How to Prepare for a College Application Interview?

I've got my college application interview coming up soon and I'm feeling a bit nervous. What are some tips or best practices to ensure I'm well-prepared and leave a good impression?

Your feelings of nervousness are completely normal! Here are some steps you can take to prepare for your college application interview:

1. Research the school: Spend time getting to know about the college, its culture, key attributes, and courses/programs of interest to you. If you can articulate why the school appeals to you and how you will contribute to its community, that shows you're serious about attending.

2. Review your application: The interviewer may ask about anything you've shared in your application, so make sure you’re familiar with your essays, activities, short answer responses, and more. Reflect on how your experiences have shaped you, what you've learned from them, and your future goals.

3. Anticipate common questions: While every interview is unique, there are some questions that frequently come up. These include:

- Why are you interested in this school?

- Tell me about yourself.

- How have your experiences (academic, extracurricular, personal challenges, etc.) prepared you for college?

- Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.

4. Practice: Mock interviews with a parent, teacher, or friend can be helpful. You don’t want to sound overly rehearsed or robotic, but getting comfortable with interview-style conversation can boost your confidence.

5. Be professional: Dress appropriately—business casual is typically a good choice. Arrive punctually (or log in early for a virtual interview), listen carefully, and give thoughtful, honest answers.

6. Ask thoughtful questions: At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask some questions yourself. Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the school or the interviewer's experience there. This demonstrates your interest in the school and your proactive approach.

7. Be yourself: Lastly, but most importantly, be yourself! Your interview is your chance to show who you are beyond the paper application. It’s not a test—just a conversation.

Remember, interviews are both an opportunity for colleges to better understand you and for you to better understand the college. Use it as a tool to see if the college is a good fit for you, too! I wish you the best of luck with your interview!