Interviews 

Interviews can often seem to be a very stressful part of the college application experience, but they don’t have to be! The college interview is simply a way to get to know you better, and you might not even have one (depending on whether they are required or not for the college you are applying to). However, even if you are not offered an interview, you are always welcome to ask for one, which the college may be able to provide, and hopefully, could only help your chances of admission. 

What is a college interview like? 

College interviews can differ greatly depending on where you live and who is interviewing you. An interview is typically about a 30 minute – 1 hour conversation conducted with an admissions representative or alumni of the college you are applying to. You will most likely meet in a public place like a coffeeshop, but if you live far away and there are no individuals nearby who can interview you, you may be asked to do a Skype or phone interview. They are often very casual and can be a helpful way for you to simply learn more about the college that you’re applying to! 

Use the time at the interview to talk more about your hobbies and what you wrote about in your application, as well as highlight any other important facts about yourself that you may not have had the chance to do in your application. 

What should I do to prepare for my interview? 

In order to prepare for your interview, remember the most important thing: just to breathe and be yourself! Your interviewer simply wants to get to know you better, and to hear about why you are truly interested in the college. 

If you are doing an in-person interview, be sure to dress nicely and professionally. If you are doing a phone or Skype interview, make sure you are in a quiet, well-lit area with a good working internet connection. Your parent or guardian should not be present during the interview, although it can be helpful to practice with them or a teacher beforehand! 

What are some typical interview questions? 

According to Princeton Review, here are some typical interview questions! 

1. Why do you want to attend this college/university? 

2. What’s your favorite subject in high school? 

3. What do you want to study in college? 

4. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in class? 

5. What are three interesting things about you that I wouldn’t know from your application? 

6. What’s an example of an obstacle, a failure, or a mistake that you learned from? 

Written by Cora Neudeck, Harvard College ‘19