Interviews

What Is a College Interview?

A college interview is an opportunity for a school to get to know you beyond your application—and for you to learn about the school. Interviews are not often required but may be offered as optional or recommended by selective or small private colleges. Most large public universities do not offer them due to applicant volume. Interviews can be on-campus with an admissions officer, off-campus with an alumnus, or increasingly, conducted virtually—which carries equal weight.

If offered an interview, take advantage of it. Even when listed as "optional," scheduling one demonstrates interest and gives you a chance to make a personal impression. Only about 4% of schools consider interviews "very important"—but elite and selective schools are among them. In specialized programs like BS/MD, the interview can be the deciding factor.

Types of College Interviews

Evaluative interviews are formal assessments of your fit, character, and communication skills. They become part of your application and can influence the admissions decision. Look for hints like "highly recommended" to identify these. Informational interviews are more casual and don't directly affect your admission, but you should still treat them seriously—interviewers may write up notes regardless.

Most schools conduct interviews through alumni volunteers, and not all applicants may receive one due to limited volunteers and geographic constraints. The absence of an interview does not count against you.

How to Prepare

• Research the institution—its history, programs, values, and current initiatives.
• Prepare thoughtful questions based on your research; asking specific questions shows initiative and curiosity.
• Review your own application and resume so you can speak naturally about your experiences.
• Have specific examples ready that illustrate your interests, growth, and how you'd contribute to campus.
• Dress appropriately—aim for smart-casual: clean, neat, and confident but not over-formal.
• Arrive at least 10 minutes early. For virtual interviews, test your technology in advance.
• Practice with counselors, teachers, or friends through mock interviews to build confidence and reveal habits.
• Turn off electronic devices before the interview begins.

Common Interview Questions

• How would you describe yourself? Share your passions and quirks. Colleges already have your grades—make this personal and memorable.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? It's okay not to know exactly, but explain how college will shape your path.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? Use specific examples and show how you're working on your weaknesses.
• How would you contribute to our community? Be specific about how your unique perspective would add value.
• Why do you want to attend this college? Walk through your thought process and what you value about the school.
• What's a challenge you've overcome? Show critical thinking and problem-solving through a real story.
• Tell me about your leadership experience. Focus on one specific example with depth and accomplishments.
• What's a book that changed your perspective? Share what it reveals about your interests and beliefs.
• What's something not on your application? An opportunity to address gaps or share untold dimensions of who you are.

Making a Strong Impression

Enter with good posture and walk confidently. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Sit up straight with relaxed body language and avoid nervous movements. Be a good listener—don't interrupt, and avoid one-word answers. Back up claims like "I'm curious" or "I'm resilient" with short, real anecdotes—stories are far more memorable than assertions.

Be authentic. Colleges can sense inauthentic boasting, so talk about learning moments, not just wins. Remember that the interview is a two-way conversation—show curiosity by asking about the interviewer's own college experience. Even on Zoom, smile, maintain eye contact with the camera, and sit upright.

After the Interview

Send a personalized thank-you note the day after—most interviewers write their report within a few days while the conversation is fresh. Mention a specific topic from your conversation to show engagement. Obtain the interviewer's business card or email for proper follow-up. Remember that every interaction counts: emails, scheduling calls, and thank-you notes all shape your impression.

Interview Timeline Tips

Check each college's interview requirements early—not all offer them. Schedule as soon as available, since alumni slots fill quickly. After each interview, debrief: reflect on what went well and what to improve for the next one. Positive impressions especially help borderline cases or scholarship consideration. Keep a growth mindset—even if one doesn't go perfectly, the process builds communication skills for the future.

Virtual Interview Best Practices

Many alumni interviews and some official admissions interviews now happen over Zoom, Google Meet, or other video platforms. The virtual format introduces technical and presentation variables that you should prepare for.

Technical Setup

• Camera angle: Position your camera at eye level or slightly above. Looking up into a laptop camera from below is unflattering and distracting.
• Lighting: Face a window or use a desk lamp in front of you. Avoid backlighting (sitting in front of a window) which turns you into a silhouette.
• Background: Choose a clean, neutral background. A bookshelf, plain wall, or tidy room works well. Avoid virtual backgrounds unless your real background is truly distracting.
• Platform testing: Join the meeting 5 minutes early to test audio, video, and internet connection. Have a backup plan (phone hotspot, phone call) in case of technical issues.
• Eye contact: Look at the camera lens, not the screen, when speaking. This creates the impression of direct eye contact with your interviewer. It feels unnatural at first — practice beforehand.

Asynchronous & Pre-Recorded Formats

Some colleges use asynchronous video interview platforms instead of live conversations. These formats present a question on screen and give you a set amount of time to record your response.

Common Platforms

• Kira Talent: Used by business schools, nursing programs, and some undergraduate admissions. Typically gives you 30 seconds to prepare and 60–90 seconds to respond per question.
• InitialView: A third-party service that conducts live interviews (usually 15–20 minutes) and sends the recording to colleges. Popular with international applicants. You can choose to share the recording or not.
• School-specific platforms: Some schools have built their own video response systems embedded in their application portals.

Tips for Pre-Recorded Interviews

• Practice answering timed questions out loud before the real session — the time limit feels very different from a conversation
• Speak naturally and concisely. You do not need to fill every second — a clear 45-second answer beats a rambling 90-second one
• Look at the camera, not yourself on screen
• If you get a question you did not expect, take a breath during your prep time and outline 2–3 key points before recording

Handling Difficult Questions

Certain interview questions are designed to test how you think under pressure. Preparing frameworks for these questions helps you respond thoughtfully rather than freezing.

"Tell Me About a Failure"

Choose a genuine failure — not a humble brag ("I worked too hard"). Briefly describe what happened, then spend most of your answer on what you learned and how you changed your approach. Admissions readers want to see self-awareness and resilience, not perfection.

"What's Your Weakness?"

Name a real area of growth, then describe specific steps you are taking to improve. For example: "I used to struggle with public speaking, so I joined the debate team sophomore year and have competed in six tournaments since then." Avoid clichéd non-answers like "I'm a perfectionist."

Controversial Topics

If asked about a current event or controversial issue, share your genuine perspective but demonstrate nuance. Show that you can consider multiple viewpoints and support your position with reasoning, not just emotion. Avoid extreme positions or inflammatory language. The interviewer is assessing your critical thinking, not your political alignment.

"Why Not Another School?"

Never badmouth other institutions. Instead, redirect to what specifically draws you to this school — a professor's research, a unique program structure, the campus culture, or a value that resonates with you. This is essentially a verbal "Why Us" essay — make it specific and genuine.