college essay guy interview questions

Top 25 College Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Ah, college interview questions. For many aspiring college students, the idea of participating in a college interview is, in a word, terrifying. Like a job interview, this meeting may determine whether you get into your first-choice school. Cue the anxiety, right? Well, that may not be necessary.

First, yes, it’s true that not all colleges conduct interviews, especially at the undergraduate level. However, they are standard practice at others, particularly with highly competitive programs.

Boston University – which only admits about 23 percent of applicants – has undergraduate interviews for at least some of its programs. Harvard – which has an acceptance rate of just 4.9 percent – actually has an alumni interviewer process , where prospective students speak with a Harvard alum, which catches some applicants off guard.

Now, does that mean you should panic? Hardly. Instead, you need to prepare. So, if you want to make sure you rock your college interview questions, here’s what you need to know to pull it off.

How to Answer College Interview Questions

Alright, before we dig into example college interview questions, let’s take a quick step back and talk strategy. With the right approach, you increase your odds of excelling during your interview. Not only will you be able to nail the questions we’ll be covering in a minute, but you’ll be equipped to navigate the unexpected.

Why does that matter? Because there is no way to know exactly what you’ll be asked. Sure, most college interviews are going to have some classic questions, so you can see those coming from a mile away. The thing is, there’s also going to be some doozies that weren’t on your radar. It’s inevitable.

With the right strategy, you know how to approach your answer. You’ll have a tried-and-true methodology by your side, allowing you to think faster on your feet. When it comes to standing out for all of the right reasons, that’s really the ticket.

So, if you want to create a great strategy, it’s helpful to know what the college interviewer wants to see. In many cases, the admissions committee is looking for evidence that you could excel at the school. They want to see drive, passion, and enthusiasm for both the college itself and the program. They also want to know that you can overcome challenges, have the right tools to keep your education on target, like organization and communication skills.

There’s also a good chance that they’ll want to discuss various aspects of your college application, your accomplishments, and your goals. This helps them see you as a full person, making it easier for them to decide if you’ll be a great addition to the school.

Before your interview, spend a little time reviewing your application, including your essays. This refreshes your memory about what the admissions committee already knows about you.

Additionally, look at the school website and program page. Look for mission and values statements, review any quotes they share, and look for clues about the college’s and program’s priorities. By doing that, you can align your answers with their preferences, making you a stronger match.

After that, you need to prepare for the kinds of questions you’ll face. Straightforward questions – like “Do you have experience with X?” – are pretty simple. You say “yes” or “no,” and then follow it up with either an example that shows you do or an overview of how you would acquire a skill or learn about a topic if you don’t. Easy, right?

Now, there are trickier questions to handle, namely, behavioral interview questions. We’ve talked about behavioral interview questions in-depth before, but here’s the gist. These are questions open-ended questions that are commonly scenario-based. You’ll have to explain how you’d tackled a particular scenario or discuss an example of how you’ve put your skills to work in the past to handle something similar.

So, what approach should you use to manage behavioral interview questions? Glad you asked. First, begin with a heaping helping of the STAR Method . With that, you are using a storytelling approach that makes crafting a relevant and compelling answer easier.

Next, mix in a couple of spoonfuls of Tailoring Method . With the Tailoring Method, you really focus on customizing your response in a way that speaks directly to what the interview or admission committee values.

Mix those two techniques together thoroughly, and you have a recipe for success.

We also wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions!

Click below to get your free PDF now:

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Top 3 College Interview Questions

Alright, you’ve got a great strategy for handling college interview questions. So, what comes next? Well, reviewing a few examples, of course.

By looking at sample college interview questions, you can learn more about how to put the STAR Method and Tailoring Method to work. It gives you a chance to see them in action, and that makes a difference.

So, without any further ado, here are the top three college interview questions and example answers.

1. Why do you want to attend this college?

College interviewers ask this question because they want to know that your interest in this school is real. Essentially, they want to see that you applied here for a good reason, not just because it was convenient, you thought getting in would be easy, or because your parents or guidance counselor said to.

Here, you want to mix a little bit of flattery with some solid knowledge about what this school brings to the table. The interviewer wants to know that you’re excited about more than furthering your education; namely, this specific college.

Exactly how you need to go about answering will depend on the school and why you choose to apply. However, the technique you’ll use stays the same.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“I wanted to not only attend a school with an outstanding reputation in my chosen program, but also a larger institution that values diversity in its staff and student body. During my childhood, I had the opportunity to live in many other countries since my father was in the military. We got to explore each of the cultures, and I learned the value of being exposed to new perspectives and ways of thinking. I believe that diversity enriches the academic experience, and I know that is a value this college and I share.”

2. Why did you choose this program/major?

Here’s another question that’s all about gauging your interest and passion. Interviewers don’t want to hear that you chose a program or major as an afterthought; they want to learn about a solid reason why you’re heading in this direction.

Ideally, you want to touch on a driving force, something that really sparked your interest in the field. Additionally, tie it into a future aspiration, such as your target career or professional field and why it’s your goal to get there.

“My interest in engineering actually came up in childhood. I was enamored with the giant roller coasters I saw when my family went to Six Flags, especially the steel coasters with all of the twists, turns, and loops. I began exploring the designs, initially with toys like K’nex and Erector sets. The more I built, the more my passion grew. I began exploring skyrise construction, bridge building, and other engineering marvels. It wasn’t long before I knew that is where I wanted to take my career, allowing me to one day be a part of a construction wonder that captivated me as a child.”

3. Tell me about an academic challenge you faced. What did you do to overcome it?

No school experience is without the occasional challenge. Maybe there was a subject that was particularly tough for you, or you had to change schools several times, making your school years a bit disjointed. Maybe you have test anxiety.

The trick with this question is honesty but also showing that you’ve got some fortitude. After all, if you’re answering college interview questions, that means you graduated high school or earned a GED, so you obviously found a way to navigate the situation. Mention the difficulty, but spend more time talking about how you discovered a way to succeed.

“Like many students, I suffer from test anxiety. My academic performance outside of exams was typically top-notch, but when it came to tests, my nerves were hard to overcome. Luckily, I discovered an approach that worked for me. I found that studying continuously in small doses made me more confident in my knowledge and made the material easier to absorb. I also joined study groups for subjects I found more challenging, giving me an additional resource and source of confidence. This allowed me to avoid cramming, as that would often amp up my anxiety. Additionally, I learned a breathing technique that I can use as I’m taking the exam. It’s simple and subtle, allowing me to calm my nerves and regain my focus whenever the need arises. Together with the studying techniques, I am able to perform at my best during tests, ensuring I can showcase my understanding of a subject with greater ease.”

