The College Interview: What to Know and How to Prepare

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE INTERVIEW IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS?

The conversation around college admissions sometimes gives the impression that an interview is a crucial component of the application process for every applicant. The truth is a little more nuanced. While some universities do consider acceptance interviews a crucial component of their process, they are certainly in the minority. (Read the court documents here to get the inside details on Harvard's admissions process and the weight placed on the interview) Just 22% of colleges believe that admission interviews are "considerably or moderately important" to their decision-making process, according to a recent "State of College Admissions Report" from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) surveying colleges and universities on this exact topic. 78% of universities place little to no weight on the interview when making an admissions decision.

Even for universities that conduct interviews, it is crucial to go to their website and go through any extensive information they may have regarding interviews and their function in the admissions process. By looking up and analyzing the most recent Common Data Set information for the college of your choice online, you can further validate the precise significance that the interview plays in the admissions process.

"Informational" interviews are provided by many institutions. Informational interviews are a great way to get to know a student, alum, or—less frequently—an admissions official, but they are not taken into account when reviewing applications or making decisions. The interview will only be taken into consideration during the selection process if institutions explicitly state that it is "evaluative." Many colleges expressly state that a student's application will not be considered complete without an interview because access to interviews can be restricted and schools cannot guarantee that every applicant will have the chance to participate. Even in situations when an interview may occasionally be employed in the review process, these institutions make it very clear that missing the chance will not affect the application.

HOW TO GET AN INTERVIEW

Numerous universities have reexamined the interview's place in the admissions process in light of the huge growth in applications. Columbia University declared in the summer of 2023 that interviews would no longer be taken into account during the admissions process and would not be available going forward. Brown University stopped conducting student interviews in 2022 and instead invited applicants to add a two-minute video introduction to their application as an optional step. (See a great example of a Brown Intro video from one of our admitted students here) When Brown last conducted interviews for the 2019–20 application round, almost 8,000 candidates who asked for one were not given one. One of the few universities besides Harvard that views the interview as "important" in the admissions process is Wake Forest University, which gives applicants the choice of doing an interview or sending in a video introduction, both of which have equal weight.

Examining the interview information on the college's applications website in detail is the best approach to understanding what to expect. Now, most universities merely schedule interviews following the submission of an application by the student. Some universities, like Harvard and MIT, will automatically consider you for an interview in a "don't call us, we'll call you" manner, while other universities need applicants to express interest by filling out an interview request form on their application portal. Going back to Wake Forest, policies stipulate that requests for interviews or video submissions must be made no later than five days after the application is submitted. It is therefore beneficial to be aware of the details that can only be gleaned from your research on college websites.

All of this emphasizes the significance of two essential actions: thoroughly study the information on the admissions website as soon as possible, and pay close attention to the emails you receive from the college, and check them regularly. After applying, set up each college that offers an applicant portal.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT?

If you are getting ready for an evaluation interview, you should be prepared to go over a few crucial points from your narrative. The alumni interviewer does not have and will not have access to your college application--so you are starting from a blank slate. Have a "tell me about yourself" introduction ready to go. Be ready to talk about your experiences in high school, your interests in academia and other fields, how you spend your time, how you lead and participate in your community, and how you evaluate your abilities. Most significant, though, is that you should be prepared to talk about your unique, in-depth interest in the college, why it fits with your values and ambitions, how you want to interact with the community, and which academic courses and experiences excite you. It's not necessary to memorize every statistic or every page on the website, but you will need to research to discuss in a relaxed, non-rehearsed manner how your passions, learning preferences, and interests will directly fit into the overall picture of campus life.

When the interviewer finally asks you to ask them a question, be prepared with a few unique questions of your own. These should be associated with your own viewpoint, pursuits, and scholarly passions that you are unable to locate through internet searches. You may also inquire about the interviewer's background as a student, graduate, or admissions officer. What aspects of the community do they find most endearing? What particular event or custom on campus helped them feel like they were "home"? Recall that you share a passion for this college with the interviewer. A great conversation makes for a fantastic interview. You are prepared if you've thought about these subjects in advance. Take a deep breath; asking for a moment to consider your answer doesn't mean you're unprepared; rather, it shows reflection. Your objective is to unwind as much as possible and establish a sincere connection.

The purpose of Education Evolution is to assist you in creating a strategy that eliminates the feeling of being overwhelmed, enables you to become the greatest version of yourself, and presents you in the best possible light for your applications and admissions process. Email me now to set up an appointment and get prepped!