You should contact the college admissions office via email and ask to be interviewed. Sometimes this will take place before you actually send the application to the school, sometimes it will take place afterwards. If possible, try to have the interview with an admissions officer at the school but if it is not possible, you may be able to have one on Skype. Some schools also conduct interviews locally using their alumni network. The interview is your chance to demonstrate interest in attending the school and to provide a personal perspective to your application file. You will meet (either face-to-face or virtually) with your interviewer and be asked various questions about your interests and activities and why you want to attend the school. in turn, you should have a chance to ask questions about the college.
Schools offer a range of interviews and their value and purpose vary as well. There are alumni interview, there are staff interviews and there are campus interviews. They can be a part of the application process or they can be a part of scholarship competitions. Some are aimed at learning about the applicant while others are simply opportunities for an applicant to learn more about the school. Some schools do not do them at all while others offer plenty of opportunities. In the ever changing landscape of college admissions, interviews are one of the most variable aspects of the process.
Most colleges do not require interviews and many do not even offer them, but if you can have one it is usually a good idea. It shows significant interest in a college and gives the admissions office a face and a personality to put with an application, in addition to giving you an opportunity to have your specific questions addressed.
interviews are required by many selective colleges as part of admisisons process. however, if it is conducted on campus, the admisisons counselor will ask the questions and provide the notes for the student’s file. if it is conducted outside the campuse in most cases, someone else appointed will ask the question, that’s the tricky part. Interview has little impact on college admissions in my view, however, students should prepare for the interview with resume and practice.
The interview may occur in person, via phone, skype, on campus, or off campus. You may be interviewed by an admission representative, alum, or student. Arrive on time, offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, dress business casual, and send a thank you afterward. Be prepared for their questions by thinking about your responses. Don’t sound scripted, but be sure you have a chance to include points not covered in your paper application. When they ask you for any questions, make sure you are prepared with ones that you couldn’t find the answer to on your own. The interview is an opportunity for both you and the school to determine if the “fit” feels right.
No colleges require interviews and many large schools just do not have the man power to handle interviewing the thousands of students who might wish for one. Smaller colleges, who are more focused on holistically reviewing students and building a congenial freshman class want to interview potential students. It also offers admissions officers a chance to convince students to apply. When you call a college to ask for the times of the information sessions and tours, that is the best time to also inquire if the college offers interviews and if you could schedule one at that time. Many schools only offer alumni interviews with folks who live in your community. While they may not “count” as much as an on campus interview- it still shows colleges that you are serious about applying.
Some colleges don’t have any, but for those that do they must be arranged in advance. There are: on campus, off campus, interviews w/alums, students, and/or admissions staff.
Interviews vary from school to school but there are some important things to remember no matter where you are interviewing: 1) The interview should be a conversation. No interviewer wants to just fire questions at you without any kind of dialogue. Make sure you are prepared to back up your responses with more than just “because”; 2) You should be ready to ask some questions, too! By asking questions about the school you are demonstrating your genuine interest in the school and its offerings; 3) Dress appropriately! This doesn’t mean you need to buy a tux or a new evening gown but remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression…you need to decide what you’d like that impression to be; 4) Finally, make sure to thank the person interviewing you both before you leave and then perhaps a quick email or letter when you get home.
Here is my video response to the question.
Interviews can work in a variety of ways. Interviews can be offered by students or adults. They can be evaluative or informational. They can occur on or off campus.
For schools where the interview is optional, the applicants need to contact the admissions office to request and schedule an interview. For schools where the interview is mandatory, the admissions office will contact the student to set up a time and place.
An interview can happen in several different environments, your school, a coffee shop, or the college itself. Admission officers give the interviews that mean the most to the admission committee. Alumni interviews can vary from meeting with someone wonderful and meeting with someone who is not very nice. When you can interview with the college admission counselor, do it!
The interview will be setup based on the individual colleges preference. But, in general you will meet with an admission professional on campus. They are trying to get to know more about you as a person, so I would suggest that you try to be yourself. Try to bring new information if possible and not talk about things that you detailed on your application because they will have most likely read your application already. In some cases you will meet with an alumni or student. These are really just about a feeling that the alumni or student gets. They won’t have read your application so you can talk about things that are already on your application. This is a time that it is ok to brag on yourself. Let them know why you are great and why you love their school. Do your research because all three options will know tons about the school.
Usually the interviewer will contact you first. When he/she does, be sure to email them back with a sentence or two about yourself, why you’re interested or excited about the school, and attach your resume, whether they ask for it or not. Include a note that says something like, “Attached, please find my resume for a little more information on what I’m interested in.” Don’t wait too long before responding–email or call them back within a day or so to show that you’re really excited about the school.
You must schedule an interview at the admissions office in advance. You will then speak to an admissions officer for about half an hour. He or she will ask you questions about your experiences in school and with extra-curricular activities. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you have about the school and its admissions process. Then the officer will come out and speak with your parents and answer any questions they might have.
Some schools use college interviews as part of the selection process. If you want to ace your interview and get accepted into the college of your choice, it is a good idea to practice the interview beforehand. If possible, get a friend or family member to sit down with you for a practice college interview. This will get you used to asking and answering questions.
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