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So,what
do you say when you have to explain why
you should be admitted to a school?
Plan for Interview Day!
By Feona Sharhran
Huff
December 2000
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- The college
application is an important part of the admissions
process. It details your classes and grades, ACT
or SAT scores, extra curricular activities, and
teacher recommendations. If you're vying for a
shot at a highly competitive school, however,
you will also be required to participate in an
in-person interview with an admissions counselor
or college alumnus. While you may be clutching
your heart at this news, there's no need to worry
if you prepare yourself for that inevitable day.
According to Richard Montauk
and Krista Klein, authors of How to Get Into
the Top Colleges (Prentice Hall Press, 2000),
making a lasting impression in an interview may
get you a step closer to your dream school. Here's
how:
Know the College.
"If you tell the interviewer that you plan to
major in business, but the school offers no undergraduate
business major, you will look foolish (not to
mention look like a bad fit for the college),"
warn Montauk and Klein. To avoid such embarrassment,
conduct as much pre-interview research as possible.
Check out a school's Web site, or visit the campus
and talk to current students. "Knowing what type
of housing is available, or which courses students
line up to get into, is the sort of thing that
shows you to be determined, interested, resourceful,"
they emphasize.
Anticipate Interview
Questions. It's no secret that you'll be asked
lots of questions, but which ones? Some hints:
"Why do you want to attend our school?" "What
do you have to offer us?" "Why have you chosen
your major?" Also consider questions you may be
asked based on your essay. "If you've claimed
in your written application to have founded a
new successful literary journal at your high school,
for example, your interviewer might ask you about
this endeavor," say the authors.
Describe Key Events.
"Be ready to discuss major and minor events and
milestones in your academic, personal, and extra
curricular life," note Montauk and Klein. For
example, your parents told you they were splitting
up two weeks before finals. Normally, you would
be too stressed over their separation to concentrate
on graduation-related tests, but somehow --
this time -- you gathered the mental and emotional
strength to stay focused. Sharing this part of
you will give the interviewer more insight into
who you really are and how you handle life's pressures
and surprises.
Practice! Ever hear
your teachers say, "Practice makes perfect?" Well,
they're right. Pretend youČre being interviewed
by a college admissions officer or alum', and
try your hardest to answer questions and present
yourself as the perfect candidate for the school.
Strategize Your Appearance.
"Appearing respectful of the admissions staff
and showing that you take the college admissions
process seriously involves appearing neat and
clean and not wearing anything that would be considered
inappropriate," say the authors. In other words,
as long as your clothes are not wrinkled, too
tight, too revealing, and appear dirt-free to
the eye, you're okay. And, please, no jeans! (Caution:
Don't run up your mom's charge card just to buy
a designer suit for one day.)
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· Link to the College
Coach, which offers courses on
Interview Preparation.
· For more about interviews and related advice, check
out this great read, courtesy of the
Detroit
News.
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