Interview Preparation

Not every school offers interviews, and not every interview carries the same weight. But when you get one, it is a chance to be more than a paper application. Preparation makes the difference between a forgettable conversation and one that leaves a mark.

Types of Interviews

Alumni Interviews

The most common type. A graduate of the school, often living in your area, meets with you for 30-60 minutes. These are usually informational and evaluative: the alumni volunteer wants to learn about you and report back to the admissions office. The tone is typically conversational, not interrogative.

Admissions Officer Interviews

Some schools, especially smaller liberal arts colleges, offer interviews with actual admissions staff. These tend to be more structured and carry more direct weight in the decision. Take them seriously.

Student Interviews

A few schools use current students as interviewers. These are usually lower-stakes and more casual. The student reports their impressions, which become one data point in your file.

Group Information Sessions

Not a true interview, but some schools evaluate behavior during group sessions. Ask thoughtful questions, be respectful to other attendees, and do not try to dominate the conversation.

How Much Do Interviews Matter?

The honest answer: usually not much. Most schools classify interviews as "considered" rather than "important" in their admission factors. A great interview rarely makes up for weak academics. A terrible interview can hurt an otherwise strong application.

Think of the interview as a tiebreaker. In a pool of similarly qualified applicants, a strong interview can nudge you ahead. A poor one can nudge you back. The middle ground, a perfectly fine but unmemorable interview, has little effect either way.

The exception:a handful of schools (Georgetown, certain Oxbridge programs) weight interviews heavily. Research each school's specific policy.

Preparation and Research

Know the School

• Academic programsthat interest you, specifically. Not just "you have a good business school" but "I am interested in the entrepreneurship minor and the student-run venture fund."
• Campus culture and values. What does the school emphasize? Collaboration? Research? Service? Global perspective?
• Recent news or initiatives. A new research center, a curriculum change, a campus sustainability program. This shows you did your homework.
• Why this school specifically, not just schools like it. What makes it different from its peers? You should be able to answer this without using phrases that apply to every school.

Know Your Own Story

• Be ready to talk about your activities, interests, and goals in a conversational way, not as a recitation of your resume.
• Have 2-3 specific stories or anecdotes ready. Stories are memorable; bullet points are not.
• Know what you want to study and why. You do not need a ten-year plan, but you should have a direction and a reason.
• Be ready to discuss a book, article, or idea that genuinely interests you. This comes up frequently and reveals intellectual curiosity.

Common Questions with Strategy

"Tell me about yourself."

Not a life story. Give a 90-second overview that touches on who you are, what drives you, and what you are excited about. Think of it as your thesis statement for the conversation.

"Why this school?"

Be specific. Reference programs, professors, campus culture, or opportunities that are unique to this school. If your answer could apply to any school, it is not specific enough.

"What do you do outside of class?"

Pick 2-3 activities and go deep rather than listing everything. Explain what you do, why it matters to you, and what you have accomplished or learned.

"What is your biggest challenge or failure?"

Choose something real, not a humblebrag ("I work too hard"). Describe the situation briefly, focus most of your time on what you did about it, and what you learned. Self-awareness is the point.

"What would you contribute to our campus?"

Connect your skills, interests, and personality to specific aspects of the campus community. How would you get involved? What perspective would you bring that is not already there?

"What are you reading / what has interested you recently?"

Have a genuine answer. It does not need to be a classic or an academic text. Enthusiasm and the ability to discuss ideas matter more than the prestige of the book.

Your Questions for Them

You will always be asked "Do you have any questions for me?" Always say yes. Your questions reveal as much about you as your answers do.

Good Questions

• "What was the most surprising thing about your experience at [school]?"
• "How did [school] change the way you think about [your field/interest]?"
• "What is something you wish you had known as a first-year student?"
• "How would you describe the academic culture? Is it more collaborative or competitive?"
• Something specific to the interviewer's background or career (if they shared it)

Questions to Avoid

• Anything easily answered by the school's website (enrollment size, location, majors offered)
• Questions about ranking or prestige
• "What are my chances of getting in?" (the interviewer likely does not know and cannot answer)
• Nothing. Having no questions signals disinterest.

Virtual vs In-Person

Virtual Interviews

• Test your technology before the interview. Camera, microphone, internet connection, lighting.
• Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.
• Look at the camera when speaking, not at the screen. This simulates eye contact.
• Dress the same as you would for an in-person interview (at least from the waist up).
• Close all other tabs and notifications. A ping from a group chat mid-interview is distracting and unprofessional.

In-Person Interviews

• Arrive 5 minutes early. Not 15, not 1. Five.
• Dress neatly but do not overdress. Business casual is the standard: a collared shirt, clean pants or a skirt, closed-toe shoes. No need for a suit.
• Firm handshake, eye contact, and a genuine smile go a long way.
• If meeting at a coffee shop (common for alumni interviews), offer to buy your interviewer's coffee. They will likely decline, but the offer matters.
• Put your phone away completely. Not on the table. Not on vibrate. Away.

What Interviewers Report

After the interview, your interviewer writes a report for the admissions office. The report typically covers:

• Communication skills: Were you articulate, thoughtful, and engaged?
• Intellectual curiosity: Did you demonstrate genuine interest in ideas and learning?
• Knowledge of the school: Did you clearly research and understand what makes this school distinctive?
• Maturity and self-awareness: Did you reflect on your experiences honestly?
• Fit: Would this student thrive here? Would they contribute to the community?
• Overall impression: Often a rating (strongly recommend, recommend, neutral, not recommend) with narrative comments.

Red Flags to Avoid

• Letting a parent do the talking. If a parent drives you to the interview, they wait in the car or at another table. They do not introduce you, sit in, or answer questions.
• Reciting your resume. The interviewer has likely seen your application. They want to hear the stories behind the bullet points, not the bullet points again.
• Name-dropping or bragging.Let your accomplishments speak for themselves through stories. "I led a team that raised $5,000 for the food bank" is confident. "I am basically the most accomplished student at my school" is not.
• Negativity about your current school, teachers, or peers. Even if warranted, it reads as immaturity.
• Being visibly uninterested. One-word answers, no questions, checking the time. If you do not want to be there, it shows.
• Not being yourself. Trying to be the person you think they want is the most common mistake and the easiest to detect. Be genuine.