November is upon us and it is time for university interviews! Many students who work with Vela Education send in Early Decision or Early Action applications. Once you have submitted that all important Common App, many universities offer the opportunity to interview with an alum. These are not mandatory but provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your personality and talk about your interests, passions, and enthusiasm for your chosen college.

These interviews differ from UK uni interviews because they are not viewed as an eliminating stage in the application process. These interviews are typically 40 to 60 minutes with one or two alumni of that university and are offered to all students who apply. After the interview, alumni are asked to write a report on each interviewee and give a recommendation for whether the student should be accepted. While the interviews are not the most important part of your application, making a good impression and showcasing your excitement for the school could have a positive impact on your admissions outcome.

Do Your Research

Make sure to do all your research before the interview. If you are applying to multiple schools, even in the early round, remind yourself of why you love this particular school.

This is a unique opportunity for you to discover information that you might not be able to find on the college’s website. Don’t ask questions that can be answered by a quick google! This person went to your college of choice, ask them about their experience. They are excited about their university, and they want to share that excitement.

 Be Prepared

This interview is about you! It is an opportunity for the college to find out even more than what went into your Common App. There are a few questions that you should think about before you go into your interview:

Why do you want to attend this college? What do you want to study? What is your favourite subject? What has been your favourite activity in school thus far? What has been your favourite project outside of school? Tell us about your community.

Take your time with these questions and don’t feel the need to rush to an answer. The interviewers aren’t in a hurry, and they want to see a considerate and mature student sitting in front of them. We recommend this article from the US News and World Report.

Be Yourself

The best alumni interviews often feel more like conversations than interviews. Thinking about them in this fashion can take the pressure off. Remember that college interviews are a step in a process that is about finding the best fit for you. Getting into college goes both ways! The college wants to make sure they are accepting a great student into their community, but you also need to make sure that you are excited about the community to which you are applying. So, relax! Always be respectful, kind, and take the interview seriously. But remember that these conversations can be informative and fun as well.

Say Thank You

After your interview, make sure that to send a follow up email thanking the interviewer for their time. This is a polite, kind gesture and shows your enthusiasm for the school.

If you need any help with last minute applications, or if you want some extra preparation for that interview, Vela Education is here to help. Contact us or schedule a consultation to get started.