How to Ace Your College Interview

Among scrambling to prepare for the SAT (or ACT), to get recommendations from your favorite teachers, to keep a high GPA, and to balance your extracurricular activities, the last thing you probably want to do is have a one-on-one interview. And the most scary part? College interviews can get very personal. Anything from your worldview to your most challenging moment is up for discussion. Whether you're interviewing for acceptance or for a scholarship, these eight tips will help you sharpen your interviewing skills. I've been at both ends (the interviewee and interviewer), and I hope my insight helps you fulfill your goals.

1. Know as much as you can about the college or university

Typically the number one rule in interview articles is "Brag about yourself." They then always acknowledge that most people have trouble boasting about themselves but oftentimes don't offer advice on how to get around that modesty.

One way to combat the tooting-your-own-horn problem at the interview is to compliment the college and then tie in your own strengths. (You should actually take this route even if you find it easy to discuss your assets.) This tip is easier to follow if you know your major. Study the unique opportunities the college offers to your major and then detail how you will take advantage of these programs. If you don't know what your major is going to be, what's the number one reason why you want to go to this college? Location? Athletics? Diversity? Study abroad programs? Pick something that makes you genuinely excited about going to this college, and your interviewers will pick up on your enthusiasm.

For extra credit, tell the interviewer how you will contribute to these opportunities: "I see that you have a study abroad program for Norway. I'd love to go, and I'd also like to start a Norwegian club on campus. I have a lot of experience in running clubs, because in high school I...."

But don't be too obvious in your flattery. Don't say something along the lines of, "Well, I know that 99 percent of your students go on to have a great career after graduation...." Try to naturally tie-in compliments with your interests.

2. Make an interdisciplinary link

A common mission statement among all colleges is to have their students become well-rounded individuals. If you want to major in chemistry, talk about your passion for a cleaner environment. If you love sports, discuss your penchant for the math in baseball (or any sport). You get the idea. Just link two seemingly discrete interests of yours and make a connection between the two. For a very strong response, explain how the college will foster this connection.

3. Be prepared to discuss current events and your worldview

Unlike job interviews, politics is not an out-of-bounds topic at college interviews. Brush up on world events. A common question usually present in these interviews is "What's your number one concern about the world today?" You should mention areas outside of North America to show that you have a broad understanding of the world. You may get flustered at such an open-ended question, but remember an open-ended question in this area is good. If you're not comfortable discussing politics, you can discuss more apolitical topics (poverty, AIDS, illiteracy, technology gap, etc.), or you can speak out on your views. Be sure to have an answer ready in case the interviewers ask you what you can do about these problems. Obviously you're not going to solve global poverty, but you can talk about small steps you can take.

But if the interviewers ask a more pointed, liberal-versus-conservative question (which never happened to me), tread carefully. Never denigrate the other side. In fact, tell the interviewers in what ways you understand the other side's reasoning and respectfully say why you disagree. If you feel as though your opinions are in the minority, tout how your views make you unique and how having a diverse-range of opinions are important in a college classroom. If you're a moderate (or apathetic), say why and show you understand the opposing viewpoints.

4. Imagine possible questions and your answers

To avoid long awkward pauses during the interview, think about what your interviewers may ask you. Common questions include:

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Whom do you admire? Why?

What's your greatest weakness?

Who's your favorite writer?

Who was your mentor in high school?

Don't memorize your answers (otherwise you will sound too rehearsed). You should just make sure you have something to say should the question arise. If another answer pops into your head during the interview, go with it instead of trying to remember your preparation answer.

5. Be prepared for the unknown

In all interviews, they'll always be one question that's a little screwy, such as "How will you change the world?" or "If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?" Smile, appear thoughtful, and give it your best shot. The interviewers know how ridiculous they sound (trust me). These questions are designed to see how quickly you think.

6. Keep your "likes," "errs," "ums," and other pauses to a minimum

The interviewers do notice these hesitations if you use them one too many times. If you need to buy time, repeat the question, comment favorably on it ("What a good question!"), and you will hopefully think of something to say. Use this technique sparingly as it will become noticeable if you do it too many times. Also, don't be afraid to run with the first idea that comes to your mind (unless it's truly off-the-wall). If you think of a better idea while in the midst of discussing your first one, find a way to wrap up your point and transition to the superior one.

6. Be yourself

In the interview, you should be as true to your personality as possible (unless you're a complete jerk in real life, of course). Be bubbly if you're bubbly. Be serious if you're serious. Of course, if your interviewers seem stiffly formal and strict (which they usually aren't), then you may want to adjust your personality accordingly.

Try to also keep your intonation normal (rising and falling instead of mechanical or flat). You may have to speak more clearly than you ordinarily would but don't overdo your enunciation.

7. Show off your leadership potential and what you can do for your community

Interviewers love leaders. A question is sure to come up that provides you with the opportunity to discuss how you're a leader. If you've never held a leadership position (how many people can be the president of the National Honor Society, anyway?), you can perhaps explain how your brand of leadership is more subtle: discuss how you contribute to group activities or how your presence positively affects the teams or clubs to which you belong.

During the interview you should also plug any community service you've done. Discuss how your service changed you or your view of the world. Explain how you will keep up your service once at college. If you don't have any community service on your resume, find at least some examples where you've helped people. Did you have to help support your family (explaining your lack of time to devote to the community)? Talk about that. Did you spend any time tutoring at school? Discuss it.

8. Ask questions

This last tip serves to avoid any awkwardness. Normally, the interview will end with the question, "Do you have any questions?" And if you end with a "Uh, no," you have to admit that it's a lackluster end to the interview.

If you followed the first tip, you shouldn't have serious problems devising questions to ask. You should avoid questions that anyone can answer after spending a couple of minutes on the college's Web site. Which programs are you most curious about? What worries you as a freshman? What do you hope the college can do for you?

After the interview, congratulations, you're done! There's nothing more you can do, so don't worry about it. Breathe a sigh of relief.