College Interviews

Some colleges require an interview as part of the admissions process. This interview might be with an admission professional or with a designated alumnus. Some colleges encourage prospective applicants to arrange an interview when they visit a campus. Most colleges that are out of the area provide an opportunity for a local interview, however.

For most colleges the interview is optional. Often, the interview has nothing to do with your admissions process and is only to provide an opportunity for you to gather information and ask questions. Be sure to find out the nature of an interview and its impact on admissions.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:

Find out which colleges to which you are applying require an interview. If they require it, it will be part of your admissions portfolio.
If the college requires an interview, find out from the college what the process is. Sometimes they will give you someone to contact and sometimes they will have the interviewer contact you.
Prepare meaningful questions. Think about what you genuinely want to know. Do not try to impress the interviewer with intelligent sounding questions in which you have no interest.
Be prepared to answer personal questions. The purpose for any interview is to get to know you. Like the essay, this is your opportunity to go beyond numbers and test scores and let them know what makes you tick.

DURING THE INTERVIEW:

Wear clothes that are neat and look nice. But, be comfortable.
Arrive on time.
Be yourself! The purpose of the interview is to get to know you – not who you think they want you to be. Answer questions honestly, ask sincere questions.
Be assertive and positive about yourself. Be sure to mention all you have done in and out of school. Do not hesitate to talk– or even boast – about your accomplishments
Be ready to talk. The ideal interview is a conversation with a good exchange of ideas. You want to hold up your end.
Get to know the interviewer. Do not hesitate to ask personal questions. I.e. How was the transition from California? Does the interviewer have a network of friends in the Bay Area? What does the interviewer think are the strongest programs? Did the Career Placement Center help him/her get a job?
Match yourself to the college. If there are characteristics about the college in which you are particularly interested or qualified, emphasize this in the interview. I.e. If the college has a strong social justice emphasis, talk about the 300 hours you have spent working at the homeless shelter.
Prepare and ask relevant and intelligent questions.
Relax!! The more natural the conversation, the more productive the interview will be.
At the end, ask for the business card of the person who interviewed you.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Write a handwritten Thank You note.

Keep in mind that at St. Ignatius, you are used to talking with adults in a fairly comfortable manner. This is a skill that you have developed. So, the interview should be a natural process and minimally threatening. In other words, be respectful, relax and do what you do every day!