I'm planning to apply early action to Princeton and I was wondering if interviews are part of the process. If so, should I be doing anything in particular to prepare for it?
Princeton University does offer interviews to most of its applicants as part of its application process, including those applying Early Action. It's important to note, however, that not every applicant will be offered an interview since it largely depends on the availability of regional alumni volunteers. So, if you are provided the opportunity for an interview, that's great, but it's not a cause for concern if you aren't.
Should you be offered an interview, there are several things you could do to prepare. Firstly, it is beneficial to know about the university, its programs, and why you specifically chose to apply. Reviewing your application as well can be a good idea, in order to re-familiarize yourself with what you wrote. You should be ready to expand on your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and future plans.
In addition, it can help to prepare some questions of your own to ask during the interview. This demonstrates your active interest in the institution and the thought you've put into your college decision. Focus on thoughtful, substantive questions about college life or the interviewer's own experiences; this is not the time to ask questions that can easily be answered by a quick website visit.
Remember, the purpose of an interview is for the university to learn more about you as a person and what you would bring to their community, not necessarily a test of knowledge, so be yourself. Good luck with your application!
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.