College Interview Preparation

When approaching a college interview, you're bound to be nervous. However, if you think over the process before you go and keep a few things in mind, a college admissions interview can be a painless experience that helps you put your best foot forward.

College Interview Preparation
The big day has arrived. You're about to go from being just a name and number to being a flesh and blood person to the people who decide whether you're in or out at the college of your choice. Sure, you might be nervous, but if you think over the process before you go and keep a few things in mind, a college admissions interview can be a painless experience that helps you put your best foot forward.

Be yourself. Remember the main goal of a college admissions interview is to let the college know who they're really dealing with. They may or may not have already looked at your paper application (depending on where you are in the application process.) Now they want to know what essays and SAT scores can't tell them. So be confident enough to be yourself. The last thing any interviewer wants is another over-rehearsed kid saying the same thing as everyone else, trying to work the system and get in. That's no good. Instead, be yourself--a neat, polite, version of yourself, but yourself. Only you know what that entails. Just remember, if you try to be someone else, you probably won't be very good at it, and the admissions office might very well consider somebody more sincere and comfortable in his own skin.

Remain calm. I know, easier said than done. One of the most difficult parts of interviews is usually battling the nerves. "What are they going to ask?" "What did they think of my answer?" "Do I have spinach in my teeth? I knew I should have just had coffee." But remaining calm is key to expressing yourself clearly.

A few ways to deal with the jitters? Remember that your interviewer isn't there to torture you, but to help the college get to know you better. She is not the enemy. She cares about students and education. Also, realize no one is perfect in an interview; people talk too fast, go blank mid-thought, stutter, stammer, and say dumb things. And the interviewer knows that and has seen it all before, so you're not liable to shock her. And you also shouldn't fret over saying every little thing perfectly. Nobody wants a Stepford student, anyhow. Lastly, be confident. If you believe in yourself and are sure you'd be an asset to the school, that will help you go into that interview ready for the give and take.

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Author: B. Danesco



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