Years ago, many highly selective colleges and universities required that all applicants complete an interview with a staff member and/or an alumnus.
Today, not as many institutions insist on an interview, but a fairly significant number do; especially graduate and professional schools. And, although other institutions avoid the term "interview", they very well may evaluate the applicants with whom they have personal contact. In fact, even student tour guides may evaluate applicants.
Your best bet, if you are applying to an educational institution of any kind, is to assume that everything you say and do in the presence of an institutional representative is being evaluated. Thus, when you are speaking with a staff member, an alumnus, or a student of any institution to which you are seeking admission, follow a few rules.
1. Never indicate that a college or graduate school is not your first choice: if you do, you may put your chance of admission at risk.
2. Do not express doubt about wanting to continue your education.
3. Dress appropriately for all meetings with institutional representatives.
4. Research the institutions to which you are applying. Never ask a question about a college or university which you could have found an answer to in a few minutes on the institution's website; it will make you appear lazy and/or not very interested.
5. Never make a comment to a student tour guide or anyone else that you would not want the Dean of Admission to hear. If you do, he or she will.
6. Send thank you notes to anyone who spends significant time with you. The less generic they sound, the better.
7. If a parent or spouse accompanies you on a campus visit...which in itself is fine...be sure they understand that they should never answer for you or sing your praises to institutional representatives. Nothing is more obnoxious.
8. Have at least one intelligent question prepared for each person with whom you meet.
9. Do not make statements that assume your admission, regardless of your qualifications. Humility is a virtue...if you don't have it, fake it until you do.
10. Speak with and meet with representatives of your least favorite institutions first so you will be more practiced when you interview for your top choices.
Good interviewing is, more than anything else, applying common sense, active listening skills, and common courtesy. Good luck.
Today, not as many institutions insist on an interview, but a fairly significant number do; especially graduate and professional schools. And, although other institutions avoid the term "interview", they very well may evaluate the applicants with whom they have personal contact. In fact, even student tour guides may evaluate applicants.
Your best bet, if you are applying to an educational institution of any kind, is to assume that everything you say and do in the presence of an institutional representative is being evaluated. Thus, when you are speaking with a staff member, an alumnus, or a student of any institution to which you are seeking admission, follow a few rules.
1. Never indicate that a college or graduate school is not your first choice: if you do, you may put your chance of admission at risk.
2. Do not express doubt about wanting to continue your education.
3. Dress appropriately for all meetings with institutional representatives.
4. Research the institutions to which you are applying. Never ask a question about a college or university which you could have found an answer to in a few minutes on the institution's website; it will make you appear lazy and/or not very interested.
5. Never make a comment to a student tour guide or anyone else that you would not want the Dean of Admission to hear. If you do, he or she will.
6. Send thank you notes to anyone who spends significant time with you. The less generic they sound, the better.
7. If a parent or spouse accompanies you on a campus visit...which in itself is fine...be sure they understand that they should never answer for you or sing your praises to institutional representatives. Nothing is more obnoxious.
8. Have at least one intelligent question prepared for each person with whom you meet.
9. Do not make statements that assume your admission, regardless of your qualifications. Humility is a virtue...if you don't have it, fake it until you do.
10. Speak with and meet with representatives of your least favorite institutions first so you will be more practiced when you interview for your top choices.
Good interviewing is, more than anything else, applying common sense, active listening skills, and common courtesy. Good luck.
About the Author:
Daniel Z. Kane is a veteran educator who has worked as a school counselor and a university dean. He also contributes to websites designed to help adults select
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