Calling to Schedule College Interviews: How Does It Work?

I'm looking at schools that want you to call and schedule your interview. Is there a best way to approach this? Should I prepare anything before making the call, and what's the usual etiquette?

It's great to hear you're preparing for the interview process at your prospective colleges. Calling to schedule an interview is essentially the first step in the interview process, and you can certainly apply some tact to impress right out of the gate.

Before making the call, you'll need a few things prepared. First, you should have your calendar open and ready with possible dates and times for the interview. Consider your academic, extracurricular, and work schedule when deciding on possible interview times. Note down holidays, important school events, or anything else that might cause an interview to be rescheduled.

Second, have a pen and paper or a computer ready to note down any important information during the call such as the time of the interview, the interviewer's name, and any specific instructions given to you.

When it comes to etiquette, be polite in your conversation. Respect the other person's time and keep the call as brief as possible. If you get a voicemail, leave a clear, concise message detailing your name, purpose for calling, and a callback number. Once you are speaking with a person, introduce yourself and mention the purpose of your call. It might be something like, "Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm interested in scheduling a college interview."

After scheduling the interview, it's a good practice to send a thank-you email to the person you spoke with on the phone, if you have their contact information. This shows that you appreciate their assistance and are serious about the interview process.

Good luck with scheduling your interviews and your college admissions process! Remember, interviews are a great way to learn more about the college, demonstrate your interest in the school, and add a personal dimension to your application.