Interview Tips from Your* Interviewer

If you are like me, college interviews can be one of the most nerve-wracking components of the college application process. Well, now that I have been on the other side of the interview for a couple of weeks, I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! In addition to the tips that you will find on our Admissions Website, I will offer some of the things that I have found can make your interview experience more enjoyable and fruitful. 

Be on Time

One of my professors this term has a philosophy of “saying what goes without saying”, and I am trying to embody that here too. Showing up on time (ideally, even a few minutes early) to your interview shows respect for your interviewer’s time and demonstrates awareness and time management skills. We understand that things happen and unexpected conflicts may come up. If that is the case, don’t be afraid to reach out and reschedule your interview! Our conversations flow better when you are in the right mental and physical state, so we are always happy and ready to be flexible with your schedule. 

Be Informed

While I love answering any and all questions that get thrown my way to the best of my ability, I have to admit it is a little frustrating when I have to give an answer you could have easily found on our website or other Carleton resources. It is perfectly acceptable to admit you are not as well-informed about a particular topic as you would want to be (I will appreciate your honesty too!), but showing us that you have done some basic research about the institution you are interviewing for will be a great way for us to know you are genuinely interested in Carleton and what it has to offer.

Be an Advocate for Yourself

We will never ask you to answer a question or volunteer information about yourself that might make you uncomfortable, but, if at any point you feel unwell, let us know! I would much rather you be honest with me if anything comes up than try to continue with a conversation that doesn’t let us see the best version of you. Similarly, if you need a few seconds to concretize your thoughts before you respond to a difficult question, say that! Silence is welcomed and encouraged -it shows me that you are thinking carefully about your answers.

Be Curious

Finally, ask questions! I love it when prospective students show genuine interest in learning about Carleton from a student perspective and ask specific questions that relate to my experience, our shared interests, or a specific aspect of Carleton they want to learn more about. We always leave about 10-15 minutes for you to ask questions, so make use of that time as best as you can. Ultimately, our conversations are not only for us to learn about you, but for you to learn about Carleton and decide if this is the right school for you. 

As a junior, Fátima (she/her) is excited to continue her pursuit of a SOAN major and (hopefully!) Educational Studies, Latin American Studies, and Cross-cultural Studies minors. Outside class, she enjoys her leadership roles with Fellowship in Christ and the Undergraduate Journal for Humanistic Studies. In her free time, Fátima likes spending time with her mentee, poorly playing the piano, watching cartoons, and desperately missing her dog, Cosmo. Meet the other bloggers!