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Through much of the college application process, you are defined by your hard numbers鈥�GPA, class rank, ACT or SAT score, the number of rigorous courses taken, AP exam performance, and so on. The college admissions interview, however, presents an opportunity to show off your less tangible attributes, that certain je ne sais quoi unique to you; your verve, your emotional intelligence, your older-than-your-years presence, your real-life equivalent of a Hollywood Q Score. Of course, in order to let these one-of-a-kind qualities shine through, you鈥檒l need to have all of the basics covered first as you ready yourself for an in-person or Zoom interaction with representatives from your prospective schools. In today’s blog, we’ll review our eight best tips for impressive college interviews along with 35 college interview questions to practice answering & asking ahead of time.

Best College Interview Questions & Tips

For many applicants, the prospect of meeting face-to-face (even virtually) with an admissions officer can be daunting. But it doesn鈥檛 have to be. With good preparation and a sound understanding of the process, you can ace your interview and leave a positive, lasting impression on your potential colleges. Here are eight tips and strategies to help you prepare:

1. Schedule your interview early.

Since appointments tend to fill up quickly, especially during the height of application season, you should request and schedule an interview with your prospective school鈥檚 admissions office as early in the cycle as a given school will allow. Respond to any scheduling requests within 1-2 days, and give your interviewer plenty of advance notice if you need to move or cancel your interview.

2. Meet with聽your rep.

If offered an interview with an admissions officer, request to meet with the representative who is assigned to your high school or region, as he or she will most likely be the one evaluating your application.

3. Know your school.

Before you start crafting potential answers to college interview questions, do some serious research on your prospective school. If you can demonstrate knowledge of the college鈥檚 offerings, your admissions officer is more likely to regard you as a serious and genuinely interested candidate. You’ll also be able to ask more insightful and thoughtful questions. Wondering where to begin? Check out:

• The college’s website. Check out the major(s) you’re interested in, read the college’s mission statement, and learn about the courses, professors, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities from which you would benefit if offered admission.
• Virtual tours and information sessions. Many colleges now offer virtual tours and info sessions on their admissions sites, but you can check out “unofficial” tours on websites like , , and (which also hosts a TV show on Amazon Prime that interviews students about their campus experiences).
• The student newspaper. If there is a virtual version of a college’s student-run newspaper, try reading through a recent issue or two to get a sense of campus ethos as well as the topics that are important to the student body.
• Social media. Check out a college’s pages on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to learn more about unique offerings and campus news.
• Admissions blogs & podcasts. Colleges like Tufts, Tulane, UVA, and MIT run admissions blogs that address timely topics and explore student life. Other colleges, like Yale, Georgia Tech, UChicago, and Dartmouth, produce podcasts that provide in-depth perspective and advice about the admissions process.
• College guidebooks. A good college guidebook will provide objective, well-researched information about a variety of different schools. Check out our own annual guide, featuring 210 colleges:

4. Prepare to answer a variety of college interview questions.

Before the interview, think about what you want the admissions rep to know about you鈥攊t will help you prepare focused answers to your questions and decide which questions you want to ask the interviewer. In addition, make sure to obtain a copy of your transcript, your resume or student activities sheet, and a list of any standardized test scores. Bring these materials with you.

During the interview, be ready to discuss your courses, your extracurricular experiences, and your reasons for applying to the college. Try to be as specific as possible! Here are some common college interview questions that you may encounter:

• Tell me about yourself.
• So, what sparked your interest in our college?
• What do you know about our school?
• Why do you want to attend our college?
• What would you say are your academic strengths and/or weaknesses?
• What classes, programs, or activities at our college excite you the most?
• How do you plan to be involved on campus and make an impact on our community?
• Any particular major you鈥檙e interested in pursuing at our college? Why is that?
• What鈥檚 been the most important extracurricular activity to you in high school? Why?
• What have you liked most about your high school?
• If you could change one thing about your high school, what would it be?
• What subject do you enjoy most?
• What has been your most challenging course during high school? How did you cope with/overcome the challenges associated with this course?
• What do you consider your proudest achievement so far?
• Could you tell me more about a time when you have demonstrated leadership, teamwork, etc.?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• How would your friends describe you?
• What do you see yourself doing five or ten years from now?

5. Prepare to ask your own questions.

You can demonstrate an additional level of engagement and interest by preparing several questions of your own that will help you to learn more about the college, show the rep that you have done your research, and reiterate your interests. Here are some interview questions that you might consider asking:

• In your opinion, what type of students do well here?
• How does the college help students secure employment and/or prepare for graduate school?
• What do employers like about recent graduates from this school?
• Are there opportunities to network with alumni?
• If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?
• What sets your college apart from other colleges?
• What is the academic environment like?
• What is the campus culture like?
• Could you tell me more about career services offerings? When does career services start engaging with students?
• Does the school help students obtain internship opportunities? How so?
• What undergraduate research opportunities are available, and how early can I get involved?
• In your opinion, what鈥檚 one program/offering that not enough students know about or take advantage of?
• If your interviewer is an alum: What makes you proud to have attended this school? What resources were most helpful to you? What did you major in, and what was your favorite class? What stands out to you most about your undergraduate experience? How has the school changed, and how has it stayed the same?

Of course, if the rep shares something during the interview that piques your interest, feel free to ask more about it! Put as much care and attention into listening as you do to speaking.

6. Practice, practice, practice.

If possible, attempt to simulate the conditions that you will encounter on interview day. Solicit help from a friend or relative who is willing to play the role of interviewer. This person should also be comfortable enough to critique your performance. Finding a good practice partner will enable you to discover and subsequently improve upon weaknesses in your interview technique.

As you practice responding to the above college interview questions, avoid the temptation to memorize or script your answers. The best interviews proceed like a good conversation, so be yourself and be sincere.

7. Remember etiquette.

Personal presentation is key to a successful interview鈥攆irst impressions matter! When the big day arrives:

• Make sure you鈥檙e on time.
  • If you鈥檙e interviewing in person: Give yourself plenty of time to drive, park, and find the building.
  • If you鈥檙e interviewing virtually: Test your equipment ahead of time, check for any software updates that might be necessary, and make sure you can log in to whichever video platform you鈥檒l be using.
• Dress appropriately. Neutral, business casual attire is typically your best bet.
• Eliminate as many distractions as possible.
  • If you鈥檙e interviewing in person: Make sure your phone is on silent and tucked away.
  • If you鈥檙e interviewing virtually: Choose a quiet space, and make sure that your viewable background is clean and appropriate.
• Use appropriate eye contact throughout the meeting.

8. Send a thank-you note.

After the interview, take the time to send your interviewer a brief thank-you note that reiterates your interest in the college as well as your appreciation for their time.

Need templates? Head to for all our best free tools and resources, including an admissions calculator for 170+ institutions, college planning guides, email and resume templates, and example essays from accepted students.

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Final Thoughts 鈥� College Interview Questions

If your prospective college(s) offer interviews as part of the admissions process, you should jump at the opportunity. It鈥檚 also important to realize that your admissions rep is just as anxious to impress you as you are to impress her. So, relax and use your college interview as an opportunity to enter into a great conversation and learn a bit more about your prospective school. If you do, your intangible awesomeness is certain to shine through.

Good luck!