What to Expect From College Admission Interviews

Even when they're not required, college admission interviews are often a good way to bolster an application. Here's how to tackle your admission interview.

First of all, college interviews usually aren’t necessary, so don’t panic. Only a handful of highly selective schools require them, and many schools do not have them at all. Many students also pass up on the option of going to “Interview Day” events because they are unsure of what goes on during the interview process and what effect it will have on their application. But even when they’re not required, for many students, college interviews are often a way to bolster an application and are actually a lot less scary than they may seem.

What are admission interviews like?

For starters, the college interview is a face-to-face discussion or Skype call between an applicant (or future applicant) and an admission representative or alumni. The whole interview usually lasts half an hour and revolves around two things: the college and the student—so no surprises here. The unique thing about interviews is that they go beyond the written application where students can only respond to those particular questions asked, which may not even provide the ability to go as in-depth as the student wishes. Interviews give the admission team a chance to get to know you better and in more detail. For example, a school’s application may not have a place to explain an unusual drop in grades, but this can be brought up in the interview. In fact, the ability to explain something important that happened to you—a sickness, death in the family, parent’s loss of a job, and how you bounced back from some other adversity—can actually help give really helpful insight into who you are as an applicant (and maybe even boost your admission chances). Colleges love to see character, which only comes through having a variety of experiences. Interviews also show you’re really excited about attending the school, and admission counselors keep track and consider that in making decisions sometimes.

The topic of your future

Aside from getting to know you better as an individual, your potential future at the college is the other major topic of conversation. While the campus and programs at a certain college may be great, if the school isn’t the right “fit” for you (and vice versa), then enrolling there may not end well. This might seem like a downside to a college interview, when you and the representative realize that a particular school is not your best option. But it’s actually a good thing, since you won’t make the mistake of going there for a semester (or longer)! Also, do not be afraid to continue digging deeper. As much as the admission team wants to get to know you, they want you to have all the information you want about the college. There is usually a time for you to ask your questions, and this is the perfect opportunity to ask about things that go beyond statistics and really get to know about what the next four years of your life could hold. Even if you know someone who attends that school who has told you all about the school, its students, academics, campus life, and more, you should still ask questions. If you know a lot about the college, talk about what you know and ask for really specific details. After all, you want to show how interested you are in the school.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About College Admission Interviews

My first college interview

It was a warm Sunday morning that I was scheduled to interview with the College of Wooster. They had set up an interview day at a location that was much closer to my house than the college itself. After I signed up, I had repeatedly gone over practice questions, picked out an outfit (fairly conservative, but with a little personality), and felt prepared for a Q&A session. When I walked in (a few minutes early, and a little bit nervous), I was greeted by the admission representative and his wife, who was training to be a representative also. Instead of sitting at a desk, we all sat around a table in comfortable chairs. This set the tone for a relaxed conversation about what the college had to offer.

Don't expect a ton of questions

Even though I had prepared for an onslaught of questions, I received few. They were all broad and revolved around what I wanted to get out of my college experience. Of course, they got to know me as an individual and as a student—my hobbies, interests, favorite/least favorite classes—but the focus was more about what I wanted to do in college. I want to major in biology, so we discussed their program. I want to take piano lessons, so we went over the options for that. I told them I wanted a small school where the students were focused on their studies but also had outside interests...this is where things got interesting. The admission representatives shared with me their experience of going to the college, along with the things they observed every day. I was able to ask all of the questions I had and was able to clear up any misnomers or concerns I had. The questions were easy to answer and easy to ask because it was such a low-stress atmosphere.

Related: Admission Interview Strategies Students Should Know

While some college interviews are very casual and discussion based, students should prepare for more traditional formal interviews and questions: Who are you as a person? Are you a leader? What will you contribute to our school? What is your biggest weakness? You may never be asked these questions, but, at the very least, answering them will help you understand who you are as an individual. Oh, and remember, sit up straight, smile, dress nicely, and no gum!

For more advice on getting through every part of the application process, check out the articles in our College Admission section. 

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Leman Simpson

Hello, everyone. My name is Leman. I'm from a small town in west-central Ohio. Although I'm definitely not sure what I want to do in college, I definitely want to pursue my passion for science! Throughout the year I will be researching, visiting, and applying to small colleges in Ohio and the neighboring states.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Meredith College

Raleigh, NC


Priscilla Yeboah

Priscilla Yeboah

High School Student

I was afraid and timid throughout my search for colleges, but I finally found the college that was fit for me and luckily I got accepted. One of the most influential things that helped me was the articles and advice on CollegeXpress. They've helped me a lot and benefited me as a senior to make the right choices in life. Thank you!

Makiyah Murray

Makiyah Murray

High School Class of 2021

The college application process has been a stressful one, but CollegeXpress has eased some of that stress with its readily available college resources. At the beginning of the process, I frequently used the college search feature, and now that I’m almost done applying, I’ve started using the scholarship search. Both of these resources have made it easier to find relevant information.

Jada Bohanon

Jada Bohanon

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has helped me find scholarships for the colleges I applied to. It was very hard for me to find scholarships in the beginning that I was qualified for. My teachers recommended this website to find some, and not only did I find some scholarships but I also got to look into some schools I hadn’t heard of before. I was very happy to have discovered this website, especially with the coronavirus spreading all over as I can’t really go visit many colleges.

Hannah Nelsen

Hannah Nelsen

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me look at colleges that fit my interests by taking my profile and matching it to colleges that have the programs I'm looking for. It has the ability to connect me to colleges so I can be contacted by them and look at them more in-depth to find what's right for me. Additionally, the scholarship database is super beneficial for getting scholarships for college. Not only does it help lift the financial burden of college but it shows all the opportunities available. Overall, CollegeXpress has been very helpful to me.

Joseph Johnsly

Joseph Johnsly

High School Class of 2021

It's an honor for me to be writing to share a little about my experience with CollegeXpress. I've been using CollegeXpress for about a year now, and the reason why I chose it is because it provides astonishing scholarships for every student around the globe. Besides that, this organization dispenses all the information necessary to help students get to college. CollegeXpress has helped me have an easier experience with applying to colleges and choosing the best fit for myself.