22 More College Interview Questions

Here are 22 more college interview questions you might encounter:

• What do you feel are your academic strengths? How do they help you excel as a student?
• Tell me about your academic weaknesses? How do you plan on improving or navigating them?
• What is something unique that you can bring to the student body?
• Do you plan on taking part in any extracurricular activities or clubs?
• If you could change one thing about your high school experience, what would it be, and why?
• Why do you feel that going to college is the right move for you? Did you consider other options for launching a career?
• Who inspired you most as you were growing up?
• Who is your favorite author, and why?
• What do you do to destress or have fun?
• Do you think your academic performance here will mirror your high school performance? Why or why not?
• How can this college and program help you achieve your long-term career goals?
• If you weren’t focusing on this major, what would you choose instead?
• What do you want to get out of your college experience?
• Describe your ideal school culture, both academically and otherwise.
• Are you considering other colleges? If so, which ones are you thinking about, and why?
• Tell me something about you that isn’t in your college application or essays.
• If you attend this school, do you plan on living on-campus or off-campus? Why are you intending on going in that direction?
• Which subject was the most difficult for you in high school?
• Are there any graduation requirements that worry you?
• How do you plan on spending your school breaks?
• What skill did you learn in high school that you feel is most important to your future success?
• Describe the kind of student you are when in the classroom.

5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of a College Interview

At the end of your interview, you’ll usually get a chance to flip the script and ask a few questions yourself. Make sure that you have some questions to ask the college interviewer ready. Otherwise, you’re missing out on an opportunity.

What opportunity is that? Well, by asking questions, you look more enthusiastic and interested. That matters. Plus, you get a chance to find out more about the school, program, or anything else that may impact your college experience. That’s important, too.

While you can certainly customize your questions based on what you learn during your interview, it doesn’t hurt to have a few in your back pocket. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are five good questions to ask a college interviewer.

• What do you love most about this college?
• Is there anything that really differentiates this program from those at other schools?
• Are there any academic changes on the horizon at this college?
• What do the most successful students in this major have in common?
• If you could change one thing about this college, what would it be, and why?

Putting It All Together

While heading in for a college interview can be scary, it’s also incredibly exciting. You’re getting a chance to move closer to your dream school and career. That’s amazing.

Before your interview time arrives, take advantage of the tips above. That way, you can show them that you’re the ideal student for them, increasing your odds of getting a spot at your preferred college.

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

Download our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you word-for-word sample answers to some of the most common interview questions including:

• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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62 episodes

Practical, up-to-date interviews with experts in college admissions, financial aid, personal statements, test prep and more. Ethan Sawyer (aka College Essay Guy), interviews deans of admission, financial aid experts, and veterans of the admissions field to extract, then distill their advice into practical steps for students and those guiding them through the process. From creating an awesome college list to appealing a financial aid letter, Ethan skips the general advice and gets right to the action items, all in an effort to bring more ease, joy and purpose into the college admissions process.

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions Ethan Sawyer

• 4.6 • 198 Ratings
• MAR 26, 2024

What Colleges Want (Part 6): Demonstrated Interest: What Is it, Why Is it Important, and How Do You Show it? with Dean of Enrollment Christine Bowman

On today’s episode, Ethan is joined by Christine Bowman, Assistant VP for Admission at Southwestern University. In part 6 in our series on What Colleges Want, Ethan and Christine get into: What is demonstrated interest and how do colleges track it?  How important is demonstrated interest to a student’s chance of getting in? How might students find out if a particular school considers demonstrated interest in their admission review? What are some practical ways you can demonstrate your interest to colleges? Christine Bowman is the Assistant VP for Admission at Southwestern, where she oversees the admission department to set enrollment and retention philosophies. She has a Masters in Higher Ed Administration from UT-Austin, was the Co-Chair for the 2007 NACAC National Conference in and has served two terms as the Chair of the Colleges that Change Lives Board of Directors (see last season’s episode with Ann Marano for more on CTCL’s work). She currently serves on the advisory board of ROCA-NM (Rural Opportunities for College Access) and, with almost 30 years of experience in the admission profession, Christine believes in guiding students to find the right college fit and regularly gives presentations encouraging a stress-free college search process. We hope you enjoy the conversation!    Play-by-Play 2:15 - What is demonstrated interest? 5:00 - Why might demonstrated interest be important to colleges? 8:22 - What is yield? 11:24 - How can students demonstrate interest for a particular school?  15:17 - What can colleges track? 18:52 - For whom does demonstrated interest matter most?  23:47 - How to “break up” with a college 27:05 - What are some practical tips for students as they reach out to a college? 30:10 - How might an admissions officer use demonstrated interest? 32:58 - What ways can students demonstrate interest without visiting campus? 37:24 - What is the difference between early action, early decision, and regular decision? 40:25 - How important is the college interview? 48:10 - What can parents do to support their students during this process? 53:02 - Closing advice for parents, students, and counselors    Resources A Behind the Scenes Look at Demonstrated Interest w/Christine Bowman (Southwestern University) What is Demonstrated Interest? A Practical How-To Guide Factors in the Admission Decision (NACAC Report) How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) College Interview Tips and Strategies - The Ultimate Guide CEG Podcast Episode 411: Finding Your Why, What a Liberal Arts Education Really Is, and How to Figure out What You Actually Want w/ Ann Marano (CTCL)  

• MAR 12, 2024

What Colleges Want (Part 5): A Crash Course in the Supplemental Essays + Application with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)

