That’s an interesting question. I can think of two ways having a theme song can help. First, if your theme song is one you can turn to for strength or inspiration internally, or somehow use as a mnemonic that can’t hurt. Second, if you’re willing to sing it for your interviewer, you can be pretty sure you’ll be remembered.
If the interviewer is a frustrated tenor perhaps! At least they could do a sing-a-long with you.
A college wants to interview you to find out if you will fit the college. They want to know that you will bring diversity to their campus. Knowing who you really are will help you answer questions and respond so the college interviewers get to know the real you. Finding a theme song helps you understand who you really are. The more definition you have to who you are, the better you will interview. Just be sure to refrain from singing the song. It might not go so well for you.
Music enables us to remember information—think of “Now I Know My ABCs.” Music can calm the wild beast or encourage us to purchase in shopping environments. For the college/scholarship/job interview, it can be an energizing and positive attitude booster. So find your own theme song. One you can listen to, sing or just hum to yourself, right before the interview to get you geared up for the “Main Event.” You can go with show tunes, “I Believe in You” from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying or “I am the Starlight” from Starlight Express or older classics like “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and “I’ve Got the World on a String” by Frank Sinatra.
Finding your own song that makes you feel good about yourself! You can use any song that makes you feel confident and strong. A recent client’s pep song was “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. Some upbeat songs are “I Feel Good” by James Brown, “Don’t Stop (thinking about tomorrow)” by Fleetwood Mac, “You are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder, “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves and “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” (from Monty Python).
In addition to a song, try a catch phrase! You can repeat that phrase to yourself to give you courage. Many actors use this technique before big auditions. Remember, your goal is to give yourself the confidence and enthusiasm to present your best self during the interview or in any stressful situation, so start with finding a theme song or a catch phrase and go from there!
A theme song focused on things that pertain to you, can help you stay focused during your interview. Remember the person interviewing wants to get to know you as a person and as a student.
I have never been aware of an applicant having a theme song. I’m actually not that sure how receptive I would be if a student were to sing me a song unless it were so clever and not in the least bit offensive. That does not mean, however, that another interviewer wouldn’t think it a clever tactic or conversation starter! The way a candidate does extraordinarily well with me – and I have conducted so many interviews – is to show respect and exceptional preparation. I want to know that the student really knows and cares about Brown, for example. If he or she conveys that in words and not in song, I am going to be pleased. If a student displays excellent critical thinking in the interview, I will be even impressed.
but you need some substance, too.
OK, none of you are probably old enough to have ever seen the legal dramedy that made Calista Flockhart famous, so here’s the upshot – Ally used to imagine she had her own personal theme song (I think it was “Tell Him”) and it gave her the confidence she needed to go into court or on a date or whatever. While I don’t recommend breaking into a song and dance number in the middle of your interview (unless, of course, you are auditioning for a musical theater program), finding your own personal theme song can be a good exercise to help you prep for an interview. The point is that in order to interview successfully, you have to know who you are and how to introduce that to someone else. If a theme song doesn’t work for you, you can go with something simpler, like, What are the three or four things someone needs to know about me in order to know what’s important to me? These things could be both values you hold and accomplishments of which you are proud. If you can set those ideas to music in your head, great, but either way what you want is the confidence that comes from knowing who you are.
if you consider yourself inexperienced with interviews, you should consider mock interview practice with counselor or someone else. a theme song may not help you at all if you need the skills to be competitive.
If it makes you feel more comfortable and relaxed, then go for it!
A theme song can help you stand out by being memorable, but not in a good way, unless you are applying to a performing arts program or musical theater school. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing and gimmicky. You will make your interviewer uncomfortable, and if it’s an alumnus you’ve met in a coffee shop, well, you’ll both probably want to slink away before you’ve finished. Of course, I assume the question is about performing a theme song. If you just want to mention it, that’s probably OK although I’m not sure why it would come up.
College interviews can be nerve wracking. If you create a theme song for yourself, you’ll be more likely to remember the important points about yourself
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Just like Ally McBeal, having a theme song can help you nail the college interview because it can keep you focused on what makes you unique. Your theme song should correspond with who you are and what common threads run through your life. For someone who likes a challenge your theme song can be “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough.” This can be running through you head and you can give examples of how at each turn, you have challenged yourself and kept pushing forward. For someone who is a bit quirky or different, but has stayed true to himself, his theme song could be “Just the Way You Are.” by Bruno Mars to keep you grounded and realize that your difference is what makes you special and you can center your interview around all of the ways that you have shown this through your creativity, your determination, or your acceptance of self. So think about songs that speak to you and figure out how the theme mirrors your own life philosophy. Then when you are in the interview, sing out strong.
lsakdf oashdf sadjfh
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When approaching the college interview, it is important to be prepared with specific experiences, characteristics, or qualities about yourself that you want to express to the interviewer. I call this “having an agenda”. A typical college interview will last about 30 minutes, perhaps less, so you have very little time to express yourself. An interview is a give and take – you need to make sure you uphold your end of the bargain, er, conversation. So go in knowing what you want to express to the interviewer. If you speak 3 languages and want that to be known, somehow work that into the conversation. If you are an expert illustrator, or you have written an iPhone application find a way to work that in. Be conversational – interviewers loathe those awkward silences and love students who give full answers to questions. Avoid simple yes/no answers by elaborating on your responses. And if you do come across an awkward silence, take initiative by using it as an opportunity to ask a question. More than likely, the interviewer will conclude by saying, “Do you have any questions?”. Try to have an ‘extra’ question prepared, so that you can ask it at the end. Finally, be sure to get a business card and follow up with a hand-written thank you note.
