Tips for a Successful College Interview

An interview is an opportunity for a school to get to know you. It is also an important opportunity for you to understand and learn about the institution you are interviewing with. You should be actively involved in the interview in order to evaluate if the school is a good match.

Before the Interview

  • Do your research. Find out about the institution.
  • Prepare questions. Make sure you have questions that demonstrate you have done your research and ask for clarification or depth.  Don’t ask questions about readily accessible information.
  • Conduct a practice interview with a parent, teacher, or friend.
  • Check to make sure you know the location of the interview and the name of the person who will be conducting the interview.
  • Double check the time to be sure your arrive on time.
  • Dress in neat, appropriate clothing.
  • Be sure to turn off all electronics.

During the Interview

  • Leave parents in waiting room. They will have time to ask questions, but this is your interview.
  • Ask your questions. This is your opportunity to get information.
  • Make good eye contact.
  • Avoid giving one-word responses to questions. Elaborate on your answers. Give examples.
  • Relax and be yourself.
  • Shake hands and thank the person for his/her time.

After the Interview

  • Write a thank you note to the person who interviewed you within one week.
  • Record notes on your impressions of the school/workplace.
  • Update your list of questions to ask and expect.