Your Child's College Interview

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The thought of interviewing for college sends most students into a cold sweat. But you can reassure your nervous teenager: Experts say the interview rarely makes or breaks an applicant. In fact, many colleges no longer even require an admissions interview. Still, scheduling one can be a good idea.

To Know Me Is to Love Me

A face-to-face meeting tells school officials more than words and paper ever could about your child's skills and interests. And it is a chance for your child to find out more about whether the school is right for him. Students also can use the interview to further explain special circumstances, such as an anomaly in grades or time off from school.

Think of the interview as a way to make a connection with someone influential. Interview notes that go into the admissions file could give your child an edge if the college is forced to choose between closely matched applicants. So even if an interview isn't offered, you should encourage your child to request one. The school will be impressed by his initiative.- Experts say the interview rarely makes or breaks an applicant.

Do Your Homework

Take the pressure off by helping your child prepare for the interview with a few simple steps. First, have your child find out what type of interview the school is offering. Some will conduct a traditional interview between the student and an admissions official, but others may offer an interview with other students, with alumni, or a group interview involving many prospective students and even parents. Regardless of the format, the student will want to be prepared, so encourage him to read the college handbook or research the school on the Internet in advance.

Questions, Questions

Officials will be interested to know whether your child can speak intelligently about past academic experience and future goals. They may also ask questions about outside interests and current events. Suggest your child prepare by writing down notes about why he wants to attend the school. You might want to conduct a practice interview, but don't encourage him to memorize answers. The interview should be a conversation—natural and relaxed. These are some questions an interviewer might ask:

Your child should have a few questions in mind he'd like to ask. This will show his interest and enthusiasm and also provide useful information. Encourage him to think of a few things he'd really like to know about the school. He shouldn't ask for information easily available in the college handbook, though, or he risks looking like he didn't come prepared.

Set the Date

The college handbook often lists dates for admissions interviews. Interviews at large universities should be scheduled far in advance, since they may get more requests than they can accommodate. You might encourage your student to interview first at a "safety" or good match school. This will provide practice and confidence for interviews at more selective schools down the road.

What to Wear and What to Bring

Your child should obviously be neat and well dressed, but he doesn't necessarily need to show up in a business suit. You can check with the admissions office for guidance, but the best plan is to wear clothes that are comfortable and make him feel confident. Other good interview practices apply here as well: Your child should look the interviewer in the eye, use the interviewer's name, shake hands firmly, and project energy and interest. He should bring a copy of his high school transcript and a short resume of activities. He can refer to these for detail in discussing past achievements, and the admissions official may ask for them.

Wait in the Wings

It helps to make sure your child knows where the interview will be held and can arrive on time, but unless you are specifically invited, don't plan to attend. Officials usually want to meet with a student one-on-one. If you do accompany your child to campus, you can use the interview time, usually 30-60 minutes, to explore the facilities for yourself. But don't be concerned if the meeting runs long or short; interview times vary and are rarely an indication of the success or failure of the meeting.

What Now?

Before your student sits back, relaxes and kicks his shoes off, he should send a quick thank-you note to his interviewer while the meeting is fresh in his mind. Any follow-up questions can be included in the note. It will be one more indication of your child's enthusiasm, and a reminder of the skills and abilities that make him special.

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