My least favorite part of the college admission and decision process was interviews. However, despite my desire to avoid them, interviews provide an invaluable opportunity for admission counselors to learn about applicants beyond the Common App – and for you to learn about the school you’re applying to. Signing up for an interview can only benefit you – and it’s highly recommended for scholarship consideration! However, for a junior or senior in high school, admissions interviews are often students’ first experience in an interview environment, and the idea of such a formal meeting can feel foreign and daunting. In reality, your admissions interview is more of a conversation where you have the chance to share who you are beyond your college application and ask questions about the university.
At URochester, it is important to note that applicants have a few options for interview experiences. Most interviews are conducted virtually, which means students from around the world have the opportunity to speak with a URochester representative. First-year applicants can sign up to meet with current students or admission counselors throughout the fall and into December. For transfer applicants, interviews are typically available year-round. Potential students can also request to meet with one of the University’s 125,000 alumni from mid-July through mid-September, and from early November through January 7.
My interview experience did not fall into any of these categories. Throughout the fall, URochester also hosts a few in-person interview events around the United States. These events allow students to meet counselors from their area and have an in-person conversation. I was lucky to be within driving distance of one of these events! I remember being so nervous, and even though I felt prepared, sitting down with someone I wanted to impress so badly was definitely scary. In the end, my mild nerves actually reflected my genuine interest in the university and made a positive impression on the counselor I met! However, there are a few things I wish I had known before my interview. Here are a few tips I learned from my own experiences!
- Plan ahead.
While it seems obvious, ensuring the logistics are in order for your interview might be the most important tip. This looks different for everyone, but here are some general guidelines:
- Know when and where your meeting takes place – whether in person or on Zoom, don’t wait until 10 minutes before your appointment to check the location or website link!
- Plan for technical troubles – be sure to grab an extra computer charger for your virtual meeting, or leave time to find parking for in-person interviews.
- Arrive early – you don’t want to waste the interviewer’s time or your own by arriving late, and it never hurts to be 10 to 15 minutes early. It’s also nice to give yourself time to relax before your meeting.
- Dress your best – business casual attire is the standard for interviews, so avoid low-cut tops, jeans, or t-shirts. Dress for success!
2. Do your research.
If you haven’t already, look through the University website and social media. Find out what academic programs the school offers, along with any student organizations or extracurricular activities that interest you. While you don’t need to be an expert (that’s the interviewer’s job!), having some background knowledge about the school shows genuine interest and leaves a positive impression on the person you meet with. Almost every admission representative will also ask something along the lines of “Why the University of Rochester?” or “What organizations would you be interested in joining?” Think about what drew you to the University beforehand, so you can share all the important parts of why you’re interested in the University of Rochester during the interview. This is a great opportunity to showcase that research you did!
3. Prepare to talk about yourself.
As someone who does not enjoy being the center of attention, talking about myself for an extended period of time felt like a nightmare. Guess what? It turns out that you are the #1 source for information about your own interests and passions! However, if you get nervous, it can be easy to forget the basics, such as your academic interests, course load, or extracurriculars. Preparing answers to some basic questions can help you stay focused and relaxed. Interviewers want to know about you, and any questions they ask will reflect that! They might ask questions like “What academic program or major interests you? Do you participate in any extracurriculars?” Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments. Consider mentioning activities you want to pursue in college to show how you might be an asset to the campus community!
4. Ask questions.
While an interview can feel interrogative, this is also an opportunity for you to learn more about what could be your future home! It is totally okay and encouraged to ask about things you’re just curious about or interested in. The interviewer always leaves time for you to ask any questions about academic programs, scholarship opportunities, housing, or campus culture. Ideally, these questions should be specific to both the school and to you to ensure you get the most out of your meeting. Try to ask about topics you can’t research online. Here are a few examples to get help you prepare:
- What makes students at your university different?
- What are some traits of a student who would succeed at your university?
- What are some school traditions?
- What kind of research or internship opportunities are available for students?
5. Be genuine.
The point of an interview is to find out if you are a good match for the university. Being yourself gives you and the interviewer the best chance to see how you might fit into the student body. To better accomplish this, interviewers might ask questions like “What is your favorite book?” or “What is something that’s important to you?” These questions have no wrong answers; the intention is to get to know you beyond numbers or essays, so give honest answers. During my interview, I talked about my love for the Harry Potter series, and my interviewer ended up being a huge fan too! Aim to leave your interview feeling like you showcased the best and most authentic version of yourself.
For me, the interview experience provided unique insights into my college decision process. Whether your journey leads you to the University of Rochester or not, I hope your interview is a meaningful step toward discovering the place where you can learn, grow, and belong.