Interviewing → Homework
Day 4 Pre-Workshop Homework
Complete this before the interviewing and communication session. Come ready to practice.
Know the Interview Types
Not all college interviews are the same. Read through these four types and identify which ones apply to your target schools.
Post-Application Interview (Alumni)
When: November to February, after you submit your application
Who: An alumni volunteer contacts you (you don't request it)
Where: Coffee shop, library, or virtual call (30-60 min)
Schools: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Duke, Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, etc.
Key: The interviewer has NOT seen your application. Not receiving one does NOT hurt you.
Pre-Application Interview (On-Campus)
When: May to November, before you apply
Who: You schedule it through the school's admissions portal
Where: On campus or virtual (20-30 min)
Schools: Liberal arts colleges (Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Haverford)
Key: Sign up early, slots fill quickly. Shows demonstrated interest.
Athletic Recruitment Visit
When: Begins sophomore year, peaks junior year (much earlier than regular admissions)
Who: Coaches contact you or you reach out with highlight reels
Where: On-campus official/unofficial visits (full day to 48 hours)
Key: Can lead to scholarship offers before application season. Register with NCAA Eligibility Center.
Music/Arts Audition & Interview
When: Prescreening Oct to Dec, live auditions Jan to Mar
Who: Department faculty evaluate you (not admissions officers)
Where: On-campus, regional sites, or virtual (10-30 min)
Key: Two-stage process. Start preparing repertoire/portfolio summer before senior year.
Part 1: What Makes a Good Conversation?
Great interview answers draw from real experiences. Fill in these prompts. They will become the building blocks for your interview responses.
1. Three experiences that shaped who you are
Think: a turning point, a challenge, a discovery, a relationship, a project.
2. The moment you became interested in your intended major
Tell the origin story, not just the subject name. What specific moment or experience sparked it?
3. A time you failed or faced a real setback
Pick a real failure, not a disguised success. What did you learn? How did you grow?
4. How you have contributed to your community
Be specific: what did you do, who was affected, what changed? Impact over participation.
5. Three adjectives that describe you, with evidence
Pick three that show different sides of you. For each, name one concrete example.
Part 2: Draft Your Core Answers
These are the questions most likely to come up in any interview. Draft a response for each. You don't need to memorize them, but you should know your key points.
Tell me about yourself.
Tip: Lead with a narrative arc (who you are, what drives you, where you're headed). 60-90 seconds max.
Why are you interested in this college?
Tip: Layer 1, specific programs/professors. Layer 2, campus culture. Layer 3, how it uniquely enables your goals.
Why do you want to major in ___?
Tip: Tell the origin story of your interest, not just what the major is.
Tell me about a challenge you've overcome.
Tip: Use the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on your specific actions and what you learned.
What do you do outside of the classroom?
Tip: Don't just list activities. Pick 1-2 and go deep to show passion and impact.
What do you plan to contribute to this school?
Tip: Be specific about clubs, initiatives, or communities you'd join or create.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Tip: Show vision and purpose. Connect your college plans to a longer arc.
Is there anything you'd like me to know before we finish?
Tip: Use this to mention anything important you haven't covered, or ask a thoughtful question about the school.
Part 3: Research Your Target Schools
Pick 3 schools from your list and research their interview policies. Fill in the table below. You can find this information on each school's admissions website.
| School Name | Interview Type | Required? | When? | Duration | How to Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus
For each school, write down one specific thing you love about it (a program, tradition, professor, research lab, campus feature). You will need this for your "Why this school?" answer.
Part 4: Prepare Questions to Ask
At the end of every interview, you'll be asked "Do you have any questions for me?" Always say yes. Here are strong questions to choose from:
Good Questions to Ask
- 1. "I'm interested in [specific program]. Can you tell me how students typically get involved?"
- 2. "I read about [specific tradition/event]. Have you participated? What's it like?"
- 3. "Who was your favorite professor and what did you learn from them?"
- 4. "What's your best memory of your time on campus?"
- 5. "Would you still choose this school if applying today?"
- 6. "What do you wish you had known as an incoming freshman?"
Never Ask These
- × "Do you think I have a good chance of getting in?"
- × "Is this school better than [other school]?"
- × "What was your GPA/test scores?"
- × "How did I do?"
Write 2 questions you plan to ask your interviewer: