College interviews can be a great chance for you and a college to get to know each other better. Interviews are generally beneficial to both the student and the college. For students, interviews are an opportunity to learn more about a school, ask any lingering questions, and (in the case of alumni interviews) hear what the student experience is like on campus. Below, we’ve provided a list of commonly asked questions in college interviews so that you can anticipate the kinds of topics you might encounter.
Questions About Your College Experience
- Why are you considering this college?
- Why have you applied to the particular school? (If the institution has multiple colleges)
- What makes you think that this college would be a good match for you?
- How can this college help you achieve your academic and career goals?
- Where else are you applying and why?
- Is there a subject you haven’t studied before that you’re excited to try in college?
- What is the most important factor for you when selecting a college?
- What do you hope to major in?
- What do you hope to gain out of your college experience?
- What could you contribute to our college community?
- Is there something you’d like the admissions office to know that isn’t in your application?
- If you were given unlimited funds to plan an event at our school, what would it be and why?
Questions About Your Personality And Background
- Tell us a little about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
- Tell us about your family.
- What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
- Talk about a significant challenge you have overcome.
- Who do you admire the most?
- If you could talk with anyone,living or deceased, who would it be and why?
- What events have been crucial in your life?
- What makes you unique?
- What is one thing about you that people wouldn’t normally guess?
- What is your greatest passion?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What is your favorite place and why?
- What is something you’ve recently tried for the first time?
- Tell us about a time when you failed.
Questions About Your High School Experience
- What is the most important thing you’ve learned in high school?
- What have you liked or disliked about your high school?
- What have you most enjoyed studying and why?
- How do you learn best?
- Who is your favorite teacher and why?
- What mark do you feel you’ve left on your school?
- Talk about a time you led a team or a project.
- What has been your proudest achievement so far?
- Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your transcript?
- If you had high school to do over again, what might you do differently?
- What are your goals for your senior year?
Questions About Your Future Plans
- What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
- How can this school help prepare you for your future career?
- How do you define “success”?
- What is your ideal career?
- Who is a role model in your field?
- What would you do if you didn’t attend college this year?
- How would you like to be remembered?
Questions About Extracurriculars
- How do you spend a typical afternoon or evening after school?
- What extracurricular activities have you found most satisfying?
- What extracurricular activities do you hope to get involved in at our school?
- Do you have any memorable experiences from working on a team?
- What did you do this past summer?
- Which of your activities has had the deepest impact on you?
- How have you left a mark on your community?
Questions About Your Interests
- What newspapers, magazines, podcasts or blogs do you engage with?
- What books–not required for school–have you read recently?
- What television shows do you watch?
- Who is your favorite fictional character?
- Who would you want to play the role of you in the movie of your life?
- What is your favorite food and why?
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- What current event are you most passionate about?
- Do you have a personal hero?
- What is a topic you can give a five-minute presentation on right this second?
Don’t forget to prepare questions to ask the interviewer as well. If they’re an alumni, you can ask them about their experience at the school. If you’re being interviewed by an admissions representative, this can be an opportunity to learn more about what the college looks for in a student. Either way, it’s best to appear for an interview having prepared answers to commonly asked questions.
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