The Zinch Report

Here are my final tips for your college interview. Before getting to them, I've been asked when it is advantageous to schedule an interview. This is a personal decision based on your comfort level. If you'd be comfortable in the interview setting, and you think it could advance your chances of getting in, by all means try and set one up. When I was applying to college, I set up interviews at each school that I visited figuring I'd maximize my time. I find interviews fun, challenging, and a great opportunity to share more about myself. If you think it would stress you out and negatively color your day at a college, don't have one.

If you're leaning towards wanting an interview, schedule it well in advance. Interview slots get snatched up quickly so you'll want to be on the ball with this. Ok, now for my last two tips....

5. Ask Questions. Many interviewers leave time at the end of the interview for the prospective student to ask questions. Have a few questions ready. If you do not, it can be interpreted as a lack of interest or apathy. What is best is when questions are asked that stem from pieces of the dialogue that took place during that interview. If, during the interview, you were being asked about your involvement in your school newspaper, ask your interviewer about the campus paper, opportunities to write for it as a first year student, and whether you can get your hands on a copy while you’re on campus. If you were talking about high school sports, ask about school spirit at games, intramural sports, club sports, or whether varsity teams can have walk-ons. If your interviewer is an alumni or current student, ask about his or her experiences, favorite/least favorite aspects of the school. Questions like this show that you’ve been paying attention and that you’re sharp and engaged. Often these sorts of questions are better than canned, generic ones that don't relate to anything you've discussed. If however, you do want to know about things not discussed in the interview, don't be afraid to veer off course. The interviewer just spent half an hour asking you questions, it’s good to be able to fire a couple back. 

6. Follow up. People have different thoughts on following up with interviews. Some believe that thank you notes are an important social grace and are one more way to set yourself apart. Personally, I’d get ‘em, read ‘em and recycle ‘em. I mean, everyone likes getting mail. But will a generic thank you note make or break your chances of acceptance? No. Might the admissions officer be more likely to remember you? Perhaps. Thoughtful, strategic correspondence that reflects a genuine interest and connection can be helpful. But don’t stress it. It’s much less important than people think. All schools conduct interviews differently. Some schools do group interviews and bring a 4-6 students into a room together for the interview. Some schools hire and train rising seniors to conduct the bulk of interviews. Still other schools keep interviews just between admissions officers and applicants. If you’re interviewed by a senior interviewer versus an admissions officer, it doesn’t mean that you’ve somehow been pre-selected, nor does it mean that the weight of your interviewer’s write up is somehow less than what it would’ve been had you met with an admissions officer. 

Bottom line – don’t overthink the little stuff and above all else, crack a smile, show some life, and claim the interview as your own. Be memorable for who you are because rarely is what you do going to set you apart.