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  • How to Interview for College. For many students, an admissions interview is the most nerve-wracking

  • part of the college application process. But if you can stay calm, youll find it a great

  • opportunity to interview them, too. You will need Enthusiasm and confidence. Step 1. Learn

  • what you can about the school before your interview. The interviewer will have looked

  • over your application and information, so it’s basic common courtesy that you do the

  • same. If you don’t know anything about the school, the interviewer will no doubt assume

  • you don’t care about getting in. Step 2. Anticipate the interviewer’s questions.

  • Hell want to learn what kind of person you are, what you enjoy, and how you might

  • contribute to the school. Consider your strengths, and give the impression that you will reflect

  • well on the school. While it’s good to have a general idea of how to answer likely questions,

  • don’t prepare so much that your responses sound canned. Step 3. Obviously, youll

  • want to dress neatly and on the conservative side. If in doubt about any part of your outfit,

  • remember that you want the interviewer to focus on what youre saying, not what youre

  • wearing. Step 4. You should apply the same principles to your college interview that

  • you would to meeting anyone you want to make a good impression on: shake hands firmly,

  • look the interviewer in the eye, smile, and appear interested and engaged in the school

  • and the interview, not distracted or bored. Step 5. Use this opportunity to explain anything

  • that might not speak for itself in your application. If your grades or test scores aren’t as

  • high as they could be, acknowledge this and let the interviewer know whymaybe you took

  • difficult classes instead of getting an easy A. Don’t brag about your test scores or

  • GPA at the interviewthe interviewer already has this information. Youll make a better

  • impression if you emphasize non-academic assets. Step 6. Make sure to ask at least one good

  • question before the interview ends. It should be something that shows youre mature and

  • proactive about your education, like “I hope to go to med schoolwhat advice would

  • you give a pre-med student here?” Don’t put your interviewer on the defensive or ask

  • arrogant questions, like, “I want to go to a top med schoolwhy should _I_ choose

  • your pre-med program?” Step 7. When the interview comes to a close, end it with a

  • firm handshake, gratitude for the interviewer’s time, and a warm smile. Follow up with a prompt

  • thank-you note. Did you know Only 10% of American universities claim that the interview is of

  • considerable importancein making admissions decisions.

How to Interview for College. For many students, an admissions interview is the most nerve-wracking

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