THE COLLEGE VISIT AND INTERVIEW

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR COLLEGE VISITS

Some colleges require an interview as part of the admissions process, but most do not. It is still important for you to visit the college at which you may spend four years of your life. The visit or interview may help you in your selection of a college or to verify your choice.

If you visit before you make application or before your school reports arrive, you should take a copy of your transcript. A copy of an unofficial transcript can be obtained in the guidance office with sufficient notice.

When making an appointment for a college visit, keep the following suggestions in mind:

  1. If possible, plan a time when Bow High School is not in session, but college is (such as October Teacher Convention Day). Check for Open House opportunities.
  2. In your inquiry, confirm a definite date and time.
  3. Unavoidable delays require a telephone call to the admissions office.
  4. Visit colleges as early as possible.
  5. When planning your visits, try not to schedule more than two colleges per day.
  6. If you would like to see a coach, faculty member, or find out more about a particular department, mention that when you call. Colleges should do their best to accommodate you.

If it is at all possible, make arrangements to stay overnight in the dormitory. You can get a good sense of the student body by eating in the college snack bar or cafeteria. Attending several classes is also an excellent idea.

 

BE SURE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE.

Avoid a nonscheduled "drop in" to an admission office. But, if it turns out that an opportunity to visit a college at the last minute presents itself, be courteous and understanding about what the admission staff is able to do for you. However, "dropping in" is discouraged and is not a productive way to visit a college.

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

  1. Learn as much as possible about the college before your visit. Be prepared both to answer and ask questions.
  2. Give some prior thought to the things that you want to look for and ask. Having a list of questions with you is acceptable.
  3. Go alone rather than with a friend or a gang. Mom and Dad go along for the drive, but they do not participate in the admissions interview. Parents are sometimes invited to speak with the officer following the interview.
  4. Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
  5. Be yourself at all times - be honest, sincere, interested. Smile! Speak distinctly. Look at the interviewer when you are speaking.
  6. Know your background and experience. Be prepared to present it in an orderly manner. An opening question may be "Tell me about yourself." Be aware of your learning style and academic strengths and weaknesses.
  7. Be prepared to tell why you have chosen this particular college and what you expect to get out of four years there.
  8. Be ready to answer questions about your SAT scores, rank-in-class, latest grades, and courses you have taken. (Bring an unofficial transcript from the guidance office.)
  9. State and defend opinions only if asked. Do not be argumentative. If you don't know something, admit it. Don't try to bluff.
  10. APPEARANCE: Dress neatly.
  11. Relax! interviews are meant to be informative to both parties. Try to get as much out of the interview as you put into it.
  12. Thank your interviewer for his/her time and consideration. Follow up with a thank you note.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE COLLEGE VISIT

Visit the college while in session so that you will be able to talk not only with the admissions representative, but also with the students who attend the college.

  1. What are the strongest departments at the college?
  2. What sizes are classes generally? For freshmen? For Upperclassmen?
  3. How do I compare academically with students already attending the school?
  4. What do students do after they graduate? Do they go on to postgraduate studies? What percentages are employed upon graduation?
  5. What kinds of cultural, sports, literary activities are offered on campus?
  6. Must one join specific organizations to be a part of the campus life or is there room to be included in other ways?
  7. What percentages of students remain on campus during weekends?
  8. What kinds of living accommodations are there? Dorms? Foreign language houses? Private apartments? What percentages of students live in each?
  9. Can freshmen select their own roommates?
  10. Are sports available for the average player? Ask about specific sports that interest you.
  11. What kind of student is generally the most successful/happy at this college? What percentages of students return for their sophomore year?
  12. If a student were to be happy/successful here, at what other colleges would he/she be likely to succeed at as well?
  13. What percentages of the students receive financial aid? Is it need or merit based?
  14. What is the institutional policy for reporting security incidents?
  15. How large is the library? What are the hours of operation? What are its special features or resources?
  16. What support services are available to students? General counseling? Psychotherapy? Post-graduation planning? Free health care? Tutoring if needed? Help finding off-campus employment during the school year and during the summer? Junior Year abroad or at another U.S. institution?
  17. What type of access do students have to computers? Where are they located? What hours are they available?

College Interviewer Questions

College interviews are often characterized as being evaluative (directed) or informational (non-directed) in style. The following questions are representative of those encountered in a college interview.

Evaluative Interview

Informational Interview

In the interview remember: