Practice Interviews

Warming Up for the Hot Seat

Before you do the real thing, try a practice interview. Invite a family member or friend to practice with you, each of you taking turns as the interviewer and the interviewee. That way, you'll become accustomed to both asking and answering questions.

Don't Memorize Responses

Do have some starting points for your answers and questions. Don't memorize a speech so you sound like a robot, though. Preserve your spontaneity and your ability to respond to the interviewer as a real, live person.

Know What to Expect

Very often, the questions asked by interviewers are very similar from one college to the next. The admissions staff just wants to make sure that you can speak intelligently about your grades, scores, and goals. They'll ask questions like:

Why do you want to attend our college?
What will you contribute?
What courses have you enjoyed most?
Are your grades an accurate reflection of your potential?
Which of your activities is most rewarding and why?
What has been your biggest achievement?
What's your opinion on [fill in current event]?
How did you spend last summer?
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
What's the most difficult situation you've faced?
If you could change one thing about your high school, what would it be?

Stay Cool When Questions Get Tough

"Can you conduct this entire interview without using the word 'I'?" There isn't any way to prepare for a curve-ball question except to recognize that the possibility exists. If you get frazzled, say "I'll have to think that over. Is it okay if I write you about this?" Remember, it's much better to say, "I don't know" than to pretend to be an expert.

Your First Interview

Consider scheduling your first interview at a college where your chances of admission are high, a safety school. This gives you a taste of the real thing without the pressure. Save the interviews at your reach colleges for when you've gained experience and confidence.