College Interviews: A Short Guide to the Ivy League
By Path Mentor R.L., a current student of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (Originally Posted on August 4, 2019)
After spending countless hours planning, writing, and editing your applications, you finally hit the submit button and you wait. However, an aspect many students forget in the college application process is the interview process. (Don’t fret if you don’t get an interview, as it largely depends on how many available alumni have volunteered to interview students in your area as well as how many students have requested an interview.) However, if you are given a chance to interview, take the opportunity.
The college interview is a chance for the admissions board to get to know you beyond your GPA, extracurriculars, and even essays. It gives them more information about the kind of person you are. In addition, it is an opportunity for you to learn about the college and ask any questions you may have. This is your chance to talk to someone who has spent years at an institution you may be attending for the next four years! They’re an extremely useful source of knowledge on the college’s culture and student body, so it will also be helpful in deciding where you want to go. The interviewer will likely save time for you to ask questions, so prepared to ask for the purpose of not only demonstrating interest, but legitimately getting answers you may not have been able to find through college websites.
Some examples of good questions:
The interviewer’s favorite experiences while attending the school (favorite traditions, events)
What school groups they were a part of
Things they wish they knew when they were in your shoes
There is definitely no set way all interviewers conduct their interviews, and it is mostly up to each interviewer’s style. Many like to keep it friendly and conversational while some prefer to keep it more formal. Regardless of what interviewer you get, it’s important to keep in mind that they know nothing about your SAT scores, GPA, extracurriculars, backgrounds, and what you wrote in your college applications. So don’t bother telling them you have a 3.6 GPA with a 34 ACT score, as the college admissions board has already received that information with your application. Don’t try to amaze or impress your interviewer, but instead, show them that you’re a nice person who gets along with others and you would be a fit for the school. Your interview is an opportunity to supplement your application with things you didn’t get the chance to put in your application. Tell them what you’re passionate about, your favorite book, or a cool project you’ve been working on with your friends. It’s all about being able to show them you’re an intellectually mature person who they can picture attending their school.
Wear something that is nice but also makes you feel confident and comfortable. While a suit may be too much, you may want to wear something more formal than a t-shirt and jeans. Slacks and a button down is often a safe choice. Refrain from anything too flashy or revealing, as you want the focus of the interview to be your words.
In terms of preparation, try to refrain from memorizing answers and spitting them back out, as this won’t lead to an authentic conversation. Instead, relax and let the conversation flow naturally.
However, do your research on the school prior to the interview in terms of campus life, college philosophy, student groups/activities, etc. and be prepared to answer key questions such as why this school, tell me about yourself, etc.
Keep your answers concise while leaving room for essential examples. Practicing a “mock interview” with a family member, teacher, or counselor beforehand can be helpful in giving you a sense of what it feels like to answer questions.
Smile, maintain eye contact, and do NOT, and I repeat NOT use your phone during the interview.
After the interview, send a thank you note, be sure to include relevant details from the conversation, and address the interviewer’s name properly. This will help you stand out and help them recall details from the interview.
Overall, remember that these alumni are passionate about their schools, excited to meet prospective students, and they want to root for you in their reports back to the colleges. So use this valuable opportunity to show them how awesome you are!
