Typical college alumni interview questions to expect?

I have an alumni interview coming up for one of my college applications. What usual questions do alumni tend to ask? Are there specific points I should prepare for to show them I'm really interested?

Sure thing! Typically, college alumni interviews are less about testing your knowledge and more about getting a sense of who you are as a person, your interests, and what you can contribute to the university's community.

Common questions you can expect to be asked include:

1. Why are you interested in this college?

2. What is your intended major and why did you choose it?

3. What courses have you enjoyed the most in high school?

4. How do you spend your time outside of school? (This refers to hobbies, volunteering, work, extracurricular activities, etc.)

5. Do you have any particular career goals?

6. How have you demonstrated leadership or contributed to your community?

7. What book have you read lately that you enjoyed?

8. What are the most significant challenges you've overcome?

9. What do you believe you can contribute to our campus community?

To prepare, it would be valuable to research the college and why it aligns with your academic and personal goals. Think about how you could contribute to the campus community and demonstrate this via examples from your high school experience. Reflect on challenges you've faced and accomplishments you've made, and be ready to discuss them.

Remember, these interviews are a great opportunity for you, too – they give you the chance to ask questions to someone who attended the university. So, be sure to prepare questions to ask the interviewer about their own experiences at the school. This demonstrates your keen interest and allows you to gain additional insight into the university.

It's also a good idea to practice answering questions with a family member or teacher, as a form of rehearsal, to help you articulate your thoughts under a less stressful condition. Good luck with your interview!