Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2015 - (Page 41)

planning ahead for college The College Admissions Interview Finding a college that's right for you involves getting to know yourself and what you are looking for, researching available options, and determining if you're a good fit for a particular school. The college admissions interview is one way for both you and the college to learn more about how you might fit there. While few colleges require an interview, many provide the opportunity to interview with an admissions representative, either on campus or in your hometown. Interviews typically address your academic background, goals, interests, and what you would contribute to the school. Some colleges offer evaluative or informational interviews; others don't offer interviews at all. An evaluative interview is one in which the college gives some consideration to the interview in the admissions process. Most college interviews aren't evaluative, and those that are generally account for little weight in the admissions process. Informational interviews are intended to give you information about the institution. They do not influence the admissions process. Interviewers may be admissions officers, faculty members, alumni, or current students at the college. An interview lets the interviewer get to know your personality beyond your grades and test scores and gives you an opportunity to describe what you will contribute to the campus community. Remember that you're also gathering information in order to make decisions about where to apply to, and ultimately attend, college for the next four years. An interview is a chance for you to learn more about programs and activities of interest and assess whether a school is a good fit for you. Preparation Research the schools where you're interviewing. You should have a working knowledge of a school's defining characteristics. Research programs, faculty, special projects, and opportunities to find those that may interest you. Make a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Like most things, interviewing is a skill that gets better with practice. Have a friend or family member ask you some typical interview questions. As you respond, remember that interviewers want to get to know you as a person: what's important to you, what makes you unique, and what you might contribute to the by Alysia Decker Majeran, M.Ed. school. They don't just want to know what you do; they want to know why you do it. Show your passion and motivation for your chosen interests. Choose a few ideas and stories to talk about ahead of time. It's likely that one or more of the questions asked will give you an opening. Examples of common interview questions include: l Tell me about yourself. Focus on your passions and what makes you unique, not just the answers or characteristics that any applicant could give. l Why are you interested in our college? Remember that research you did to find out about specific characteristics of a college? Now's your chance to relate them to your interests. l Which of your activities mean the most to you? l What questions do you have? Don't ask questions that can easily be answered by reading the website. Asking thoughtful questions about areas that genuinely interest you shows that you've done your homework and are engaged and interested in learning more about the school. Etiquette Check with each college to learn their interview policy and scheduling requirements. Appointments fill up, so the more lead time, the better. If an interview is offered and you live within reasonable driving distance, you should try to schedule one. Otherwise, the school may wonder how interested you are. l Dress appropriately. That means nice pants and shirt for men and the same or a skirt or dress for women. Making an effort to look nice shows the interviewer that you appreciate the opportunity to meet. Avoid wearing cologne or perfume. l Turn off your cell phone. l Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, and make eye contact during your conversation. Be enthusiastic and frame your responses positively. l After the interview, send a thank you note, either a handwritten card or an email. If there was something about the interview that was helpful to you or that you connected with the interviewer over, include it in your note. Talk about what you enjoyed most about visiting campus, or simply express your continued interest in the school and thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. P erhaps the best advice of all is just to relax and be yourself. The interview is really a discussion about a topic you are an expert on-you! n imagine 41

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2015

Big Picture
In My Own Words
Land & Sea
Going Full Circle with Ocean Conservation
At Home in the Water
Diving into Marine Science
Ocean Views
Becoming a Steward of the Seas
Engineering for Ocean Health
Selected Opportunities and Resources
The Wonderful World of MOOCs
Super
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review: UC San Diego
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2015