The gates of college are waiting for you.
A college admissions interview may seem nerve-wracking, but if you have one scheduled, don't worry! A college interview is an opportunity for you to show the admissions office that you'd be an asset to the college, that you've done research about the college and know why you want to go there, and that you've made good use of your four years in high school and will make good use of your time in college.
Prepare
Do some research on the college and prepare to explain why you'd like to attend. If you're interviewing at a college because the school has great academics, you might mention in your interview that you follow the work of a certain sociology professor or that you've read a history professor's latest published article. If you like the student life there, research some of the clubs so you can mention the ones you plan to join.
Plan Your Outfit
The adage "Dress for the job you want" applies to the college search: Dress for the school you want. If you're visiting a liberal arts college known for its tie-dye shirts, it's not necessary to wear something especially fancy to the interview. If you're interviewing at a college where you've heard students get dressed up for class and football games, you'll want to dress up, too. In most cases, a full suit would be overkill, but jeans are inappropriate. Find a happy medium.
During the Interview
If you feel yourself starting to clam up, remind yourself that the interview is to show the person you're meeting with what a great fit you are for the school. Don't be afraid to name-drop. If you know someone who attended the college, it might be a good idea to bring that up.
Also, you can pause for a moment after the interviewer asks you a question to think about your answer. And if the interviewer is a current student, feel free to ask some appropriate questions about her experience.
After the Interview
Send a thank-you note to the person who interviewed you, telling him that you appreciate him taking the time to meet with you. Personalize it by mentioning something you talked about in the interview. If you realize that there's something you want the interviewer to know that you forgot to bring up in the interview, you can mention it in your note.
Tags: good your, interviewing college, mention your