How to Prepare for a College Admissions Interview: A Complete Guide for Students

With the right preparation, you can go into your college interview feeling confident and ready to stand out.

An admissions interview can be a wonderful opportunity to strengthen your application and make a lasting impression on an admissions officer or alumni interviewer. While interviews are rarely make-or-break, a strong performance can help humanize your application and highlight qualities that don’t always come through in the normal application.

Before the Interview: How to Prepare

1. Do Your Research

Spend time learning about the college before your interview. Understand the school’s academic strengths, campus culture, and values. Be prepared to explain why this school is a good fit for you specifically — not just why it’s a “good school.”

2. Show Up on Time (or Early)

Whether your interview is in person or virtual, punctuality matters. Arriving early shows responsibility, respect, and maturity — qualities colleges value.

3. Dress Professionally

You don’t need to wear a suit, but you should look neat, polished, and put together. First impressions matter, and proper attire shows that you are taking the interview seriously.

4. Prepare Your Personal Introduction

Be ready to give a brief introduction that highlights:

• Your strengths

• Your academic and extracurricular interests

• What makes you unique

This is your chance to add something meaningful to your application file that admissions officers may not already know.

Common College Interview Questions

While every interview is different, many colleges ask similar questions. Practicing thoughtful, specific answers will help you feel more confident and natural.

You may be asked:

• Why are you interested in attending this school?

• Why did you choose this major or what majors are you considering?

• What are your future academic and/or career goals?

• Is there a project, paper, lab, or experience you are especially proud of?

• What activities are you involved in, and which are most important to you? Why?

• What would your teachers or friends say about you?

• What are you interested in doing on campus outside the classroom?

• How do you envision your college experience?

• What books have you read recently, and what did you learn from them?

• What are your summer plans?

• What are your favorite classes and why?

• What are your passions? What do you truly enjoy doing?

• Tell me something about you that is not on your résumé or application.

Smart Questions Students Should Ask the Interviewer

At the end of the interview, you will almost always be asked if you have any questions. This is not just a formality — it’s an important part of the conversation. Thoughtful questions show curiosity, maturity, and genuine interest in the school.

Consider asking:

• What did you love most about attending this school? (If the interviewer is an alum)

• Do you feel the school provides strong resources for career exploration and development?

• What was your favorite class or professor and why? (If the interviewer is an alum)

• What is your favorite campus tradition?

• What advice would you give a student hoping to make the most of their time there?

Always try to ask specific questions related to your interests or intended major. This demonstrates that you have done your research and are genuinely excited about the school. If your interviewer is an alum, note that they may not have responses to more specific questions about programs or majors, but they could have a wealth of insight into the campus community and culture. If you know their name before the interview, you can try to find them on LinkedIn, etc. to learn more about them beforehand.

Final Tips for a Successful College Interview

• Be yourself — authenticity matters more than rehearsed answers

• Practice out loud, but don’t memorize responses

• Maintain good eye contact and positive body language

• Send a brief thank-you email after the interview

A strong college interview won’t just improve your application — it can also help you clarify whether a school is the right fit for you.