I'm prepping for some upcoming university interviews and trying to figure out what kind of questions they generally ask. Are there specific topics or themes I should be ready to discuss, or is it more about my personal experiences and goals?
University interviews can vary widely based on the specific school and the nature of the interviewer (alumni, student, or admissions officer), but some common themes often come up.
1. Why this College? Interviewers often want to understand why you have chosen their school and express how your interests align with what the institution offers. This question requires good research on your part.
2. Details about your Extracurricular Involvement: Expanding on what you've written in your application, interviewers want to hear more about your passion and involvement in your extracurricular activities. This could mean discussing your roles, your achievements, or even how an activity connects to your career aspirations.
3. Academic Interests: Discussing your academic interests is essential. By talking about your favorite classes, significant projects, or books you've read outside of school, you can show your enthusiasm for learning.
4. Aspirations and Goals: This might involve describing your long-term goals or explaining how you hope to use your education to make an impact.
5. Personal Qualities and Values: Interviewers may ask open-ended questions about your personality. This can mean anything from "Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you dealt with it" to "What is a significant world event in your lifetime and why?"
6. What Can You Contribute to the School?: This can be a rather broad question, but it essentially involves demonstrating how you can add value to the school's community.
Remember that this is your chance to tell your story and bring your application to life. It's also a genuinely two-way process. Prepare some thoughtful questions about the school or the interviewer's own experiences, as this can show your interest in the school and give you a broader perspective on life there. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.