Tufts University interview: what to expect?

Got an interview with Tufts University coming up. Super excited but also nervous! Should I expect mostly traditional questions or do they look for something unique in candidates? I'd love to hear from those who've been through it.

Congrats on securing your interview with Tufts University, that's a great step forward! Tufts interviews are generally focused on getting to know you as a person, your reasons for your interest in Tufts, and how you might fit into their community.

Your interviewer, who should be an alumni or a senior student, will likely start the interview off on a light note to make you comfortable - potentially asking about your day, your interests outside of academia, and your plans for the future. Then the conversation could delve into your specific academic interests, what attracts you to Tufts, and how you envision your college experience.

While traditional questions concerning your school life, leadership experiences, strengths and weaknesses, may form part of the conversation, Tufts also values individuality and creativity. You might thus be asked more reflective or thought-provoking questions to see how you think, and respond in different situations. Think about how you handle stress or setbacks, or instances when you've taken the initiative on a project or to solve a problem.

Bear in mind that this is not a test, but a conversation. It's completely okay not to have immediate answers to all questions. The primary aim is to get a sense of who you are beyond your application documents. Of course, you should also use this opportunity to ask your interviewer questions as it’s a two-way street.

Remember, authenticity is key; it's okay if you don't have a perfect answer for every question. They really just want to get to know you. Practice ahead, be yourself, and best of luck!