews come in.
Through the interview, you can glean a sense of the school’s vibe. As the conversation flows, the interviewer will likely introduce specific programs the school offers related to your discussion. Thus, it’s important to pay attention to the details your interviewers provide, because they can end up being excellent resources when writing your supplemental essays later.
Another myth about the college interview is how serious it is. It is a formal interview, yes, but that doesn’t mean the atmosphere can’t be lively, comfortable, and enjoyable simply by being yourself. You should dress smart and respectfully, but no one’s expecting a tuxedo or prom dress. These interviews are meant to be relatively chill conversations, and not rigid questions being thrown at you. Much like a date, if you have to pretend to be someone else to earn the interviewer’s validation or approval, then you most likely don’t fit the school anyways.
I remember the first interview I had at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. I was so nervous and stressed out that I wasn’t able to present my authentic personality. I was sharing my past experiences as though they happened to someone else and my interests as though they belonged to a friend. Interviewers love to see vibrant personalities and applicants who are at ease during the conversation. Despite how disastrous that first experience was, my subsequent interviews at Brandeis University and University of Rochester (UR) went markedly better. I was confident in what I was saying and completely did away with all the awkwardness. There is a fine line between treating your interviewer as your boss and your casual friend, and if you can gracefully toe that line, you’ll do well at any college interview.
But why are interviews even conducted when the admissions officers already have your transcripts and application profile? Well, it’s both an opportunity to get to know you on a personal level and to showcase any shining details you might’ve glossed over in your written application.
Generally speaking, interviewers will start with the incredibly vague and open-ended, “Introduce yourself a little bit.” You can approach this in two ways: One, talk about something unique that you think other applicants wouldn’t share, or two, dive deeper into the main interests of your application. Or you can always do a bit of both as I did! The reality is that most universities are going to see thousands of applicants every year, so it’s imperative that you do something which sets you apart from the rest. For instance, there will be plenty of applicants who are athletes, however, not all of them will choose to get in touch with the varsity volleyball coach like I did. Likewise, many claim to be environmentalists, but fewer founded their own environmental club at school or designed environmentally friendly machinery to make their campus a greener place. The idea here is to highlight two to four main points of pride, and specifically, those with tangible outcomes. For me, it was being an environmentalist, a volleyball player, and a member of the student council.
Furthermore, when explaining your future potential and past experiences, don’t forget to connect them with programs and resources at the university. Before you step into the room, make sure you’re prepared with specific names of programs and professors that you’re interested in. This shows that you know the school well enough and that you know you can thrive there with the opportunities they offer. To make your descriptions and understanding more vivid, make sure to take a campus tour before your interview. If you have the chance, talk to current students to better understand the school from their perspective.
There’s a saying in Chinese culture: “Opportunities are only saved for the ones that are prepared.” Always be yourself in an interview, but don’t just improvise or wing it during your interview. Everyone wants to flourish in college, but interviewers want to know why their school specifically is the institution to help you flourish. So dress sharp, memorize your information, be confident, and last but not least, put on a smile.
Keep Reading: “Choosing a College Is Like Dating,” and Other Insights From Graduate Summit 2021
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