College Interview Prep
Many schools interview prospective students as a part of the application process. While your application will hinge more heavily your GPA and resume, doing well in an interview is a huge boost to your application.
Even if a school doesn’t require an interview as a part of their application process, many will still allow you to schedule an interview either at the school or in your hometown. If you have the chance to do so, we recommend it! Even if the interview is not required, it can make your application stronger. Check out our college admissions coaching program to see how Bumo can help you each step of the way!
Be Ready To Respond To The Common College Interview Questions
Most colleges ask the same set of questions. Think ahead of time about how you will answer each of these very common questions:
Why do you want to go to our school?
What is your favorite class in high school or academic subject?
What other interests do you have, or what do you do during your free time?
What major or field of study do you want to pursue in college?
What are three things about you that we wouldn’t know from your application?
How do you see yourself contributing to our school?
What are some of your strengths?
What are some of your weaknesses?
What is your favorite book?
Tell me about a time you encountered failure or had to overcome an obstacle.
Share Specific Examples
When answering questions, use specific examples. If you are asked why you want to go to the school, be ready to list specific clubs, faculty, or opportunities that interest you. If you are sharing about an area of interest you have, share about a project you did or perhaps how you found that interest in the first place.
Prepare Great Questions
You will have a chance to ask your own questions. Don’t hold out for hope that you will think of something in the moment! Have a great question or two ready to go before the interview. Remember, a great interview question goes beyond what you could have just googled about the school at home. Here are some questions you could consider asking:
“What advice do you have for me as an incoming freshman to your school?”
“What do you wish you had known when you were a freshman here?”
“If you could change or improve one thing about the school, what would it be?”
“What are some internship or study abroad opportunities that have happened in the last year?”
Practice!
Few things will prepare you for a college interview as well as practicing with a parent, friend, or school counselor. Those who do a “mock interview” prior to the real thing always say how much it helped them prepare for the interview. You will feel less nervous if you have practiced. Practice for your interview with our experienced college coaches.
Get the Best College Coaching
At Bumo, we have the best college coaches that can guide you through the whole application process including interviews. They have tons of experience working with students and getting them into their dream schools. Check out the biographies of our amazing coaches!
Be Yourself
College interviewers are real people, and they are looking for real people to go to their school. In other words, don’t get too caught up in acting professional and selling yourself that you forget to be yourself. Be relaxed. Be excited. Have fun and smile. YOU are a likable person! Be the best version of yourself, but don’t be afraid to still be yourself.
Looking for more tips? Sign up for our weekly BumoBrain newsletter.
