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?

 

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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