College Interviews

How To Show Demonstrated Interest

Have you heard of "demonstrated interest"? It's one of those phrases that can cause some confusion for students -- and parents  -- as they go through  the college application process. Luckily, educational psychologist Jane McClure returns this month to demystify "demonstrated interest" and provide six action items for students to -- what else? -- demonstrate interest.

By now, your applications have been submitted.  Whew!  What a relief!  So now you just wait, right?  Well, no, not exactly.  There are some actions you can take that will make a difference at many colleges, particularly independent colleges and universities.  It’s called “demonstrated interest.”  Students show demonstrated interest when they take various actions that signal to a school that they are seriously considering it. And it can possibly enhance your chances of admission.

What is the best interview advice for students?

Informational, evaluative, alumni, admission office, scholarship— there are several different types of interviews. Students may be talking with an admission officer on the college campus, an alumnus at the local Starbucks, or with a scholarship committee over Skype. So this month, we've rounded up a group of high school and independent counselors to offer their best advice for students, whether you're a junior thinking about a practice interview next spring or a senior finishing up college and scholarship interviews. Read on...
 
"The Question of the Month" for December is:

What is the best interview advice for students? 

Rafael S. Figueroa
Dean of College Guidance
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Seniors: Questions You May Want to Ask in a College or Alumni Interview

Seniors, over the next weeks, you may be doing interviews at the colleges or, over the holidays, with local alumni. Remember, the interview is a conversation, not a test. But you should prepare. It is likely that at some point in any interview, you will be asked if you have any questions and the general rule is to ask questions that cannot be answered via advance homework -- for example, by perusing the FAQs page of the college's website. Here are some ideas for questions that you may want to ask:

What kinds of students are most successful at College X?

What do you like about College X?

Most colleges have a specific personality that goes beyond its academic offerings. How would you describe College X's personality?

Is there a type of student who is smart and well prepared but who would be happier at a different kind of place? Why or why not?

And, in addition, for alumni:

Why did you choose College X and what did you like about it? What would you have changed if you could have? What surprises did you experience? How has the campus changed?

 

Seniors: Beware the Biggest Interview Faux Pas

Admission officers say that, by far, the most frequent interview faux pas are wardrobe malfunctions— blouses that pop open, spaghetti strap tops that are too skimpy, flies that are unzipped, workout clothes that look like you just
worked out, makeup more suited to a nightclub, and way, way too much perfume for the girls and aftershave for the boys. At any college interview, students should dress like they are being taken to lunch by their grandparents. Or, as Rick Diaz, regional admission director at SMU, advises: If you look in the mirror and think to yourself, “I look really good,” then change your clothes. You should not look that good. It’s an appointment, not a date. You should dress conservatively and look presentable, not “hot.”
 
For more information about interviews, including interview etiquette, online interviews, and questions students may want to ask, see Chapter 11, "College Interviews," in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

Seniors: Advice for your Interviews!

Seniors, at this time of year, you will likely be doing interviews at the schools on your list -- either in the admission office or with alumni. Here's our best advice:

Take the time to reflect before you show up for the interview. For example, think about  what's important to you, what you're reading, which of your activities means the most to you, what class you most enjoy, what event going on in the world right now has caught your attention and why?

Have a well thought-out answer for a question you are very likely to hear: "Why do you want to attend College X?" Your answer doesn't have to be long or involved but it should honestly reflect your feelings and in-depth knowledge about the school.

Dress appropriately. Admission officers say by far the most frequent interview faux pas are wardrobe malfunctions.  Here's a guideline: dress like you're lunching with your grandparents.

Be on time. In fact, be a little early.

Be polite — to everyone: the receptionist, the other students and parents in the waiting room, the interviewer and your parents.

Remember: this is an opportunity to create a lasting first impression. One of the best ways to do that is to start out the interview strong. Make eye contact with and greet the interviewer, offer them a firm handshake, and state your full name clearly before you take your seat for the interview.  