On this week’s episode, Tom Campbell (CEG’s Community Manager) sits down with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy) for Part 5 in our What Colleges Want series to talk about some of the other written parts of the application—the activities list, additional information section, and supplemental essays. Tom and Ethan get into: How can students write a great Activities List?  How can you find out what colleges are looking for in the supplemental essays? And what even is the additional information section? What is a ‘Super Essay’ and how might it be useful? How does a student know when their application is complete? Fun fact: You’ll find the YouTube video version of this podcast on the College Essay Guy YouTube channel.   Play-by-Play 1:09 - What are the other writing components of a college application? 5:26 - How can students write a great Activities List?  9:33 - Does the order of the activities matter? 11:41 - Are activities from 9th and 10th grade worth putting in the Activities List? 13:37 - When should students elaborate on Activities in their Additional Info section? 17:05 - What else can go into the Additional Info section?  23:14 - What are some things to avoid putting in the Additional Info section? 24:41 - How should students format the Additional Info section? 26:19 - Why do some colleges have supplemental essays? 27:31 - What are some of the most common supplemental essays prompts? 34:11 - How might institutional priorities impact an individual applicant?  44:14 - What is a ‘Super Essay’ and how is it used? 49:12 - How does a student know when their application is complete?   Resources How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section: Guide + Examples My College List (Research + Essay Topic Tracker) School-Specific Supplemental Essays Why This College Essay Guide + Examples How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts (To Save 20+ Writing Hours) What the Heck are "Hooks" and "Institutional Priorities"? The Values Exercise CEG Podcast Episode 101: Life As an Undocumented Student at Harvard CEG Podcast Episode 504: What Colleges Want (Part 4): A Crash Course in the Personal Statement with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)

• MAR 5, 2024

What Colleges Want (Part 4): A Crash Course in the Personal Statement with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)

On this week’s episode, Tom Campbell (CEG’s Community Manager) sits down with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy) for Part 4 in our What Colleges Want series to talk about the personal statement. According to the latest State of College Admission report – after grades, course rigor, and positive character traits (see previous episodes), the college essay is what colleges care about most. Tom and Ethan get into:  What is the purpose of the personal statement?  How do you find a topic, especially if you’re not writing about challenges?   Why do I recommend students NOT choose a common extracurricular activity as their main college essay topic?  How do you stand out?  And how do you know when you’re done? Fun fact: You’ll find the YouTube video version of this podcast on the College Essay Guy YouTube channel.   Play-by-Play 1:38 - What is the purpose of the personal statement in the college admission process? 2:53 - How might students use this statement for multiple schools?  3:48 - Should students talk about challenges they’ve faced in a personal statement?  6:47 - Should students talk about their major or career goals? 8:33 - Where is the best place to discuss extracurricular activities?  10:20 - Should students explain red flags in their personal statement? 11:26 - How can students brainstorm potential topics for their personal statement? 17:56 - What is the structure of a personal statement? 21:11 - How can students stand out? 28:57 - Case Study: What does the process look like from brainstorming to final draft? 35:39 - How does a student know when their essay is done? 38:27 - Is there a place for artificial intelligence in the college essay? 41:47 - have personal statements shifted since the Supreme Court ruling on Race-Conscious Admissions? 44:04 - Why does the personal statement process matter? 49:14 - Closing thoughts   Resources YouTube Video version of this episode (504) Sample personal statements 7 Brainstorming Exercises (YouTube video) The “Food” essay (YouTube video analysis) The Great College Essay Test Why You Don’t Have to Write about Trauma in Your College Essay to Stand Out—and What You Can Do Instead Matchlighters Informaiton CEG Podcast Episode 404: Race-Conscious Admission Was Struck Down—What Does This Mean and What Can Students and College Counselors Do? w/ Jay Rosner Is It “Okay” to Talk About Race in Your College Application and Essays—And If So, How Should You Do It?  

• FEB 13, 2024

What Colleges Want (Part 3): "Positive Character Attributes": What Are They, and How Do You Show Them in Your College Application?

In today’s two-part episode, we’re delving into one of the potentially more confusing aspects of what colleges want — “positive character attributes” — which 65.8% of colleges give considerable or moderate importance.  In part 1, I’m joined by Tom Bear (VP for Enrollment at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) and Bob Massa (former chief admissions/enrollment officer at Johns Hopkins University, Dickinson College and Drew University) to discuss: What are these positive character attributes? Why are they important to colleges? How do colleges decide which qualities to seek and how to evaluate for them? How do students show these qualities in their application?  Part 2 is with Trisha Ross Anderson, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common Project, and we get into: How Making Caring Common helps colleges figure out what they are looking for How some colleges are working to increase access and equity in admissions Advice to parents as they navigate this process with their students Tom Bear has been working in college enrollment since 1987 at a variety of institutions, including as VP for Enrollment at University of Evansville, Senior Director of Enrollment at Notre Dame and now as the VP for Enrollment at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He joined the Character Collaborative in 2017, served as Board Chair and will chair NACAC’s Character Focus Initiative. Bob Massa got his Doctorate in Higher Education from Columbia, served as the chief admissions/enrollment officer at Johns Hopkins University, Dickinson College and Drew University and Co- founded the Character Collaborative in 2016. Although he has retired from full-time work after 45 years of campus-based work, he is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s online masters program in enrollment management. Trisha Ross Anderson has served on research teams at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for the past 13 years. She’s worked with the Making Caring Common (MCC) Project to help write reports including one called Turning the Tide that focuses on reform of the college admission process. She leads MCC’s college admissions initiatives with Richard Weissbourd and currently serves on NACAC’s Character Focus Initiative Advisory Council.    Play-by-Play 0:00 - Meet Tom Bear and Bob Massa (Part 1) 2:12 - What do colleges mean by “positive character attributes”?  3:55 - What are some examples of these “positive character attributes”?   4:58 - Why is it important for students, parents, and counselors to think about these qualities? 7:16 - How do colleges decide what qualities they’re looking for? 12:04 - How do colleges evaluate students for these qualities? 13:09 - Example of a rubric on extraordinary commitment to others 19:10 - Why don’t colleges share their rubrics for what they’re looking for? 21:18 - What can students do to better understand what a particular school is looking for? 24:08 - How do colleges evaluate “character” in an applicant?  29:58 - What is the high school profile and how is it used in a student’s evaluation? 31:20 - Why is it important to think about positive character attributes now? 35:56 - How can students demonstrate these qualities in their college applications?  40:00 - What can parents do to help their students in this process?  42:01 - Meet Trisha Ross Anderson (Part 2) 43:09 - What is the Making Caring Common (MCC) project? 44:37 - How is MCC working with colleges?  46:17 - Why is it difficult to create a rubric for these qualities? 48:16 - How is MCC helping colleges decide on what they are looking for?  52:45 - How is MCC helping colleges to increase equity and access in the college admissions process? 57:33 - Advice for parents on navigating this process with their students 1:01:31 - Closing thoughts    Resources Making Caring Common Character Assessment in College Admission Guide Turning the Tide (2016): Insp

