Thirty or forty years ago, it was not unusual for competitive colleges, universities and graduate schools to require all applicants to complete an interview with a staff member (or alumni volunteer).
Now, far fewer educational institutions insist on an interview, although a significant number do. And, although other institutions do not use the word "interview", they often rate applicants after conversing with them. At some institutions, even students participate in applicant evaluations.
Applicants would be smart to assume that everything they say to any institutional representative may impact his/her admission. That being the case, these basic tips can serve you well.
1. Never indicate that a college or graduate school is not your first choice: if you do, you may put your chance of admission at risk.
2. Do not express doubt about continuing your education. Graduate school applicants should not express doubt about wanting to pursue the degree program in question. For grad school applicants, expressing doubt can be the kiss of death.
3. Dress well for all meetings with institutional representatives. If you think dress does not matter, you are wrong.
4. Research the institutions to which you are applying. Never ask a question about a college or university which you could have found an answer to in a few minutes on the institution's website; it will make you appear lazy and/or not very interested.
5. Do not say anything to a student tour guide, discussion leader or interviewer you would not say to the Dean of Admissions.
6. There are good thank you notes and there are generic thank you notes. Send good ones to everyone you meet with for any length of time; admissions personnel, students, and faculty.
7. If a parent or spouse accompanies you on a campus visit...which in itself is fine...be sure they understand that they should never answer for you or sing your praises to institutional representatives. Nothing is more obnoxious.
8. Have a few well-conceived questions prepared to underline your interest. The critical phrase here is "well-conceived".
9. Do not hard sell yourself. Humility and self-effacement are valued in the academic community.
10. Meet with representatives of your top choices only after you have had practice with a few of your back up choices. It's a good strategy.
Essentially, successful interviewing is a combination of good manners, well developed listening skills, reasonable analytical ability, and practice. You can do it.
Now, far fewer educational institutions insist on an interview, although a significant number do. And, although other institutions do not use the word "interview", they often rate applicants after conversing with them. At some institutions, even students participate in applicant evaluations.
Applicants would be smart to assume that everything they say to any institutional representative may impact his/her admission. That being the case, these basic tips can serve you well.
1. Never indicate that a college or graduate school is not your first choice: if you do, you may put your chance of admission at risk.
2. Do not express doubt about continuing your education. Graduate school applicants should not express doubt about wanting to pursue the degree program in question. For grad school applicants, expressing doubt can be the kiss of death.
3. Dress well for all meetings with institutional representatives. If you think dress does not matter, you are wrong.
4. Research the institutions to which you are applying. Never ask a question about a college or university which you could have found an answer to in a few minutes on the institution's website; it will make you appear lazy and/or not very interested.
5. Do not say anything to a student tour guide, discussion leader or interviewer you would not say to the Dean of Admissions.
6. There are good thank you notes and there are generic thank you notes. Send good ones to everyone you meet with for any length of time; admissions personnel, students, and faculty.
7. If a parent or spouse accompanies you on a campus visit...which in itself is fine...be sure they understand that they should never answer for you or sing your praises to institutional representatives. Nothing is more obnoxious.
8. Have a few well-conceived questions prepared to underline your interest. The critical phrase here is "well-conceived".
9. Do not hard sell yourself. Humility and self-effacement are valued in the academic community.
10. Meet with representatives of your top choices only after you have had practice with a few of your back up choices. It's a good strategy.
Essentially, successful interviewing is a combination of good manners, well developed listening skills, reasonable analytical ability, and practice. You can do it.
About the Author:
Daniel Z. Kane is a veteran educator who has worked as a school counselor and a university dean. He also contributes to websites designed to help adults select
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