Preparing for a Stanford University admission interview

So, I have an interview for Stanford coming up, and I'm super nervous. Does anyone know what kinds of questions they ask or any good preparation strategies? I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences shared!

First, congratulations on being offered an interview! It's a rewarding opportunity to engage with someone who can provide a great testimony of what being part of the Stanford community entails.

Typically, the conversation is a chance for you and your Stanford representative to get to know each other better. It's an informal conversation rather than a behavioral or technical interview, but it doesn't hurt to prepare.

Some common questions asked during the interview might include:

1. What role do you currently play in your school or community?

2. Why are you interested in Stanford?

3. Are there courses, programs, or opportunities at Stanford that interest you, and why?

4. What are your long-term goals and how will attending Stanford help you achieve them?

The interviewer might also want to explore your views about relevant global or community issues, so it's helpful to stay aware of current events.

Not all interviews will cover the same topics; it greatly depends on your interviewer. However, being genuine, specific, and personal in your responses will always work to your advantage.

To prepare for the interview:

1. Reflect on your high school career: Consider your accomplishments, challenges and how you handled them, and what you have learned about yourself. You might also discuss experiences where you demonstrated leadership or collaboration skills. This preparation will make you more confident and allow for personal anecdotes to naturally come to mind when you're answering questions.

2. Research Stanford: Knowing specific Stanford programs or opportunities that fit your interests will show that you spent time becoming familiar with the university. Additionally, this shows your interviewer that you are enthusiastic about potentially being a student there.

3. Prepare questions for your interviewer: This not only demonstrates your interest in attending Stanford, but also helps you gain insight into the university from an insider’s perspective.

Remember, this is as much an opportunity for you to learn more about Stanford as it is for Stanford to learn more about you. Arriving to the interview prepared, relaxed, and open will make it an enjoyable and constructive experience. Good luck, you'll do great!