• JAN 24, 2024

502: What Colleges Want (Part 2): A Deep Dive into GPA, Course Selection, and Making the Most of the Academic Opportunities Available to You

On today’s episode, Tom Campbell (CEG’s Community Manager) and Nitzya Cuevas-Macias (Director of College Programs at Downtown College Prep) cover: How do students decide which classes to take—and what questions should they ask when deciding? Key recommendations for selecting English, math, science, social studies, language, and elective courses The most frequently asked questions we get asked about courses and grades Nitzya Cuevas-Macias was a first-gen college student at UC Berkeley where she studied History and Legal Studies, and earned her Master’s in Mexican American Studies from San José State. She’s been working in education for 16 years where the majority of her time has been in college access and success, in the CBO, non-profit world, k-12 public and charter, and community college. Currently, she is the Director of College Programs at Downtown College Prep, a free public charter in San José, CA and serves as a board member of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 2:21 - Introductions 6:02 - What are key things to keep in mind when planning your high school experience?  10:21 - Subject area recommendations 11:40 - English  16:04 - Math 21:34 - Science  28:02 - Social Studies 31:11 - Languages 33:06 - Visual/Performing Arts  36:17 - Electives 36:39 - Rapid-fire FAQs about grades 37:43 How do colleges evaluate my course grades and transcript? 38:22 - Is it important to only get Straight-As to have a chance?  40:29 - How do colleges evaluate my GPA? 42:05 - How can students balance a high GPA with challenging courses? 44:28 - Should students increase their rigor every year? 45:23 - Is it a good idea to take additional summer or online courses? 49:43 - How important is class rank? 51:19 - Should I pick Honors, AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment?  54:17 - Are AP and IB scores important if my school doesn’t offer AP courses? 57:28 - How do I know what classes to take if I don't know what I want to study or where I want to go to college? 59:59 - Wrap up / closing thoughts Resources: Coursera UC Scout Episode 403: AP, IB, Honors, Oh My!: How Admissions Officers View Your High School Courses, Rigor, and School Context - Susan Tree Episode 213: Self-Directed Learning (Why You Can Quit HS & Be Okay) What are AP classes? IB vs AP Easiest AP Classes Hardest AP Classes

• JAN 9, 2024

What Colleges Want (Part 1): A Deep Dive into the Factors Colleges Deem Important & State of College Admissions Report

Show Notes On today's episode, Ethan sits down with David Hawkins, Chief Education and Policy Officer at National Association of College Admission Counselors (aka NACAC), and they get discuss, among other things:  What are the most important factors colleges consider?  What significant changes has he seen in the college admission landscape in the past few years? How has the emphasis on college essays (aka the personal statement) shifted?  Why has the emphasis in standardized testing changed? What have the impacts been of the Supreme Court decision to ban race conscious admission?  How can students, counselors, and parents use the info in this report to make their college admission process easier?  For over 20 years, David Hawkins has worked in enrollment management and admissions to alleviate systemic barriers to accessing higher education. Hawkins has played a key role in setting NACAC's strategic direction, which involved hearing and representing the collective voice of NACAC’s more than 25,000 high school counselors and college admission officers. His priorities include making NACAC a more effective learning organization, with an emphasis on ethics and redefining advocacy.  We hope you enjoy the conversation.   Play-by-Play 2:04 - Introductions 3:03 - What is the State of College Admission report? 5:48 - How can students, parents, and counselors use this report? 9:50 - Which factors of admissions decisions are most important to colleges? 13:34 - How are “positive character attributes” assessed? 18:00 - What are some specific qualities that are important to colleges? 20:46 - How do students show these qualities in their applications? 25:33 - How has the importance of the college essay shifted in recent years? 27:13 - Which colleges seem to value the essay more highly? 28:47 - How does a student’s interest in attending a particular school influence admissions decisions? 32:30 - How are counselor & teacher recommendations assessed? 33:58 - What are admissions officers looking for in extracurricular activities? 37:38 - Why is high school class rank dropping in rank of importance?  39:30 - Do colleges still want to see standardized test scores? 42:52 - Quick thoughts on creative portfolios, interviews, work experience, state exam scores, and subject test scores 44:49 - David shares predictions on shifts in equity and inclusion in the future of admissions 48:57 - Closing thoughts    Resources State of College Admission Report What is Demonstrated Interest? A Practical How-To Guide A List of Activities You May Not Have Considered Including—But That Count! How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for College: Step-by-Step Guide for Students How to Write a Letter of Recommendation: Counselor's Guide + Samples How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Student: Teacher’s Guide + Samples Crash Course to Standardized Testing Podcast Episodes: 204: What You Need to Know About Standardized Tests and Mistakes to Avoid 411: Finding Your Why, What a Liberal Arts Education Really Is, and How to Figure out What You Actually Want  

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 14 college interview questions you must prepare for.

College Admissions

The college interview process can be nerve-racking. This interview gives the college you're applying to another opportunity to evaluate you and help determine whether or not to offer you admission. However, your college interviews won't be nearly as scary if you know what to expect.

In this article, I give you the 14 college interview questions you absolutely must prepare for. I explain why you're being asked these questions and how to provide great answers. Furthermore, I offer advice on how to prepare for your interviews so that when the time comes, you'll be ready to ace them.

A Short Introduction to College Interviews

A college interview provides a college with an opportunity to give you more information about the school and answer any questions. In addition, the interview gives the college a chance to learn more about you, your interests, and how you'll be able to contribute to the school.

Very few colleges require interviews, although a fair number offer optional or recommended ones. These are typically highly selective or small private colleges, such as Columbia , Occidental , and Bates . Most large public universities don't even offer interviews because there are simply too many applicants.

Check a college's website or contact its admissions office to determine whether interviews are offered and how to schedule one. Interviews can be on-campus, usually with an admissions representative, or off-campus near where you live, usually with an alumnus of the college.

If you have the option of getting interviewed, do it. It's to your benefit to take advantage of an opportunity to interview because it shows the school that you're genuinely interested in attending. And demonstrating interest can greatly help your chances of admission. Finally, the interview gives the school another chance to get to know you outside of what's in your application.

