Chris Boehm, Director of Admission

There are some general rules of thumb and some items that I feel comfortable making recommendations on, but like most things in college admission, nothing is uniform.

Personally, I don’t want an interview to feel like an interview. I’d rather it be a conversation. A perfect interview is a conversation that could be done with a coffee in hand at the local java establishment. Maybe that is why I see so many people doing job interviews at Starbucks while I’m on the road. The interviewee has to be themselves. Here are some recommendations that I think could be standard for all college interviews:

- good handshake
- keep eye-contact with the interviewer
- be able to explain why you are interviewing and why you are interested in the institution that you are interviewing at
- be able to explain what you wish to study and why, if you do not know you should be able to explain why and what might interest you
- do some homework and have some questions about the school or the admission process
- if you’d like to be stealthy, visit a college’s website and try to find out who you are interviewing with, it might make you more comfortable in the conversation
- be honest!

Gray areas/No-Nos:

- Dress- I want a person to be themselves, so I recommend dressing however you would dress during a regular day. This recommendation might not be the best for all schools and interviews. If you are wondering what might be expected call a school’s admission office and ask a student or phone receptionist. They know as much as anyone in the office, actually probably more.
- Questions- “What is the food like”….”What are the parties like”….These are questions that are better asked to students. How you phrase a question says a lot about you. You’d be better off asking “What type of eating options are there on campus” or “What are some of the social opportunities available.”
- Try to feel comfortable but not so comfortable that you feel the interviewer is your new best friend and you can do and say whatever you wish.
- Turn off your cell phone!!!!!! If you forget and your cell phone rings, DO NOT ANSWER IT!!!!!!!! This goes for parents too!!!!!!
- Ask tough, individual questions if you have them. If you are concerned about admission, ask. If you are concerned about the cost, ask. If you are concerned if there is XYZ life on campus, ask.

It is easy to tell people not to be nervous, just be yourself when you are on the other side of the desk. We make the same recommendations when students sit for the SATs, but I don’t really think my words of advice really make anyone feel more comfortable. Just remember the interview is an hour or so of the interviewer’s time as well. They want to enjoy it as much as you hope to do well. Enjoy, open up, converse and TRY to be yourself.

Good luck and have a happy Thanksgiving.