It is certainly an intriguing idea. Given the recent music video put out but the Yale Admissions office, and the willingness at Tufts to watch offbeat YouTube videos, an interview theme song does not seem so far-fetched. That said, If I were your interviewer, I would probably call security if you jumped on the desk and starting belting out Celine Dion songs. Ok, so seriously, I think its a great idea of having a theme for your interview. Know what you want to convey to the admissions office, things that you know they can’t get from just reading your application. Rather than acting like a deer in the headlights, take some control over the process and engage your interviewer. Whether you are just asking salient questions (not the things you could have had answered by a quick glance at their website), or steering questions to your intended subjects, this is your chance to make an impression. Use it wisely.
It may be more of a mantra than an actual theme song. Students engaging in an admission process where alumni or on-campus interviews are critical should be true to themselves. This may sound a bit trite, but it is true as interviewers are looking for someone like you. Interviewers desire to know what makes you unique and how such uniqueness will contribute to the school community. Therefor, do not recite your application and highlight your activities sheet. Instead, spend some time on a significant passion that highlights your personal attributes while showing depth and breadth of subject matter. Discuss your love of origami, Contemporary Appalachian Literature, or cross-country skiing. There are no set rules for interviews and each school will embrace its particular nuances. Yet, universally, showing your unique qualities and passions will serve you well. After the interview, remember to highlight these passions in a brief hand-written thank-you note.
Creating a theme song means that you tie your interests, activities, volunteer work, community service and course work together around a topic that really interests you. For example if you are concerned about the environment you could take environmental biology courses, start a compost center at your school, help younger students learn about recycling etc. Start exploring your interests early in your high school career and continue to pursue those things that you are truly passionate about verse selecting something that you think will impress an admissions officer. When it comes time for your interview you will be able to have an engaging and comfortable conversation. Admissions officers will take note because you will show that you truly are passionate about what you do. You will ace the interview. Good Luck.
it helps you focus
A college admissions interview is not Facebook. It’s not a place to talk about lyrics that resonate with you. If lyrics help you to focus your thoughts, fine. But don’t talk about a song unless you are asked.
This is a relatively new trend. I’ll be honest, as a child of the 80’s I find it upsetting because it makes me realize that I am older and out of touch. Why? Because my kids choose songs from new artists I’ve never heard of. Take something from the AC-DC Back in Black album, some classic rock from the 60’s or 70’s. Just don’t use anything by Justin Bieber or any of the new trendy artists. Chances are, if I don’t know the song, the admissions committee will not either.
The same way that politicians use talking points to get across what they want regardless of the question asked, students who convey a consistent message can control what the interviewer records, however it may also backfire in the same way as when a politician comes off as unresponsive or evasive.
NO, do not go into an interview with any song unless you are applying to a performance school where your talent is singing. Take college interviews very seriously and dress appropriate being prepared to answer questions; not wasting the persons’ time with minutia.
The words of a college theme song usually mention important details of the school
It’ s important for students to understand whether the college is offering them an “informative” interview OR an “evaluative” interview. The most selective colleges typically have their alumni conduct interviews with students. If everything looks great on paper in the admission office, an interview may be granted. Students should realize this is going to be an “evaluative” interview. They should be prepared to put their best foot forward and have a theme song that is consistent with who they are. Best advice: be yourself!
This just sounds a little on the weird side. The main problem is that it sounds gimmicky, and finding the best college for you is too important to treat like a game show. I would stay far away from this kind of thing. It could really turn off your interviewer.
Unless you are looking to be a music major or planning to go into advertising, such an effort is far more apt to undermine your effort than to help you ace the interview. Indeed, such an effort is apt to come off sophomoric and gimmicky. While your musical skills—and perhaps an element of creativity–might be showcased through such an effort, they can probably be best highlighted through other means. Rather, you should remember that the interview is a forum that offers an opportunity for an applicant to add a human dimension to the other more sterile parts of the application. Don’t let yourself be obscured by a gimmick.
If you have a theme song, the theme is probably YOU, what type of person you are, what you like to do, what you want to do. It can remind you of who you are. Truthfully, I’ve never had a student with a “theme song” (at least not one you could tell an interviewer about!), but it could certainly be helpful, particularly for students interested in the arts.
Well if you can stand on the admission counselors desk and sing like Kelly Clarkson, then you might impress them with your talent.
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