Try not to stress about the interview too much, though. As long as you're polite, attentive, and prepared, it should only help your chances of getting accepted. The interview will also give you an opportunity to learn more about the school, and help you decide whether or not it might be a good fit for you.

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The 14 Most Common College Interview Questions

The questions I'm listing and explaining were either referenced in multiple admissions websites and interview advice guides, or are general enough that you'll be able to answer a number of similar questions by preparing for them.

Below, I provide you with each question. I then explain why colleges are asking it, what they're looking for in a response, and how you can prepare for the question ahead of time.

Question 1: Tell Me About Yourself

This isn't even actually a question, but it's something you might be asked to do in an interview. Because it's so general, you might have trouble figuring out where to begin.

Why they're asking this: Colleges are asking you to do this because they really do want to know more about you. That's one of the primary purposes of the interview, after all!

What they're looking for: You need to paint a unique portrait of who you are to separate yourself from other applicants. Avoid clichés or descriptions that would be too common. For example, don't just say you're hardworking—explain what has driven you to become as diligent as you are and why you feel it is important.

How to prepare: Rehearse answering this question. Try talking about your passions, hobbies, and interests. You can discuss what inspires you or what your friends like about you. Be specific. Again, you want to make yourself memorable .

Question 2: Why Are You Interested In This College?

Why they're asking this: This is an important question and one you should definitely prepare for, since colleges want to see that you're taking the application process seriously and have a legitimate interest in attending the school.

What they're looking for: Talk about your interest in a major or academic program, the cultural values of the school, or extracurricular activities that drew you to the college. Again, be thorough and specific. Don't talk about prestige or rankings, and don't say you just want to go there because it's close to home; none of this shows genuine interest in this specific college!

How to prepare: To answer this question well, you'll need to conduct extensive college research before the interview. You should be able to cite specifics when answering this question. Follow the same advice as if you were writing the answer to this question for your application essay .

Bart Everson /Flickr

Question 3: Why Do You Want to Major in _____?

If you've indicated that you want to major in a certain subject, you might be asked why you're interested in that particular field.

Why they're asking this: Colleges are interested in your academic goals and want to see that you're academically inclined.

What they're looking for: Talk about why a certain subject inspires you or why you're passionate about it. Don't say that you're pursuing a certain major to make a lot of money or have job security. That doesn't demonstrate genuine academic interest; it just makes you seem shallow.

How to prepare: Think deeply about why you want to pursue a specific major. Why do you find it fascinating? What experiences provoked your interest in the subject? How will the major enable you to reach your future professional goals?

Question 4: What Are Your Academic Strengths?

Why they're asking this: In an effort to get to know you as a student, colleges are interested in getting your perspective on where you excel academically.

What they're looking for: Don't make this answer too short. Don't just say, "I'm good at science." When discussing your academic strengths, explain how you've capitalized on your strengths. If you're an excellent writer, for example, how have you used your writing skills to excel in school? How do you plan on continuing to use your strengths?

How to prepare: Make sure you know your academic strengths. You should be able to explain how you recognized your strengths, how you're currently using them, and how you plan to use them in the future.

Question 5: What Are Your Academic Weaknesses? How Have You Addressed Them?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit good students, but they're aware everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Colleges want to see that you have the persistence and work ethic to succeed despite your challenges.

What they're looking for: Schools want students who can demonstrate their ability to confront and overcome challenges. Try revealing strategies or specific approaches you've taken to improve your academic weaknesses. You could also tell a specific story about how you managed to do well in a subject that was especially difficult for you.

How to prepare: Be aware of your academic weaknesses and how you've addressed them. It's not good to say that you don't have any weaknesses. That's not very believable, and you'll come off as arrogant.

Question 6: What Do You Plan to Contribute to This School?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit students who will make positive contributions to campus and academic life. Essentially, they're looking for students who will make the school better.

What they're looking for: In short, specifics. Don't limit your answer to vague positive traits. Don't just say you'll contribute a good work ethic and a regard for others. Is there specific research you wish to pursue? Do you want to have a leadership position in an extracurricular activity? Are there specific community service projects you want to do? How will your presence on campus and in the classroom make a difference?

How to prepare: Know the specific contributions you want to make to the school. Identify your college goals as well as the activities you want to pursue while you're in college.

Question 7: What Do You Expect to Be Doing 10 Years From Now?

Why they're asking this: Just to set the record straight, you don't need to have your entire future figured out. Colleges understand that you probably won't have everything decided and your plans are likely to change. What they do want is students with direction.

What they're looking for: Colleges want students who are motivated to achieve their goals. The bad, general answer is to only say you expect to have a fulfilling career and be making a positive impact on the world. What are some specific activities you'd like to do? How do you plan on impacting the world? You don't have to limit your plans to professional goals. Do you want to take your mom on a vacation? Or have weekly gatherings with your best friends from high school?

How to prepare: You can write down some detailed notes answering this question. Paint a picture of the life you want to have in 10 years. That picture should reveal your uniqueness.

Question 8: What Would You Change About Your High School?

Why they're asking this: With this question, colleges are looking for your ability to identify problems and get a better understanding of what you're looking for in a school. By learning what you'd change, they get a chance to learn more about what matters to you .

What they're looking for: Colleges want a thoughtful response. Be specific and respectful. Don't say, "I'd get better teachers." Say that you'd allocate more resources to the music department so that more students can have the opportunity to learn how to play new instruments. Discuss how learning an instrument helped you, and describe the current state of the music department. Try to make it clear that you want to improve your school to benefit the personal and academic growth of all of its students.

How to prepare: Think about the strengths and weaknesses of your high school. What are some specific problems it has? What are the consequences of those problems? What steps would you take to make improvements?

Shouldn't other kids have the opportunity to rock out like this? ( Joe Lewis /Flickr)

Question 9: Whom Do You Most Admire?

Why they're asking this: From this question, colleges can get a sense of your values. If the person you most admire is Justin Bieber, for example, colleges might wonder about your priorities.

What they're looking for: Don't limit your answer just to naming the person. Why do you admire that person? For instance, many people say that the person they most admire is a parent. But what specifically has that parent done that you admire so much? In short, don't forget the details.