How to be Successful in College and Scholarship Interviews

Now is the time when many juniors are walking into their first college interviews and seniors are winding up their admission process with scholarship interviews. With that in mind, we asked college advisor Alice Kleeman for her best advice for students. As usual, she goes the extra mile to shepherd students through what they can expect. Read on about preparing for an interview, how to make a solid first impression, and why an interview is not the time to be modest.

 

An interview is an opportunity! How many other times in your life are you invited to talk about yourself, to share the best of yourself with others? A college or scholarship interview is not to be dreaded or feared, but rather to be enjoyed. After all, who knows and understands the subject of YOU better than YOU? The following common-sense suggestions for successful interviews should help you relax and enjoy the process.

Juniors: Schedule At Least One Interview This Spring

Juniors, we recommend you do at least one interview, if possible, in the spring of junior year in high school. As you visit colleges over spring break, go through the process of interviewing or if there is a college near where you live, schedule an interview there if offered.

You should not interview at your first- choice college at this time. Save the most important interviews— those at schools high on your list— for over the summer or early in senior year. But you can get a sense of what an interview is like only by doing one and it’s better to feel more comfortable with the process before senior year. Check the website of every school on your list to see when the admission office begins interviewing prospective students. Each college has its own policy. Some colleges do not interview students before the senior year while others will interview juniors beginning in spring of junior year.

For more information about interviews, including admission office etiquette and questions to ask, see Chapter 11, “College Interviews” in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

Juniors: Start your Planning for College Visits

Juniors, now is the time when you and your family should sit down and plan when and where college trips are going to occur. This is another element of approaching the application process wisely by being organized enough so that you and your parents are not constantly nagged by doubts and concerns.

With some dates in mind for visits, then check the website of each of the colleges you plan to visit to obtain dates and times for tours, information sessions, interview availability, and other opportunities. Make a reservation if required. Do this as far in advance as possible so you can get a spot on a date that works for your family. Some schools may not require you to reserve a space for info sessions or tours but ask you to let them know in advance that you’re attending. Do this.

If the college requires or strongly suggests an applicant interview, arrange an appointment for when you are on campus. There are usually a limited number of time slots for interviews, available on a first- come, first- served basis. We’ll have more advice about interviewing next week.

 

Seniors: Questions to Ask in a College Interview

Seniors, last week we addressed some of the questions you don't want to ask in a college interview. Remember the general rule is to ask questions that cannot be answered via advance homework -- for example, by perusing the FAQs page of the college's website.

Instead think about inquiring about the experiences you might have at the school. Here are some ideas to get you started -- questions that you may want to ask:

What kinds of students are most successful here?

What do you like about your college?

Most colleges have a specific personality that goes beyond its academic offerings. How would you describe this college's personality?

Is there a type of student who is smart and well prepared but who would be happier at a different kind of place? Why or why not?

Did you go here?

                • If yes, why did you come and what did you like about it? What would you have changed if you could have? What surprises did you experience? How has the campus changed?

                • If not, why did you choose to come to work here? What kind of opportunities or challenges does this college offer that were not available where you went?

 

Seniors: What not to ask in an interview

 

Seniors, in the next weeks,  many of you will be interviewing at the schools on your list which offer that opportunity -- in the admission office, via Skype or with an alumni interviewer. In most interviews, at some point, you will be asked if you have any questions. Don't waste the interviewer's -- and your -- time with questions which can be readily answered by looking at the college's website, such as the number of undergraduates or whether a specific major is offered. That communicates that you didn't do your homework. Research in advance the basics of the who, what or where of the university. Also, don't try to stump the admission officer with a question only the head of the physics department can answer. You should really want to know the answers to the questions you pose -- because you are having a conversation about a place which, if you enroll, will affect your life in significant ways.

In next week's advice, we'll have some ideas about and suggestions for questions you may want to ask.

For more information on interviews, including what to expect and how to prepare, as well as advice for parents, see Chapter 11, "College Interviews," in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step

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