Crazy College Interview Questions

November 13th, 2008

When I sat for my college admissions interview (yes, I only did one — for shame!), the questions covered the basics everyone expects: Why did I want to go to that school? What were my greatest strengths and weaknesses? Where did I see myself in 10 years?

The interview was my chance to smile and show off my engaging personality and stellar communication skills. After all, the admissions officer wanted to get to know me, not throw me off my game. But I wonder how I would have responded if I had been asked a question like, “If I were a grapefruit, would I rather be seedless or non-seedless”?

I didn’t make that one up, guys. That’s a for-real question asked at UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge. (To be fair, it is reportedly asked to aspiring students of medicine.)

So let me think about my answer…. If I were seedless, I’d be easier to enjoy, which would be a lot less work for people, and would therefore make them happier. On the other hand, wouldn’t people appreciate me more if they had to work harder to get to me? Do I really aim to be a people-pleaser? Hmmm…

I’m guessing the question is intended to show the way your mind works, how quickly you can think on your feet, how creative you are, how much you know about grapefruit, things like that. But not all of us are great think-on-your-feet-type people.

I, for one, am a much better thinker when I’m writing out my thoughts. Talking them out has some merit, but writing them buys me a little time — I can type or scribble freely, and edit later. When I have to think and edit at the same time, I tend to get bogged down and overly self-conscious.

Only time will tell what kind of impact these interview questions will make on the U.S. college and university scene. In the meantime, start pondering this question asked of aspiring English majors at Oxford: Would you rather be a novel or a poem?

Post a comment: What’s the wildest college interview question you’ve ever encountered?

– Robyn Tellefsen

Entry Filed under: College Admissions, College Trends, General