Best Practises Students Should Adopt To Ace College Interviews

Admissions interviews are an opportunity for universities to get to know applicants better and for applicants to demonstrate their strengths and interest in the university. This becomes particularly important for international applicants given that it provides them with an additional avenue of expressing themselves transparently for evaluation.

Typically, admission interviews are conducted after an initial review of the applicant's application materials and are often used as a final step in the admissions process. Most interviews are presided over by alumni of the university, whose insights are considered by admissions committees whilst deciding admissions decisions for students. Oxford University and Cambridge University are examples of universities where members of the admissions committee directly preside over interviews (as is the norm with scholarship applicants to the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.

Admissions interviews may be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video conference. While it is preferable to attend interviews in person, this option is not feasible for most international students, who participate in interviews through video calls. Each interview is unique, not just because of the purpose or the university, but by the virtue of the unique styles of different interviews: some interviews may be more formal, while others may be more conversational.

During the interview, the interviewer may ask questions about the applicant's academic background, extracurricular activities, and personal interests. They may also ask questions related to the applicant's motivations for applying to the university and how they envision themselves contributing to the campus community. Additionally, the interviewer may ask behavioural questions to assess the applicant's problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. It must be remembered that interviews are two-way interactions. Hence, as much as it is important to provide optimal answers to the questions asked, students should also be prepared to ask some questions from their side too. Not only does this allow for greater clarity in the admissions process, but it also reflects enthusiasm and genuine interest from the student’s side which may go a long way in determining outcomes.

How To Ace College Interviews

It is important for applicants to prepare for their admissions interviews by researching the university, reviewing their application materials, and practising answering potential interview questions. Applicants should also dress appropriately, arrive on time, and be ready to engage in thoughtful conversation with the interviewer. Here are some of the best practices that students can follow to ace interviews for admissions to universities abroad.

Before the Interview

Rigorously research the university: Before your interview, take the time to research the university and learn more about its programs, values, and culture. This will show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the school and are willing to put in the effort to learn more about it. This not just includes aspects about your chosen academic specialisation (things like academic societies, professors, research opportunities) but also more softer issues such as university traditions and culture. Immersing yourself in the university’s culture by reading blogs, student accounts, and other subjective pieces in addition to course-related official information is very important.

Review your application materials: Review your application materials, including your essay and CV, and think about how you can expand upon the information you've already provided in your interview. This will help you demonstrate the depth of your interests and achievements. It is important to ensure that your answers in the interview are aligned with your application. Any major discrepancy can have an adverse impact on admissions outcomes. On the other hand, linearity not just in descriptions but also in narrative helps provide a sense of clarity to the interviewer and enables more impactful conversations.

Practise answering potential questions: Practise answering potential interview questions with a friend, family member, meteor, or admissions counsellor. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident during the interview and preempt pressure points that you can deal with effectively before your interview.

During the Interview

Dress appropriately: Dress appropriately for your interview to make a positive first impression. Choose an outfit that is professional and comfortable. It is best to identify a dress code for the interview (if any) provided by the university. In the absence of the same students should opt in for a professional look that enables them to exude confidence.

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Be punctual: Arrive on time for your interview, preferably a few minutes early, to demonstrate your respect for the interviewer's time. This is particularly important for international students who attend interviews virtually through video calls. Given the pervasive issues in connecting to video calls and ensuring smooth interactions, students should test the video call link 10-15 minutes prior to the commencement of the interaction to ensure that everything is working smoothly and glitches are minimised or avoided during the main interaction.

Be confident and enthusiastic: Show the interviewer that you are confident and enthusiastic about the university and your potential to contribute to the community. Smile, make eye contact, and engage in active listening to demonstrate your enthusiasm. This is specifically important when answering open-ended questions like “Tell me About Yourself”. Confidence and clarity about one’s personality and objectives in addition to general enthusiasm about the process go a long way in influencing interviewees positively.

Admissions interviews provide a valuable opportunity for applicants to showcase their strengths and enthusiasm for the university.

Be authentic: Be authentic in your responses and avoid trying to give the "perfect" answer. The interviewer, in most cases, wants to get to know you as an individual, so be honest and genuine in your responses. Hence, whilst it is best to prepare thoroughly for your interview, avoid memorising answers. Your talking points should be at the back of your head which you can easily leverage to provide relevant yet authentic answers during an interview.

Answer questions thoughtfully: Take your time answering questions and provide thoughtful responses. Provide specific examples from your experiences to support your responses. Try to validate each of your responses with something in your application. It is also important to catch the sense of the question being asked beyond the literal wording. Questions should be answered with respect to the context being discussed.

Ask questions: As explained before, questions are one of the best approaches to showing enthusiasm for a university and helping develop clarity. Ask thoughtful questions about the university and its programs to demonstrate your interest and show that you've done your research. Don't hold back from asking personal questions about the university and its culture as well. This is one of the best ways to clear any apprehension surrounding this university or the process of studying abroad in general.

Be respectful and courteous: This should go without saying, but there should be a continuous emphasis on being polite and professional throughout the interaction (even during pressure situations, if any). Be respectful and courteous throughout the interview. This should not only be communicated verbally but also through your body language. Ensure that your interviewer believes that you are enthusiastic and confident through your body language throughout the process. Simple cues like thanking the interviewer for their time, in the end, go a long way in solidifying impressions.

After the Interview

Follow up: Send a thank you note or email to the interviewer to express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your interest in the university. Thank the interviewer specifically for their time and assure the university that you are available for more interactions/ document submissions if they are required as a part of the application process.

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Overall, admissions interviews provide a valuable opportunity for universities to get to know applicants beyond their application materials and for applicants to showcase their strengths and enthusiasm for the university. By preparing well and approaching the interview with confidence, applicants can make a positive impression on the interviewer and increase their chances of being accepted to their desired university. The main mantra is to be yourself, be confident, and show your genuine interest in the university and its programmes. Good luck!