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Visiting Colleges
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With Rachel Korn , former admissions officer at the University of Pennsylvania.
Prepare For Interviews
HEAD Start
TASK: You're scheduled to meet an alumnus for your interview. It's time to think how you want to present yourself, and prepare some answers to possible questions to maximize your interview.

WHY: While interviews rarely make or break a candidate, they're still a piece of the admissions process, and it's wise to have a positive interview for your file. An interview is the chance for the committee to have you evaluated by someone not in your community, but if you are who you say you are, there are no surprises.

HEAD Lines
METHOD: Think about the following to give yourself stories and material:
  • Your favorite classes

  • Your favorite activities and extracurriculars

  • Your strengths and weaknesses - and examples of how they've helped you (or how you've overcome them)

  • Something at which you excel, or something unusual about your background (this will set you apart from all the other students they meet)

  • What you think you might study (undecided is fine, as long as you can narrow it down a little)

  • Why you are interested in this particular college (and be specific!)
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From Other HEADS
MAKE A POINT OF LEARNING about that school's values, because you'll impress the interviewer more if it's clear that you cared enough to do your research. Also, if they've given you an idea of what sort of questions you'll be asked, be sure to think about your answers in advance. I waited until I was in the car the morning of my interview before I even thought about what I was going to say, and I had to brainstorm with my mom the whole way.

-- EMILY ROSE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE


DURING THE INTERVIEW, SMILE A LOT. When you smile, it shows that your attitude and heart are in the interview; your nerves will also settle down so that you can answer questions clearly.

-- MAILE CERIZO
MAUI, HAWAII
POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY



Web Resources
For more interview tips, try:
www.interviewtips.org/college-interview-tips/college-interview-tips.html


HoH Tip
Also prepare questions for the interviewer about himself and the school - things that cannot be found by reading the internet. This is the alumnus's chance to talk, sell the school, and give you new information. Don't skip this critical opportunity. A student with no questions seems disinterested - a bad sign that will get noted in the evaluation.
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