College Interviews: How Much They Matter and How to Prepare

College interviews often cause anxiety and stress for applicants and parents alike. It may seem like a very subjective component of the application that can dictate if a student receives an acceptance or a rejection. Interviews may seem tricky to prepare for and difficult due to the high pressure aspect of them. A little anxiety surrounding the process is normal and can actually lead to a better interview, but too much can cause the opposite to occur.

Worries regarding the interview process are and are not warranted. Interview policies vary by college. Some, such as Yale, conduct evaluative interviews with alumni or students by invitation only; others, such as Northwestern, no longer offer alumni interviews. At colleges including Yale and Duke, not being offered an interview is not a disadvantage. For the vast majority of top colleges, the interview will not make or break an application. If one goes very well it will make an applicant look more attractive and a bad one can raise an eyebrow, but at the end of the day it is only one component of the overall application. The most common example of a bad interview is one in which an applicant is too nervous to respond effectively to questions. This is not great, but will not cause an immediate rejection; however, if an interviewee demonstrates a lack of character or a bad personality trait, then the interview can put an application in jeopardy. The latter rarely occurs and can be prevented, so it should not be a concern but a consideration. That being said, interviews are still important and should be taken seriously. The only way to increase the chances of having a great interview is through preparation.

Preparation takes time and effort. Practicing answers to questions that may be asked is a necessity. Furthermore, before an actual interview, an applicant should have a mock interview with another person. This could be a family member, friend, or someone they do not know that well. The latter may provide a more realistic experience. A good interview should flow like a conversation. When asked a question, the interviewee should answer with detail, but should not talk the entire time. Asking follow-up questions to the interviewer after answering is a way to establish a conversational flow. It is important to note that some interviewers prefer to ask a bunch of questions and then have applicants ask them questions about the college and their experience at the end. If this is the case, the interviewee should try to comfortably ask questions ever so often, but save the majority for the end. Before an interview, developing a strong list of questions to ask the interviewer is necessary. The interview is not just for the college to learn something but also for the student.

Demonstrating genuine interest in the college throughout the interview is a must. Coming with several strong, specific questions for the interviewer can indicate this. Do not, however, ask too many questions that draw out the interview. Regarding the length of an interview, many last 30 to 60 minutes; Yale and Duke, for example, both describe interviews in that range.

College interviews are offered by many selective colleges, though not all, and should be seen as an opportunity to improve an application and learn something new about the college of interest. Remember, interviews are only one part of an application, so time spent worrying should be replaced by preparation.