Making the Most of College Interviews in 10 Steps

Making the Most of College Interviews in

10 Easy Steps

From a parent of 2 college grads and a survivor of 26 years of college interviewing

My Background

Dave Tuchler

Interviewing high school seniors for 26 years

Students from all North Shore Chicago high schools

200+ interviews since 1988 Successfully got 2 daughters

into -- and through -- college

2© 2014 Peregrine Advisors – do not distribute without permission

Why Should You Care?

Interviews are usually not the most critical admissions factor

BUT – they are a great opportunity to set yourself apart in very competitive environment

College Maybe Not a Great Idea

Genius Candidates

Many Great Candidates


The Interview - Purpose

Gives the school insight into candidates An opportunity to show who you are!

Gives you some insight into the school

Lets alumni promote their school

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Important: Interviewers don’t have your application So assume they know nothing about you But not necessary to talk about grades, scores, etc.

© 2014 Peregrine Advisors – do not distribute without permission

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The most important thing:

Relax!

Be You!© 2014 Peregrine Advisors – do not distribute without permission

Tip #1 – Plan Ahead

Manage your identity! Avoid inappropriate e-mail address or ringtone Clean up FB/Twitter/other online identities

Respond quickly to request for interview Do NOT have your parents make arrangements (or wait around

during the interview)

Exchange contact info: cell phone # and e-mail (in case something comes up)


Tip #2 – Be On Time

Target getting there 5-10 minutes early Check a map or test run ahead of time Allow 15-30 minutes extra for the unexpected

If more than 1 minute late, briefly apologize If running late, call interviewer from car (pull over!) to let

them know

If you need to end the interview by a certain time, let the interviewer know ahead of time


Tip #3 – Treat The Interviewer with Respect

ALWAYS USE ‘Mr. This’ or ‘Ms. That’ Or ‘Dr.’ or ‘Colonel’ or whatever if appropriate NOT ‘Hi Jim’ or ‘What’s up’, ‘Thanks Dave’, etc. Let interviewer say it’s ok to call them something

else Better too formal than too informal Applies to in-person, emails, everywhere

No backslapping, hugs, fist bumps, etc. Only appropriate point of contact: hands

Cell phone off (or silent) and DON’T check it during interview

Do NOT ‘friend’ your interviewer (FB) Even if you have a lot in common

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Do NOT hug your interviewer!


Tip #4 – Dress for Success

Be you - - a clean, respectful you You are NOT in your friend’s basement

Example: khakis/clean jeans; clean/neat hair

NO: Jeans hanging / boxers exposed Hats/caps Gum Ratty sneakers/jeans/t-shirts Revealing clothes or heavy makeup Too much Axe or Justin Bieber Girlfriend

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NO!


Tip #5 – Make a Great First Impression

Stand up to greet the interviewer Make eye contact, SMILE! Show confidence Firm handshake Clearly say ‘nice to meet you’

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In interview, sit up straight, lean slightly forward, maintain eye contact

It’s not an interrogation - Have a conversation!

Bring something to write on/with


Handshake – mini workshop

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Tip #6 – Know Why You’re There(And Why They’re There)

Remember – they’re doing this because they LOVE their school(So be enthusiastic - - and don’t call their baby ugly)

Why are you interested in College X? How did you decide where to apply overall?(Balance of factors: academic, student life, climate, campus) What does this have to do with your life interests?

(of course, how much can you really know when you’re 18?)

Do your research!! Know something about the school - - its strengths, uniqueness,

curriculum, size, etc.


Tip #7 – Show Your Uniqueness

Who are you? What are you passionate about? How are you different? What do you do/read/explore in your free

time? What extracurricular activities might you want

to try in college? Are you aware of current events? Do you have

an opinion about things?

What makes you a great candidate for this school?

Be enthusiastic about what you do!


A Few Possible Questions Tell me about some of your extracurricular activities. What are some of your favorite classes? Why? What did you do last summer? If I made you principal of your school, what changes would you make? As you think about all of your accomplishments, what are you most proud of? If you had an entire day free - no responsibilities, etc. - how would you spend the

day? If I gave you a three-hour free shopping spree at a bookstore, what kind of

books / reading material would you get? What books would you leave on the shelves?

If you could take a friend to any place in the world, who would you take and where would you go? Why?

If I were a prospective student to your high school, what would you like me to know about it? What courses, activities, or characteristics would you describe?

What criteria are you using to choose a college? What is on your "wish list" for the perfect college? How do you judge the academic strength of a school?

What event at your school would you say received the most attention /interest? Given one hour to talk to the President, what issue/issues would you discuss? If you could have a conversation with any three people from the present or from

history who would you choose and why? 14© 2014 Peregrine Advisors – do not distribute without permission

Tip #8 – Prepare A Few Good Questions

Your turn to lead the conversation

Most questions should be specific to the school Avoid superficial stuff (how’s the food) Don’t ask about info available online

Imagine you’ve just been accepted by every school you applied to What would you need to know to make your

college decision?

Just need a few questions But OK to have them written down


Tip #9 – Leave a Good Impression

Let the interviewer end the interview

Express your thanks and continued enthusiasm about the school

Another firm handshake with eye contact and a smile


Tip #10 – SEND A THANK YOU PROMPTLY!!

Join the few, the proud, the candidates who say thank you!

Do it immediately after the interview Same day if possible

Preferred: written card/note or e-mail Can also call Better than nothing: text

Don’t be afraid to re-contact the interviewer afterward if you have questions


BONUS TIP - Find other ways to make yourself stand out

Make contact with someone at/connected with the school Example: Contact a sports coach if you have even slight

interest – they might need you! Contact leaders of other clubs/activities if you have

interest (newspaper, band, orchestra, chess, debate, poms, etc)

Speak with a family friend who went to that school You never know who someone is connected with! Consider using LinkedIn to find connections

Visit! In person, online, at open houses Always register! (so they know you were there) Let them know you’re interested!

But don’t harass or stalk!18© 2014 Peregrine Advisors – do not distribute without permission

10 College Interviewing Tips - Review

1. Plan Ahead/ Manage your identity

2. Be On Time

3. Treat Interviewer with Respect

4. Dress for Success

5. Make a good first impression (firm handshake!)

6. Know why you’re there

7. Show your uniqueness

8. Prepare a few good questions

9. Leave a good final impression

10. Send a prompt Thank You afterward

BONUS: Find creative ways to connect and demonstrate your interest

You have a lot to offer - - make sure the interviewer knows it!


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GOOD LUCK - - YOU’LL DO GREAT!


[email protected]

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Marketing insights and strategy Communications optimization

Consumer and B2B Over 30 years of experience

Northbrook, IL773.220.5996

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Making the Most of College Interviews in 10 Steps

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