As the academic front becomes more competitive, you must prepare harder for college interviews. While the scope of grades and extracurriculars is important, interviews allow students to communicate with the admission committee and define themselves beyond their academic performance. The interview can make or break your chances of getting in.  

Preparing for a college interview can be nerve-wracking for many students. The academic pressure and competitive environment can make things difficult. But it doesn’t have to be such a daunting experience. With the right preparation, you can approach the interviews confidently and with ease. 

This blog will shed light on how you can efficiently prepare for college interviews while increasing your chances of making the cut. 

Research the College

Before stepping into the interview, take time to research the college you have applied for. Look up their website and understand their mission, values, and environment. It can help you tailor your responses during the interview according to the college’s priorities, depicting your interest. One more thing you can do is figure out who will be interviewing that day. But how’s that possible? Reach out to your seniors and pass-outs – they have much more to offer than this. 

With a name, you will know what to say and – most importantly – what not to. 

Practice Makes Perfect

While every college interviewer asks unique questions, some things remain the same in each interview. The best approach to tackle commonly asked interview questions is to practice them with a friend or a family member. This can help you answer those questions with prompt responses. You can also use this opportunity to create a positive first impression, depicting how much you care about getting into your college. 

Know What to Ask

Most college interviews come to an end with the interviewer asking if you have any questions for them. Students usually take the easy way by saying “No, thank you,” but here’s what you can do to stand out. Prepare for quick and relevant questions about college academics, campus life, and what you can expect as a student. You can also ask questions about the college’s legacy and the campus faculty. You need to be vocal and articulate during the interview. Remember, interviews should be conversations, not interrogations, and neither should they be one-sided.  

Get Help from a Counselor

No matter what your perspective on college admissions, the actual pressure, and struggle of making it into the right college start at the time of the application. You do not have to go at it alone. Pushing yourself goes only so far. Seek help to prepare for the interview – this is where the role of a counselor comes into the picture. They help you prepare with sample questions, what to wear, how to speak, etc. But you should start preparing for your college applications in advance – last-minute preparations are not how it works. 

Counselors can play a key role in helping students understand the dynamics of different colleges. Getting help from an experienced counselor can turn things around for you. They can help you not only with the college interviews but with the applications as well. With the right guidance and material, students can find the right college and build the profile the college seeks. 

Are you struggling to choose the right college? Are your parents weighing you down with their expectations? Or you simply cannot seem to make a decision? There’s no need to panic. All you need to do is pick up a copy of You’re In!: College Planning for High School Students. In it, author Deborah Pointer guides you through applying to colleges so you can make the right choice and secure your future.