How to recover after crying in a college interview?

I got really emotional during a college interview and ended up crying. I didn't expect to be overwhelmed like that. Any advice on how to handle this situation if it happens again, or how to follow up with the interviewer?

You're certainly not the first person to become emotional during a high-stakes situation like a college interview, so know that you're not alone in this. Emotional moments can happen, especially when discussing personal topics.

To prevent it from happening again, try practicing your answers to potentially emotional questions in advance. By rehearsing, you familiarize yourself with sharing difficult experiences or feelings, which can help you maintain composure during the actual interview. It's also OK to say, "That’s a little bit of a personal question," or "Can we take a moment?” if you need a pause.

If such a situation arises again, it's okay to ask for a moment to compose yourself. Interviewers generally understand that applicants can be under a lot of pressure. Maintaining composure after becoming emotional can actually display your resilience and adaptability in a stress-inducing situation, skills that are highly valued in college settings.

In terms of your concern about the recent interview, sending a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time and potentially addressing the situation could be helpful. You can say something along the lines of, "I also wanted to briefly address the moment in our interview where I became emotional. Discussing these things out loud reminded me of the impact they had on me, and I appreciate your understanding and patience."

Remember, crying does not automatically translate to a bad interview. Interviewers are humans too, and they understand that students can feel a lot of pressure during this process. You have the potential to show your authenticity, and colleges appreciate seeing that from applicants.