Does anyone have tips for Princeton University alumni interviews?

I've heard alumni interviews can be a big part of applying to Princeton. Are there any tips or strategies to impress during these interviews? I'd love to get some insights from people who have gone through it!

Sure, I'm happy to give some advice! It's important to remember that these alumni interviews are not formal evaluations. Rather, they're meant to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about Princeton and for Princeton to learn more about you. So, consider it more of a conversation rather than a formal question-answer session.

Preparation is essential. Although this might seem like casual conversation, page through your application materials and know your points of pride. Be ready with plenty of questions about student life that can't easily be answered with online research; ask the interviewer's experiences when they attended Princeton, or how Princeton has helped them in their career.

While you should certainly discuss your academic interests and achievements, do not forget to convey your extracurricular activities and community involvements as these are essential in holistic admissions.

Make sure to also practice beforehand. It can be nerve-wracking to speak about yourself, your interests, and your experiences. Practicing can help you feel more confident when the actual interview happens.

Remember, the point of the interview isn't to test your knowledge or see how well you can answer a tricky question. It's for the interviewer to gain a better understanding of you as a person - your interest in Princeton, what you might contribute to the campus community, and how you might take advantage of the academic and extracurricular offerings there.

Lastly, it's important to show up not just physically, but mentally as well. Be present, be relaxed and focus on the conversation.

You got this! Good luck.