Questions Asked On College Interviews

The college interview is an important part of the college application process at many US colleges and
universities. Although it is rarely the deciding factor in whether an applicant will get admitted to or rejected from a specific school, the college admissions interview is a great opportunity for candidates to showcase themselves, share information that are not available in their application file, discuss their expectations about the school and the program, and talk about their future career plans and goals. This is where you will be tested if you can communicate well and express your thoughts in a confident manner. Combine that with an impressive application letter, you'll have a very good chance of being admitted into your dream college.


Conducted by a faculty member, admissions committee member, an alumnus, or a current student in
the school, interviews give candidates a chance to meet with someone who represents the college. Most college interview questions are meant to help them and the interviewer find out if they are a good match to the school and the program.



Common Interview Questions

Below are some typical questions asked during college interviews that can help you prepare and think

about your answers ahead of time.

 Why are you considering this college?

 What makes you think that this college would be a good match?

 Where else are you applying and why?

 What do you hope to major in?

 What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?

 How do you define “success?”

 What have you liked or disliked about your school?

 How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?

 What newspapers and magazines do you read?

 What books not required for school have you read recently?

 What television shows do you watch?

 Tell us about your family.

 How do you spend a typical afternoon after school? Evening? Weekend?

 What extracurricular activities have you found most satisfying?

 What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

 What has been your proudest achievement so far?

 If you could talk with anyone living (or deceased) person, whom would it be and why?

 What events have been crucial in your life?

 What is the most important thing you’ve learned in high school?

 What mark do you feel you’ve left on your school?

 What do you want to get out of your college experience?

 What makes you unique?

 What could you contribute to our college community?

 Talk about a significant challenge you have encountered.

 Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your transcript?

 What is your greatest passion?

 How would your friends describe you?

 If you had high school to do over again, what might you have done differently?

 What are your goals for your senior year?


Other Pointers to Remember

Different schools have different interview questions and guidelines. You can be interview either by one school representative or a panel of interviewers.  There is no official set of interview questions, as well.

All you can do is to anticipate what they could probably ask you, and how you will respond to their
questions. Feeling nervous is normal, but you have to contain your emotions during the interview. It is important that you be confident and show that you are well-prepared for the interview and are ready to take on whatever is in store for you during the entirety of the college admissions process.