College interviews can be scary for anyone, especially if you struggle to put yourself out there. But we come to you with good news: Colleges aren’t just looking for diversity in terms of what students on campus are studying. They’re also looking for all different kinds of people with varying personality traits. It’s easy to trick yourself into thinking that colleges are looking for every kind of student besides yourself, but fear not! Your reserved nature is not a bad thing. And while we’re on the topic of good news, let’s discuss the college interview. Attending one will show that you’re dedicated and interested in the school. But it’s just as much for you as it is for the school. We totally understand that it feels like you’re sitting in the hot seat, and in some ways, you are, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to learn more about the school and decide if you want to attend. If you consider yourself an introvert, keep reading for three tips on how to prepare:
Research the school.
This should probably go without saying, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s important. To confirm, you should be preparing, but you should not be rehearsing. Here’s the difference: by identifying a few things that you like about the school (major, extracurricular, things you’re looking forward to,) you’ll have a wealth of things to discuss. Keep in mind that you’re having a conversation with another human, and you need to engage with them in a very human way. By rehearsing, you’ll stress yourself out and probably sound like a robot. But if you’re very familiar with the offerings that are most interesting to you, you’ll have a lot of things to say that don’t sound like they’re being read off of a teleprompter.
Make a short list of things you want to express about yourself.
You’re not going to be able to cover everything. You shouldn’t aim to cover everything unless you want to dominate the entire conversation (which is not great). Because it can be overwhelming to try and memorize your entire resume, start by identifying 3-5 things you want to get across. This can be anything, but everything on your list should aim to point towards something that will make you a good fit for the college. Maybe there’s a summer program you want to highlight, or a job experience that taught you a lot, or a more personal story about a personality trait you’ll be bringing to campus. Think about what you might want to say about these things – and go for quality over quantity. Depending upon what you’re asked, you might not find a natural fit for everything on your list. Advocate for yourself without being pushy and domineering with what you say, and work to find space for the aspects of yourself that feel most important.
Brainstorm follow up questions.
This is actually life advice: every single interview you ever go on will end with them asking if you have any questions. Not having a single question to ask is a surefire way to show that you either zoned out during the interview or aren’t serious about attending X school. But here’s the thing: if you only brainstorm a few, there’s a solid chance that they’ll all be answered during the interview itself. So you need to brainstorm a lot. A tip that we often give to our TKG clients is that the questions you ask don’t all need to be related to academics. Again, you’re interviewing with an actual human. If they attended the school, you might ask about their experience. Otherwise, think about what else you’re genuinely curious about and be sure to make a list of potential questions to ask to close out the interview.
We’ve written about how to prepare, the importance of the interview, and even what to wear. The best advice we can give? Be yourself. It’s cheesy, but it’s true. Use the interview as an opportunity to learn more about the school, and remember the importance of eye contact.
Need help preparing, or getting on track with your college applications? Contact us here.