How to prepare: Think deeply about your response to this question. If the person you admire is somebody you know, practice by giving your answer to that person. You'll know you've answered the question well if you're rewarded with a hug or even a few tears from your audience.

Question 10: What Is Your Favorite Book?

Why they're asking this: This question is designed to help schools learn more about your interests. Colleges also probably want to make sure that you actually read books.

What they're looking for: Don't limit your answer to the name of a book; think about why you like the book so much. How did it inspire you? Did a particular character resonate with you? Did you learn something from this book that influenced your opinions or behavior? Did this book help shape your perspective or values?

How to prepare: Really think about books you've read that you connected with and why. I've also seen similar questions asking about a news article you recently read, so try to stay up to date with the news, too!

Question 11: Why Do You Want to Go to College?

Why they're asking this: For this question, schools are trying to understand why you're motivated to pursue higher education.

What they're looking for: Colleges want to see you have clear goals you're trying to accomplish by attending college. Obviously, they don't want to hear that you want to go to college because your parents are making you or so you can attend wild parties. In your answer, emphasize how college will allow you to pursue your passions, aid in your personal development, and enable you to fulfill your future goals. Be specific. What are your passions and goals? How will college give you an opportunity to pursue these passions? What college activities will increase your awareness and facilitate your intellectual and emotional growth?

How to prepare: For ideas, check out the pros in my article about if you should go to college .

Steven Depolo /Flickr

Question 12: What Do You Like to Do for Fun?

Why they're asking this: This question is designed to get a better sense of your general interests and overall personality.

What they're looking for: Your answer doesn't only have to include activities that are academic. After all, you probably wouldn't be believed if you said all you do for fun is read science textbooks and do math problems. If some of what you do for fun is intellectual, though, explain why you find these activities fun. Finally, try to avoid general answers such as "hang out with friends."

How to prepare: You shouldn't have to prepare much for this question since I assume you already know what you like to do for fun. However, spend some time thinking about why you enjoy these activities.

Question 13: What Is an Obstacle You've Faced and How Did You Get Through It?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to know if you've faced (and overcome) any significant challenges in your life. They also want to see that you're persistent and willing to work hard in order to overcome these obstacles.

What they're looking for: It's fine if you haven't had some awful, incredibly difficult obstacle in your life. Think of a time when you faced a problem that challenged you, and you put in a lot of effort to solve it. Your obstacle could be related to your home life, school, or an extracurricular activity. In your response, explain how the obstacle challenged you and emphasize what exactly you did to overcome it.

How to prepare: Think of a significant challenge you've had in your life and how you dealt with it. What did you learn from the problem? How did you solve it? Did it change or influence the way you address similar problems?

Question 14: What Makes You Unique?

Why they're asking this: This question is essentially what all the other questions above are meant to determine. It's another general question that's often difficult to answer. We are all unique, but it can be hard to put into words exactly what separates you from other people.

What they're looking for: Schools ask this question because they want to get to know you better. You can discuss a trait or multiple traits you possess. Give examples and stories that demonstrate these qualities. Do you have any uncommon interests or goals? Is your background very unique?

How to prepare: I recommend doing some serious brainstorming to address this question. Write out specific attributes and anecdotes you can share that demonstrate your uniqueness. When do you feel most comfortable? What makes you the proudest?

What makes you special?

How to Prepare for College Interview Questions

For each of these questions, I recommend jotting down some notes so that you can remember key points or details. Don't try to completely write out your answers and memorize them. The way you speak in an interview is supposed to appear conversational and not rehearsed. Also, if you try to memorize your answers and forget your script during the interview, you'll end up looking confused and unsure of yourself.

Practice your responses by having somebody ask you these questions and then answering them as if you were actually in the interview. Remember that you want to be as specific and detailed as possible. Learn to separate yourself from all the other applicants being interviewed.

For some of these questions, it'll be helpful to review your personal statement . Your personal statement likely has some details or stories you can incorporate into some of your answers.

How Do You Answer Questions You Didn't Prepare For?

Undoubtedly, the questions above aren't the only possible interview questions. R egardless of how much you prepare, you'll almost definitely be asked a question you weren't expecting. There's no need to be too nervous, though. Just try to give honest, detailed answers. As long as you're thoughtful and professional, you shouldn't worry too much about surprise questions.

Also, you might be able to incorporate some details from the other questions you prepared for in your responses. For example, for any question related to academics, you could probably include details from your response to the question, "What are your academic strengths?"

If you want to get more comfortable with the interview process, have a friend or parent ask you questions about yourself, and respond as if you were in the interview. This is an excellent way to prepare you for the real deal and will give you more confidence.

What's Next?

Still feeling nervous? Check out our guide to the best tools to help you prepare for your interview , so you can feel confident going in.

College interviews also give you the opportunity to ask questions. Make sure you ask the right questions during your interview .

If your goal is to get into one of the most selective colleges , check out our popular post on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League .

As you navigate the college selection process, it's important to know how to choose a college .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Justin has extensive experience teaching SAT prep and guiding high school students through the college admissions and selection process. He is firmly committed to improving equity in education and helping students to reach their educational goals. Justin received an athletic scholarship for gymnastics at Stanford University and graduated with a BA in American Studies.

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What’s Covered

What are your strengths and weaknesses, why this school.

It can be hard not knowing what to expect when going into your college interview . Don’t worry too much, however, as the person asking you all the questions will likely be an alum of the school.  This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the college while also sharing a bit about yourself. To help you prepare for the interview, this article goes over common questions and good practices for answering them.

Addressing Weaknesses

You need to be as genuine as possible here. Don’t use a cliché, such as saying that you’re a perfectionist. That’s not a weakness; it’s just a way to not be negative or point out an actual shortcoming. We all have weaknesses, and you don’t need to be shy about addressing yours.

Framing is important. Instead of merely stating where you come up short, talk about how you’re trying to combat your weakness. If you say that you can be emotionally insensitive, explain how you’re taking steps to address this.

Be truthful. Come at this question with a good amount of self-awareness. Interviewers will see that you’ve spent time taking stock of what you’re good at and what you’re bad at, which will show that you’re an emotionally mature person. If you talk about how you’re working to improve yourself, they’ll respect this. Demonstrate that you want to better yourself and that you know exactly what areas to focus on first.

Naming Strengths

There are so many things you can list as your strongest quality, and whatever you choose has many implications. More than learning how you view yourself, your interviewer wants to know how reflective and humble you are. 

