How to prepare for a college interview

Not all colleges require interviews, but if you applied to one that does, it’s not unusual to be a little intimidated. To ease your nerves, we’ve put together a list of questions you might expect plus seven preparation tips.

As with any big event, the key to being prepared for your college interview lies in knowing what to expect. You don’t want to walk into an interview room without some clue about what you’ll be discussing.

What can you expect at a college interview?

College interviews are usually conducted by a school admission officer or an alumnus. Every interview panel may have a slightly different list of questions to ask interviewees. For example, one college may ask about your favorite book and why you like it, while another may ask about your inspirations or career goals. Here’s a look at some common questions asked during college interviews:

• Why do you want to go to college?
• What do you want to major in? Why?
• Why do you want to attend this college?
• What attributes will you bring to this school?
• What are your plans for after graduation?
• What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in class?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses and how do you compensate for them?
• What’s an example of a mistake or failure you’ve experienced and what did you learn from it?
• What’s the biggest challenge you have overcome in your life? How did you get past it?
• What are three additional interesting things or facts about yourself?

7 tips to prepare you for your college interview

1. Familiarize yourself with common interview questions for this college

A well-prepared college interviewee knows the types of questions the specific institution typically asks. Wondering where to find this valuable information?

Start by reaching out to individuals who have interviewed at the school or are current attendees. Their firsthand experiences can be immensely helpful. Additionally, many students share their interview encounters online, offering valuable insights into what questions to anticipate and how to craft thoughtful responses. These resources can provide you with a roadmap for shaping your own answers effectively.

2. Brainstorm how you’ll answer the question "Tell us about yourself"

You know your interviewer is going to ask you this question in some form or the other so you want to be prepared. Your answer should highlight your skills or achievements while maintaining authenticity. Use this opportunity to convey your passion for your chosen major or what you hope to accomplish after graduating.

Pro Tip: Brainstorm and write out a first draft of this answer. Put it aside and revisit it after a couple of days. Read through what you’ve written and tweak it. Do it a couple more times until you’re satisfied with what your answer conveys.

3. Re-read the course details

When applying for college programs, you likely read through the course curriculum, but given that was probably a few months ago, you may have forgotten the details. At the interview, when you’re asked why you chose a particular program you should be able to highlight some of the main features that stood out to you. To be able to do that confidently, you may need to re-read the details of the course.

Pro Tip: Make a list of program features that stand out to you along with a note of why you liked those aspects most. Is it the course structure, the modules, or something else?

4. Go through the college website

"Why do you want to attend this college?" is among the most commonly asked questions during college interviews. And it is an important one. Interviewers want to make sure you are a good fit for the college and want to get insight into your reasons for choosing that school.

The best way to answer this question confidently is by going through the college website thoroughly. Highlight aspects that stand out to you and what excites you most about attending that particular college. Are you excited about learning from certain professors or being able to use the outstanding research facilities on campus? Are you an accomplished musician and aspire to be a part of the college marching band or orchestra? Pick something that appeals to you most and think about how you’ll convey your excitement.

5. Re-read your application essay or personal statement

Some of the questions interviewers ask will likely refer to the information you provided in your application essay or personal statement. If you’ve sent out multiple college applications, you may have forgotten exactly what you said in each. Re-reading your essay or statement will jog your memory.

Pro Tip: Try and read through your essay objectively and consider what questions someone may want to ask you related to what you’ve written. For example, if you’ve spoken about a hobby you’re passionate about, be prepared to answer questions about it.

6. Set up a few practice interviews

To prepare for a school interview, having practice conversations with an adult can be highly beneficial. During the real thing, your interviewer will likely ask questions based on your answers, so now is a good time to role-play this realistic possibility. This approach can help ease any lingering nervousness so you feel more confident.

7. Know the questions you want to ask

At the end of your interview, you will most likely get asked, "What questions do you have for me?" This is a chance to interview the school. Preparing questions ahead of time will show that you are interested, that you’ve taken time to prepare properly, and that you did research beforehand. Here are a few questions you can have at the ready:

• Can you tell me more about (the academic program you’re interested in)?
• What advice can you offer for incoming students?
• What sets this school/program apart?
• What qualities does this school look for in its students?
• How would you describe the atmosphere of this college/campus?
• What sort of community/campus involvement opportunities are available here?
• If they’re alumni: Why did you decide to attend this college in particular? What did you think of your time during school here?
• A professor or faculty: Why did you decide to work here?
• What traditions does the school have that you enjoy?
• What is something you would change about this college if you had the opportunity?

Things to do the day before the interview

Here are a few tips to help you remain calm and confident the day before your college interview:

• Put all your documents neatly in a folder. Make sure you’ve included your high school transcripts and certificates of accomplishment.
• Choose what outfit you’re going to wear at the interview and neatly lay it out.
• Decide how you’ll get to the interview. If you’re taking public transportation, make sure to choose the route that ensures your timeliness. If you’re driving, make sure you’re familiar with the directions and check the typical traffic patterns at that time. We suggest arriving at least 20 minutes early.
• Go to bed early! Be well-rested and ready to go the next morning.

What if a college only "recommends" an interview?

College interviews are not a requirement of every school's application process. But if your potential school offers one—even if it's only recommended—there are some valid reasons not to skip it. Going to interviews allows you to:

• showcase your personality
• demonstrate your sincere interest in the institution
• provides the admissions committee with additional insights beyond what you convey in your application.

Participating in the interview, even when suggested, can offer a valuable chance to present a more well-rounded picture of yourself to the college.

Preparing for a college interview might feel nerve-wracking, but this is a chance for the interview panel to get to know you and for you to see if the school is the right fit. Be prepared, stay relaxed, and most importantly, be yourself. You've got this!

Now that you're ready to nail that interview, visit the Citizens Student Hub. It has free tools to help you compare award letters, advice to help you make your final decision, and guidance for what comes next.