College interviews can feel nerve-wracking, but they’re also a great opportunity to showcase yourself and learn more about the college. This blog will provide you with ten common interview questions to prepare for after you apply for a course, and what you can ask the college to make a strong impression.
First and foremost, college interviews often begin with a series of questions designed to get to know you. These questions delve into your personality, motivations, and what makes you unique as a student. Make sure to discuss your interests, academic goals, and passions outside of academics. This way, you can highlight your well-roundedness and desire to learn and contribute to the college community. So, dust off your interview outfit (we’ll get to that later) and let’s dive into the top ten college interview questions to prepare for:
College Interview Questions to Prepare For
Get To Know You Questions:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
This is your chance to shine! Give a brief introduction that exhibits your strengths, interests, and academic goals.
What do you hope to study in college, and why?
Colleges understand that students don’t always have their entire career path mapped out. However, during your interview, it’s impressive to demonstrate how your academic interests offer insight into what you may be able to accomplish in the future.
Why do you want to attend college?
Go further than the generic response of just “to get a good job.” Discuss your desire to learn, grow, and contribute to society.
What are you passionate about outside of academics?
Colleges want broad-minded students. Share your hobbies, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work.
What are your career goals?
Think about your long-term aspirations and how this college can help you achieve them.
Think about the subjects you excel in or find most engaging. What sparks your curiosity? How do these academic passions connect to the skills and knowledge you’d need for your dream job, or a particular career field? For example, if you’re fascinated by music production, you could discuss how your love for music has evolved into a desire to understand the technical aspects of creating it. Perhaps you play with music software in your free time, or you’ve even started experimenting with composing your own music. By expressing your passion for music production, you can connect the dots to potential futures in the music industry.
Maybe you dream of working in a recording studio, or even starting your own independent label? Highlighting your ambitions shows the interviewer that your academic interests (perhaps in music theory or live events) are a springboard for a fulfilling career path in music.
Don’t worry if your career goals aren’t perfectly formed yet. The key is to show how your academic interests are a stepping stone towards a fulfilling professional path. This demonstrates intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to think ahead – all qualities that colleges value highly.
Now, moving onto the ‘College Fit’ questions. Interviewers will also use questions to understand your college fit. These questions go beyond your academic record and assess your alignment against the specific strengths and programs offered by the college. Demonstrating your research by mentioning unique aspects of the college, like vocational qualifications or leadership programs, shows initiative. Not only that, but also discussing past challenges and showing growth, as well as leadership experiences allows the interviewer to gauge your problem-solving skills, resilience, and potential to contribute to the college community.
Why are you interested in our college?
Do your research! Show the interviewer you know what makes this college unique such as if they have vocational qualifications, apprenticeship programs, or even higher education programs, and how this aligns with your aspirations.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Everyone has weaknesses, but focus on your strengths and how you’re working to overcome your weaknesses.
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge.
Describe a situation where you overcame an obstacle. Highlight your problem-solving skills and resilience.
Could you describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership?
Have you held a leadership position? This could be anything from volunteering or any extra curricular activity where you have to step up and demonstrate leadership. Showcase your initiative and ability to motivate others.
The final stage of your college interview is your chance to shine the spotlight back on the college. By coming prepared with thoughtful questions, you demonstrate genuine interest and initiative. This is your opportunity to delve deeper into specific programs, student life, or anything else that piqued your curiosity during your research.
Do you have any questions for us?
“Absolutely!” That should always be your response to this question. Prepare thoughtful questions about the college, academics, or student life. Don’t just ask generic questions! Tailor your inquiries to the college you’re interviewing with. For instance, you could ask about research opportunities in your field of interest, unique traditions or clubs, or career services offered to students.
Remember, the interview is a two-way street. College interviews aren’t just about the college evaluating you. It’s also your chance to assess if the college is the right fit for you. Prepare insightful questions to demonstrate your genuine interest and proactive approach, which leaves a lasting positive impression. Here are some excellent questions to ask colleges in interviews:
- What are the biggest strengths of your academic programs in (your area of interest)?
- How does the college support students in finding apprenticeships or job opportunities?
- What is the college community like?
- What are some unique traditions or events at the college?
- How does the college support students from diverse backgrounds?
The best questions are specific and demonstrate you’ve done your research. By asking thoughtful questions, you leave a lasting impression and show the college you’re a proactive and engaged student.
What to Wear at a College Interview
Finally, first impressions matter on how you present yourself. While you don’t need a suit and tie, dressing professionally shows respect for the college and your own confidence. Here are some tips for what to wear to your college interview:
- Professionalism over Personal Style: Opt for neat, clean, and well-fitting clothes. It’s okay to express your personality, but avoid anything too casual or revealing.
- Business Casual is a Safe Bet: Think khakis, dress pants, skirts that fall below the knee, blouses, button-down shirts, or sweaters.
- Accessorise Wisely: Keep accessories simple and professional. A watch or tasteful necklace and earrings are all you need, if you wish to add accessories!
- Comfort is Key: You want to feel confident and comfortable throughout the interview. Avoid stiff or uncomfortable clothing that might distract you.
- Check the Forecast: Dress appropriately for the weather. Being too hot or cold can distract you from the interview. And when indoors, make sure you have your coat off!
Here are some bonus tips:
- Iron your clothes: Wrinkles project a sloppy image.
- Minimise strong perfumes or colognes: Some interviewers may have allergies, and when your first impression is a room overwhelmed with cologne, it can leave a really bad impression, even if you were the best possible candidate!
While some college interviews may still be conducted in person, virtual interviews have become increasingly common. While the pressure to dress to impress might seem less important in a virtual setting, it’s still crucial to present yourself professionally. Here’s how to translate interview attire tips to the world of virtual interviews:
- Up Top Matters: Just because you’re not showing your whole outfit doesn’t mean the top half doesn’t count! Stick with professional attire on top, such as button-down shirts, blouses, sweaters, or turtlenecks in solid colours or subtle patterns.
- Avoid Busy Backgrounds: Consider what will be visible behind you during the interview. A plain wall or a virtual background can prevent distractions. If you choose to use a virtual background, make sure it’s professional and doesn’t take away from the focus of the interview (which is you!).
- Professional Polish: Don’t forget about overall grooming. Style your hair neatly, and keep makeup minimal.
- Lighting and Sound Check: Ensure you’re well-lit from the front to avoid appearing shadowy. Test your microphone and camera beforehand to avoid technical difficulties during the interview.
The goal is to look polished and put-together without being overly formal. Your outfit should showcase your confidence and professionalism without overshadowing your personality and qualifications.
By preparing thoughtful answers, insightful questions, and a professional appearance (whether in person or virtually), you can ensure a successful college interview that leaves a lasting impression. Remember, the interview is a chance for you to not only learn about the college but also showcase yourself as a well-rounded and engaged student. If you’re passionate about a creative field, consider one of the college courses at ACC!
We offer a variety of industry-focused courses in music, media, games, esports, and computing, all designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in your chosen creative career path. Attend an open day to learn more about how Access Creative College can help you turn your creative spark into a successful future!