Gearing up for Admissions Interviews: Advise from an insider!

As Seniors are finalizing their interview sessions and Juniors are beginning their introductions to the process, more and more the interview is taking center stage for students and colleges that offer this option as part of the application process.

I have signed up for many admissions officer’s blogs around the country to keep myself up on the latest views and opinions of college admissions first hand.  I strongly encourage you to register with these blogs once you have done your research and committed to your “best-fit” list of colleges.

These blogs often share important tips and strategies for navigating the complicated and exciting college application process.  Below is a well crafted perspective on the importance of being prepared for your admissions interview with some great tips on how to edge our your competition and in the process learn something about yourself and your perspective college!

Taken from the Engage blog site of Furman University, posted by Laura Simmons an Admissions officer for Furman:

“This afternoon, in a Panera just a couple of miles away, I spent a few minutes with a student I wish you all could meet.  She could give lessons on the right way to conduct a college search.  As she sipped tea and talked about her personal commitment to more conscious living, she shared her interest in advancing sustainability for all of us.  She wants to trade the hard-driving, high-achieving atmosphere in her very fine magnet program for a place where she can find her calling and follow her passions.  She hopes to sing in college with students whose devotion to music matches her own.  On a pilgrimage to Costa Rica, she opened her eyes to the world and wants to study away in college too.  No wonder she has Furman on her short list!

Most students focus on a few basic criteria in their college search:  size, location, how many people pack the football stadium six Saturdays a year.  I meet those students every day.  Occasionally, like today, I meet those students who have asked themselves what’s important to them and what they want from their college experiences.  They focus on what they will contribute and what they will gain from time on campus.

You can enrich your college search by taking some time to realistically assess your strengths, weaknesses, needs, wants, likes and dislikes.  Ask yourself questions.

Do you have a favorite academic subject?

Are there classes you don’t enjoy?

What do you do well?

How much interaction do you need in a classroom?

Where do you like to go when you have free time?

Are there any careers that interest you?

Think about what you want from your college experience.

Do you want more people like you or new and different people?

Do you want to be one of the stronger students in your classrooms?

Do you want specific career training?

Do you hope to play a sport, sing in a choir, or pursue any particular activity? 

Do you want to be completely on your own or near family?

Do you need one special academic program?

Knowing who you are and what you want will make your college choice easier.  And, by the way, will make you a more desirable candidate for any college.  I can’t wait to get my hands on the application of my new favorite student!”

That new favorite student will be YOU when you have done your homework and prepared well for the admissions interview!

As part of the COLLEGEprep process, we spend lot’s of time discovering your passions, matching them with like colleges and preparing you for your interview to ensure you deliver your “best self” during the admissisons interview!