Interview Tips

How To Prepare For Your College Interview

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FOR STUDENTS FEELING the pressure of college admissions interviews, a little preparation can go a long way.

Experts say students should come into the interview with a sense of what they'll be asked and bring some questions of their own. This preparation allows the student a chance to impress the interviewer while also learning more about the institution and whether it might be a good fit.

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If you’re getting ready to take a standardized test, you probably know that you should study beforehand. Maybe you learn some common test strategies and time management techniques. You might take practice tests and make a study plan. There’s no doubt that preparing for a standardized test beforehand gives you a clear advantage.

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Did you know that the same is true of the college interview? While you may not know the exact questions that you’ll be asked and you might not be able to purchase a college interview prep book at the local book store, there are still plenty of ways that you can ensure you’re as prepared as possible to ace your college interview.

It might seem like overkill to prepare for the college interview some months in advance, but there are a few things you can get started on pretty early. In fact, by starting your preparations well in advance, you make sure that you don’t fall prey to last minute, frenzied prep. You’ll also be more confident, and this will shine through during your interview itself.

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You can begin by reviewing your transcript/WASCE results to make sure that you are familiar with what the interviewer may know about you in advance.

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Finally, start to think about how you will answer some common interview questions. Rehearse your responses for these types of questions in advance in order to maximize the opportunities they afford. 

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The week before your college interview, you should continue to rehearse for common interview questions while also starting to focus in on some of the more minute details.

 

For starters, now is the time to plan what you are going to wear. While it doesn’t need to be a five-piece suit, it should be something polished that indicates your respect for the interviewer.

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In the week before your interview, make sure you have something appropriate to wear. If not, try to go shopping or borrow something from a friend. Try on the outfit to make sure that it fits and use a mirror to make sure that there any stains or tears visible. Make sure that the outfit is clean, fits well, and is ready to go at least four days in advance in case you need to make some alternate plans.

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A week before the interview is also the time to plan how you will get there. If you need to take public transportation, try to take a practice trip so that you know exactly where to go and have a good idea of how long it will take you to get there. If you’ll be getting a ride from a friend or family member, confirm with them in advance and make sure that you have good directions to where you need to go.

 

Finally, the week before your college interview is a great time for a practice interview. Ask your guidance counselor, a trusted mentor, or even a friend or family member if they’d be willing to do a practice interview with you.

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On The Day Before Your College Interview

 

During the ninth hour, you’re going to focus on the necessities much in the same way that you would the day before your interview.

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For starters, you need to practice good self-care to make sure that you aren’t tired, hungry, or mentally exhausted by the time you arrive.

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The night before the interview, confirm your transportation to the interview.

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Set out your clothes and your bag so that everything is ready to go. You’ll want to pack a folder with a few copies of your resume, a water bottle, and a notebook and writing utensil just in case. Making sure that everything is ready to go the night before means you’ll have less to worry about the morning of your interview.

 

Before you go to bed, set an alarm and a back up alarm. It’s also a good idea to make sure that someone in your house knows when you need to be awake, so that they can help you out should your alarm fail or you sleep through it.

 

Finally, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. This might be difficult if you’re feeling nervous or worried, but practice some relaxation techniques like reading a book or taking a hot shower before bed. Allow plenty of time to fall asleep and rest assured that you’ve done everything possible to set yourself up for success.