Tips for a successful admissions interview

While it's not true for all schools, certain colleges (especially competitive ones) require potential students to come in for an interview with admissions as part of their applications. According to the College Board, these meetings allow school representatives to evaluate candidates and delve deeper into their academic and extracurricular experiences for a more well-rounded understanding of their qualifications. If you're facing an upcoming college admissions interview, here are some tips to make it a success.

Dress the part
Despite the fact that many college students show up to class in their pajamas these days (or clothes that look like PJs), you'll need to dress the part if you want to impress an admissions officer. You don't need to wear a formal dress or suit and tie combination, but make sure your clothing communicates that you're a respectful and worthy candidate for their school, according to the New York Times' education blog, The Choice.

Know why you want to go there
Along with your academic history, the interviewer will primarily want to hear a thoughtful answer to the question: "Why do you want to attend this school?" If you can't respond to that question quickly and easily, you'll have a hard time convincing anyone that they should select you as a student, reports The Princeton Review.

Don't get too comfortable
College representatives want to evaluate your credentials as a student, but this doesn't mean they want to make you feel nervous or out of place. However, you should be careful not to get too comfortable during the interview, according to The Choice. While you might feel like making a few jokes won't do any harm, casual comments can quickly cross the line into inappropriate territory, so keep the conversation semi-professional.

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