Even though they’re asking you to brag about yourself, how you answer this question will say a great deal about how much empathy and humility you have. You want to be in touch with yourself and to come across as self-aware, emotionally mature, and forward-thinking. Try to reflect on yourself; introspection is incredibly valuable here. Don’t just give an answer that you think the interviewer is going to love—they’ll likely see right through it.

This is a common essay question and interviewers like to ask it too. Do your research beforehand so you can figure out exactly what you want to say. Think about what you like about this school, the major research positions that you want to get, the department that you’re applying for, and so on. 

The college and your interviewer will want to see that you’ve delved into all of this. They need to know that your priorities are in line with theirs and that you’ll fit in well with their particular campus environment. Fit is crucial here.

Show that you’re invested in the school and that you think that there’s a real connection between yourself and the place where you want to go. You probably have a list of specific reasons, so tap into that. Consider writing them out beforehand so you can have something to refer to as you prep for the interview. It will give you material to draw on when you’re facing these questions.

Good reasons for wanting to attend a particular university include that you know people who’ve gone there and that they all spoke highly of it. You can also name specific academic opportunities and how they fit in with your goals. If the school is strong in extracurricular activities, talk about how your past experiences make you want to pursue similar opportunities at this college. Show that you’ve thought about all of this, and your interviewer will be able to see your interest.

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Last updated March 21, 2024

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Blog > Application Strategy > 19 Questions to Ask A College Interviewer

19 Questions to Ask A College Interviewer

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

The college interview can be one of the roughest parts of the application process . Why? For many students, it's the only time when everything is on the line in a face-to-face context. It's far easier to micromanage the quality of your applications and essays from the removed tranquility of a computer in your room than it is to “prove yourself” face-to-face with another human being.

In every interview there comes a point—a particularly dreaded moment—when an interviewer will ask, “So, what questions do you have for me?”

It may occur at the beginning or the end of the interview. But wherever it lands, you need to be ready.

In many interviews, this question is the inflection point that determines whether your 15-minute timeslot evolves into a more organic conversation where you can actually form a bond with your interviewer, or not.

Ah, the organic conversation: the gold standard of any college interview.

So, anticipating that your interviewer will likely ask you the dreaded "Question question," I made an exhaustive list of some good questions you can ask them.

Remember, you might want to add a twist to some of these to personalize them. And given the context of your interview, some of them might be weird. For example, question 19, "What was the best job you had as a kid," might come across as odd if you've just spent the last fifteen minutes talking about reality TV.

Use context, yo.

Let's get into some QUESTIONS.

1. How would you describe the culture at ______? What type of people tend to really thrive here, and what type don't do so well?"

Ok, ok. "But that's two questions," you're probably saying. Yes, it is. These questions are so juicy that sometimes you get a 2-for-1 deal.

I like this question because it shows the interviewer that you aren't completely gung-ho about the school. Well, at least, you recognize that some types of people may not be as well-suited to the school and its culture.

I think that interviewers are, by and large, frustrated by the bootlickers who can't wait to bend over backward to prove their undying devotion to a school. In general, your best bet is to strike a careful balance between excitement (because of course you want to be admitted) and critical exploration.

You want to come away seeming like your own person who's capable of critical thought and judgment. In other words, the interview is a two-way street. You're trying to get information, too, to better inform your college choice. Asking this question (and others like it) will put you on an even footing with the interviewer--as a human being who's trying to improve the information that's informing their decision.

As to the question itself, hey, maybe the interviewer will say that "The only type of people who don't thrive here are book-bound neds," and that's exactly who you are. That's important information for you to have!

2. "What's something you would have done differently during your time at _______ if you could?"

Remember that an interviewer, as long as they're an alum, is a font of knowledge about the specific college experience offered at the school and (b) regret about how they could have better taken advantage of their time in school.

I like this question because it forces the interviewer to think--to really dig deep and consider their past at the school and the resources/opportunities passed by.

If I were asked this question, I would probably say something like: "Hmmm, good question. I would like to have taken more classes in the religion department, particularly with one specific professor (Stuart Smithers). Otherwise, the school had so many amazing outdoor clubs--there were mountaineering and kayaking clubs that I always wanted to try but never found the time."

Great! Now you have three other subjects that you can build on: religion, mountaineering, and kayaking. Go crazy. This is how that coveted organic conversation starts.

3. "What's something that no student should miss at ______?"

Kind of a different spin on question #2, this one is designed to get them excited about the "greatest hits" at the school. This question will help you get a clearer sense of what made them really excited about their experience. It's also a great way to steer the interview into conversation territory.

If they talk about how, "Oh my god, the student mimes were unmissable," well, now you've got a great opportunity to talk about mimes, circuses, and... France? with them.

The thing I keep reiterating: the "Question" question can be effectively used to get a better sense of what the interviewer cares about and to prolong the conversation and build a genuine connection with them.

4. "What's a department that you recommend I take a class in? Or is there a specific class?"

All alumni interviewers will have taken a broad range of classes from across departments. Usually, they'll remember one or two fondly--classes that shaped how they saw the world. First, this is amazing information to have if you do end up attending the school. Second, you can parlay their answer into a discussion about the class. Why was it so meaningful? What did they remember about it? Were there any readings in particular that you should check out?

Ask these questions! They're smart ones that will make you seem bright and curious. Bonus points if you actually are.

5. “ What's your opinion about the strength of the alumni network?”

Given that you're speaking with an alumni interviewer, the chances are high that they'll have a glowing opinion about the alumni network. But it's good to ask anyway.

A school's alumni network can be one of its biggest assets. If your interviewer is a straight-shooter, they'll tell you the truth. Maybe the alumni network is the reason they got their first job, started their career, etc.

Or maybe it's pretty lackluster, inaccessible, or disorganized. Either way, it's a point to discuss and an important piece of data that should inform your school decision-making process.

6. “ Do you feel like you had the time/freedom to explore classes outside of your major?"

This question will give you a flavor of the academic style of the school--whether the intensity of the academic culture and the demands of majors provide opportunities for flexibility.

At my alma mater, cross-curricular exploration was practically required (well, actually, it literally was because of breadth requirements). I was able to take classes from a pretty wide range of majors until my senior year.

