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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n1. If you have the option of being interviewed, say yes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFew colleges and universities mandate that all applicants partake in interviews. Even Harvard<\/a> and Yale<\/a>, for example, \u201crecommend\u201d interviews rather than \u201crequire\u201d them. At other institutions, such as Northwestern and Stanford, interviews are considered \u201coptional.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nBut if you\u2019re given the chance to be interviewed and are able to do so, you should always say yes. Interviews are your opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer and boost your chances of admittance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although interviewers don\u2019t independently decide whether or not you\u2019re admitted, they will relay information about your personality, interests, passions, and goals back to admissions officers. The more good things they have to say, the higher your chances of getting in are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your interviewer is also evaluating you for your level of interest in the school you\u2019re applying to. It\u2019s worth noting that you don\u2019t want to be in the group of students who opted not to interview, as that may be perceived as a lack of interest in a school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are truly unable to arrange an interview, however, most admissions offices won’t hold that against you. Harvard\u2019s admissions website<\/a>, for example, states, \u201cIf an interview cannot be arranged, you will not be at a disadvantage during the application process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Determine how to set up an interview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSchools vary in terms of their standards for setting up interviews. So, it\u2019s really important to check the individual policies of each school you\u2019re applying to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some institutions, like Harvard and MIT<\/a>, for example, reach out to applicants after applications are submitted to set up an interview time and place. Of course, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools are currently planning to conduct interviews online. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBut other institutions, such as Washington and Lee University<\/a>, ask applicants to set up interviews on their own. Typically, this is as simple as following a few directions on an admissions website. The only thing you need to be cautious about is making sure you schedule an interview before the deadline. Schools have various deadlines that may be lined up with what time of year you opt to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn most cases, you\u2019ll be able to find all the information you need through a quick Google search. But if you\u2019re having trouble finding updated information regarding how to set up an interview, you can always reach out to an admissions office by calling or sending an email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Know who your interviewer is<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost often, your interviewer will be an alumni of the school you\u2019re applying to. Alumni networks usually extend across the country, and those who volunteer to conduct interviews will often meet applicants in public spaces near where they live, like coffee shops, restaurants, or libraries. This year, though, most interviews will be virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably, alumni who give up their free time to interview applicants are typically very enthusiastic about their alma mater and want to make sure all of those who are admitted will be a good fit and are as passionate about the school as they are. So, if you\u2019re interviewing with an alumni, make sure you come to the interview full of excitement, knowledge, and enthusiasm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, however, you\u2019ll be asked to interview with an admissions officer. This won\u2019t change the weight your interview carries in terms of affecting your likelihood of being admitted. And it should not significantly affect the way in which you approach your interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Research, research, research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou should never go into an interview unprepared. Throughout the weeks leading up to your interview, take some time to further research the institution you\u2019re interviewing for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conduct a thorough investigation, like you\u2019re being tested on it. Going into the interview, you should know the majors the school offers, the most storied alumni, the campus locations, and even the mascot! You get the picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point is, you want to be able to provide detailed and honest answers to every question you\u2019re asked and be able to prove to your interviewer that you\u2019re passionate about the institution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go above and beyond to impress. Make the interviewer believe that this school is the only one you\u2019re interested in. By demonstrating your vast knowledge of the school, you make it clear that it would be a huge disappointment to attend anywhere else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Anticipate questions, but don\u2019t memorize prepared answers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
But if you\u2019re given the chance to be interviewed and are able to do so, you should always say yes. Interviews are your opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer and boost your chances of admittance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although interviewers don\u2019t independently decide whether or not you\u2019re admitted, they will relay information about your personality, interests, passions, and goals back to admissions officers. The more good things they have to say, the higher your chances of getting in are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your interviewer is also evaluating you for your level of interest in the school you\u2019re applying to. It\u2019s worth noting that you don\u2019t want to be in the group of students who opted not to interview, as that may be perceived as a lack of interest in a school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are truly unable to arrange an interview, however, most admissions offices won’t hold that against you. Harvard\u2019s admissions website<\/a>, for example, states, \u201cIf an interview cannot be arranged, you will not be at a disadvantage during the application process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Schools vary in terms of their standards for setting up interviews. So, it\u2019s really important to check the individual policies of each school you\u2019re applying to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some institutions, like Harvard and MIT<\/a>, for example, reach out to applicants after applications are submitted to set up an interview time and place. Of course, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools are currently planning to conduct interviews online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But other institutions, such as Washington and Lee University<\/a>, ask applicants to set up interviews on their own. Typically, this is as simple as following a few directions on an admissions website. The only thing you need to be cautious about is making sure you schedule an interview before the deadline. Schools have various deadlines that may be lined up with what time of year you opt to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, you\u2019ll be able to find all the information you need through a quick Google search. But if you\u2019re having trouble finding updated information regarding how to set up an interview, you can always reach out to an admissions office by calling or sending an email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most often, your interviewer will be an alumni of the school you\u2019re applying to. Alumni networks usually extend across the country, and those who volunteer to conduct interviews will often meet applicants in public spaces near where they live, like coffee shops, restaurants, or libraries. This year, though, most interviews will be virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, alumni who give up their free time to interview applicants are typically very enthusiastic about their alma mater and want to make sure all of those who are admitted will be a good fit and are as passionate about the school as they are. So, if you\u2019re interviewing with an alumni, make sure you come to the interview full of excitement, knowledge, and enthusiasm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In some cases, however, you\u2019ll be asked to interview with an admissions officer. This won\u2019t change the weight your interview carries in terms of affecting your likelihood of being admitted. And it should not significantly affect the way in which you approach your interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should never go into an interview unprepared. Throughout the weeks leading up to your interview, take some time to further research the institution you\u2019re interviewing for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conduct a thorough investigation, like you\u2019re being tested on it. Going into the interview, you should know the majors the school offers, the most storied alumni, the campus locations, and even the mascot! You get the picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The point is, you want to be able to provide detailed and honest answers to every question you\u2019re asked and be able to prove to your interviewer that you\u2019re passionate about the institution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Go above and beyond to impress. Make the interviewer believe that this school is the only one you\u2019re interested in. By demonstrating your vast knowledge of the school, you make it clear that it would be a huge disappointment to attend anywhere else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Determine how to set up an interview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Know who your interviewer is<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Research, research, research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Anticipate questions, but don\u2019t memorize prepared answers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n