The College Interview
In the complex pie that is applying to colleges, there is a small slice that looms large in students’ minds. You either sign up for them, or you are offered one. They are often optional, but still heavily recommended! I am, of course, talking about the college interview. The amount of uncertainty around the college interview requires clarification that colleges often don’t provide. In this article, I will try to clear up surrounding misconceptions as well as provide some tips for how to be confident and prepared for your interview.
Many students feel like college interviews are this huge, professional responsibility. While the first may seem a little daunting, I would urge students to think of it as an opportunity. Not only can you expand on what you put on your application, but you can also learn more about the school from a person who (typically) has firsthand experience in the same institution you want to attend!
In the realm of pressure, students may also worry about what they're going to wear. I personally made sure to look presentable, but comfortable. Many students have their interviews in local coffee shops, so you don’t have to wear your best dress to a Starbucks or a Panera Bread. Ultimately, interviews are conversations between two individuals, and treating them that way is your best bet!
I also spoke to current AFs about their experiences with college interviews. While they went to anywhere from 5 to 10 interviews, I personally only went to 4, so the range can be wide. But all of us agreed on one thing: as you partake in more interviews, you get more comfortable with your answers. A college interview is a conversation with someone who’s excited to learn more about you! Prior to interviews, AF Vanessa Cheng would search her interviewer’s name and learn more about them prior to interviewing. This helped her figure out what topics to ask about at the end. One question Vanessa appreciated asking her interviewer(s) was “If you were able to meet your first-year self all those years ago, what would you say to them?” That way, she could learn from their mistakes and get some advice prior to entering college. Solomon Adams, another ‘23 AF, said that he likes to ask “If you could change something about your school, what would you change?” because it helps him get honest answers about his interviewer and his potential school.
Another thing: if your college interview doesn’t go as well as you wished it had, don’t fret! Oftentimes, college interviews are a way to put a face to your application, and they typically don’t sway a decision one way or the other. Solomon said that one of his interviews wasn’t ideal simply because of a difference between their backgrounds. While they didn’t work out, Solomon was still able to learn about his own preferences for schools and environment.
My first interview was for Yale, and I didn’t have much practice prior. If I’m being honest, it didn’t go as well as the rest of them. If you tend to get nervous for these kinds of things, I would suggest putting schools at the top of your priority list later in your schedule. That way, you’ve had plenty of practice, and you can be ready to put your best foot forward for your last, but certainly not least, interviews.