College Interviews Require Students to Think Fast on Their Feet
Posted 24 Dec, 2007
An in-person college interview can provide a big advantage to a student in the college admissions process. After all, it’s difficult for any student to communicate their true personality and essence on an electronic or paper application. If your student is able to interview with an admissions officer or alumnus, I would highly recommend you encourage your student to take advantage of the opportunity. (The only exception would be if your student is super shy or so apprehensive about doing an interview that he or she would be an emotional wreck and not come across well.)
That face-to-face meeting with someone who has some input into the admissions decision can give students an opportunity to show how they shine. Students can also distinguish themselves from the sea of other applicants who are only concocted images in the application reader’s mind. An interview can leave a lasting impression by proving to the interviewer why your student is who the college is seeking out to be part of the next freshman class. Not only can a good interview help your student get in, it may also be that tipping point in getting offered a scholarship or grant!
You can help your student prepare for an interview by gathering a list of sample college interview questions and then conducting a mock interview by randomly asking questions to your child. Not only will this help your student master thinking fast on his or her feet, it will provide you with a fascinating perspective about your teenager!
My son and I recently staged a mock interview in preparation for an interview he had scheduled this past Friday. I learned so much about how he views himself and his world by filling the role of the interviewer. His answers were so inspiring to me! The interview he had on Friday was his first - and he felt it went well. It went well because he prepared by identifying ahead of time which of his personal characteristics he wanted to bring to the interviewer’s attention. But even the best prepared students will be asked a question they couldn’t have possibly prepared for ahead of time. Here’s one my son was asked…
“If you arrived at a party and didn’t know anyone and could choose one out of the following five people to introduce yourself to, which would you choose and why?
1) A “Trekkie” (For those of you not familiar with this term - this refers to a person who is a very dedicated fan of the Star Trek TV show/movies.
2) An intellectual
3) A jock
4) A “hot” chick
5) A musician
My son thought about it for a moment and came up with the following answer for his interviewer:
“I would introduce myself to the hot chick because everyone else would also want to meet her so I could use her to network to meet everyone else at the party!” Now that’s thinking fast on his feet!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
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An in-person college interview can provide a big advantage to a student in the college admissions process. After all, it’s difficult for any student to communicate their true personality and essence on an electronic or paper application. If your student is able to interview with an admissions officer or alumnus, I would highly recommend you encourage your student to take advantage of the opportunity. (The only exception would be if your student is super shy or so apprehensive about doing an interview that he or she would be an emotional wreck and not come across well.)
That face-to-face meeting with someone who has some input into the admissions decision can give students an opportunity to show how they shine. Students can also distinguish themselves from the sea of other applicants who are only concocted images in the application reader’s mind. An interview can leave a lasting impression by proving to the interviewer why your student is who the college is seeking out to be part of the next freshman class. Not only can a good interview help your student get in, it may also be that tipping point in getting offered a scholarship or grant!
You can help your student prepare for an interview by gathering a list of sample college interview questions and then conducting a mock interview by randomly asking questions to your child. Not only will this help your student master thinking fast on his or her feet, it will provide you with a fascinating perspective about your teenager!
My son and I recently staged a mock interview in preparation for an interview he had scheduled this past Friday. I learned so much about how he views himself and his world by filling the role of the interviewer. His answers were so inspiring to me! The interview he had on Friday was his first - and he felt it went well. It went well because he prepared by identifying ahead of time which of his personal characteristics he wanted to bring to the interviewer’s attention. But even the best prepared students will be asked a question they couldn’t have possibly prepared for ahead of time. Here’s one my son was asked…
“If you arrived at a party and didn’t know anyone and could choose one out of the following five people to introduce yourself to, which would you choose and why?
1) A “Trekkie” (For those of you not familiar with this term - this refers to a person who is a very dedicated fan of the Star Trek TV show/movies.
2) An intellectual
3) A jock
4) A “hot” chick
5) A musician
My son thought about it for a moment and came up with the following answer for his interviewer:
“I would introduce myself to the hot chick because everyone else would also want to meet her so I could use her to network to meet everyone else at the party!” Now that’s thinking fast on his feet!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe by Email
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