But at some schools, this really isn't the case, and a lot of folks I know from more elite schools bemoan this. It's a good question to ask an interviewer because it makes them think and form a view again. It's not a shallow question about some arcane program or major that they (a) probably don't know the answer to and (b) don't really care about answering.

Remember: the most interesting questions for an interviewer are the ones that tie back to their time at the school... Or, perhaps, that takes the conversation utterly out of the school discussion arena and go into a current event or some topic of interest. But I'll leave those to you.

7. "Were the professors accessible?”

This one isn't my favorite question on the list, because it lends itself to a yes/no answer, which is not great for running the clock or building that organic bridge. But all the same, it's an important piece of information to have. And if your interviewer has strong positive or negative memories about their professors, this question will bring that out.

8. "Would you advise your son/daughter/niece/nephew to go here, if they had the opportunity?”

Now this question might yield a "Yes" 100% of the time. What I like about it, though, is that it portrays the interviewee as someone who is genuinely interested in making sure that the school is right for them. When you ask this question, you look like an informed consumer--someone who wants to peer through the formal veil of the interview setting to get at the truth. And that's a good look. Also, what if they say "No"? That would be interesting.

9. " What was the biggest way you grew as a thinker on campus?”

This is a great one -- it gets at intellectual vitality in a really specific way that will, in all likelihood, require them to think deeply, perhaps even talk about their intellectual trajectory during their time on campus.

If I were answering this question, I would probably say something like this:

"I came in pretty clueless about what I wanted to study and why. I remember taking a few political science classes--particularly one in US Public Policy--that showed me how complex, messy, and fascinating the process of political development is. That class (and a couple others) taught me to look at the world around us as an intersection of individual wills, political institutions, ingrained psychological biases, and power structures. And then my political theory courses deepened that framework and helped me understand the importance of using "power" as an analytical framework for the world."

In other words, I would have a pretty interesting and specific answer. It would be a great opportunity for you to ask a follow-up question ("What the hell do you mean by 'power as an analytical framework'?) or for us to talk more about mental models, etc.

10. "How did you spend the summer after high school?”

OK, a bit of a pivot here. I think this one is good because the summer after high school is usually a pivotal (and somewhat unique) time. It may be the only summer on record where you (or the interviewer) didn't work a job, do an internship, participate in a sport, etc. So you might tap into a good well of positive memory about a carefree transition year. And psychologically, asking the interviewer to remember their own youth will help them identify with you. Which is a good thing.

11. “ What are the best campus traditions?”

Again, this question is designed to get your interviewer reflecting on the good times -- the fun experiences you can't afford to miss at the school. I think it will also psychologically help them "see" you at the school, participating in the traditions.

Finally, it conveys a strong vibe that you really care about the "family" cultivated at a school - that you want to join the community that the interviewer presumably sees themselves as a member of.

12. “What's a stereotype about the school you had that turned out to be false?”

Every school has their nasty stereotypes, and interviewers will probably be aware of them. But note, the question isn't just asking about any old stereotype--it's asking about one that THEY had.

This question makes the list because, again, it brings the interviewer on a trip down memory lane. This question gets them reflecting on their own first steps onto campus. It brings to mind the impressions they had and their process for learning which were valid and which were ungrounded.

It also might be a good segue for you to talk about the rumblings you've heard about the school -- for better or worse.

Although, here, you should tread carefully. It can be easy, when sharing school gossip, to go too far and accidentally come across as disparaging or critical of the school. Not what you want.

13. “Where are you from?”

Take a left turn at "College Discussion" and head right for home! Get to know the interviewer a bit. Ask them about what it was like to grow up there. Do they still have family in the area? People LOVE to answer questions about themselves, their background, their family, their origins. Come across well by being genuinely curious about your interviewer's background. Who knows, you might discover a surprising connection that you can talk about for 15 minutes.

14. “What did you want to become after you graduated from college?”

You know how lots of people have a secret dream about what cool career they want after they graduate? Well, your interviewer is no exception.

If you asked me this question I would tell you about how I wanted to be a presidential speechwriter. But I would probably also tell you the story about how my interests shifted over time.

Am I exactly where I planned I would be, today? Nope! Life is messy and non-linear. We'd talk about messiness. You'd talk about how crazy school and life is on your end. We'd bond.

The interview would be going very well.

15. “What advice would you have given yourself as a 17/18 year old?”

There's another, much more boring way of asking this question, and it goes like this: "What advice would you give me?" That's the kind of question that leads an interviewer to spit out something dry and generic: "Just remember to be balanced throughout your senior year. Have fun with your friends!"

But when the question is framed as advice they would give to THEMSELVES, suddenly the stakes increase a lot. The question turns personal. As I write, I'm trying to think of an answer for myself. It's a hard one.

But getting me/your interviewer to think is the goal. This question challenges them to consider their life history and who they were as a young person. Again, identification with you = good outcome.

16. “What was the best job you had as a kid?”

This last one is another way to reduce the distance between you (a lowly high school student, not even a legal adult) and an interviewer who is likely a seasoned professional.

It brings them back to their youth, or to their first job in college, or maybe, hey, to their current job.

But ideally, it causes them to think back on some distant experience and reflect fondly on it. If you asked me, I'd tell you about the gig I had for a couple of years working in a huge independent bookstore.

Dozens of famous authors came through during my tenure, and I got to meet Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Franzen, Elizabeth Warren, Junot Diaz, Chris Hadfield, and countless other cool people. It was great.

OK, by way of conclusion, I want to make some observations about the common characteristics of these questions.

Most or all of them do one thing: they break down the artificial barriers imposed by the formal occasion of an interview. Instead, they get an interviewer to think about their most important memories and their experiences.

In the process, they collapse the distance between interviewer and interviewee. You both become human beings navigating a shared experience--of being young, of making the college choice, and (hopefully) of attending the same storied institution.

But these questions are really only as good as you make them. A single one of them can carry a 30-minute chat if you're good at playing conversational ping pong. Hey, you can even chain together a few of them to get things rolling.

Try to memorize two or three of the ones you found most interesting here. Don't be afraid to bust them out when the time comes.

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“College Essay Guy” Podcast Interview with Compass Co-Founder

The College Essay Guy , aka Ethan Sawyer, runs a platform (blog, podcast, website) providing college admission related guidance to tens of thousands of followers. He recently interviewed me for his podcast. We had a frank discussion covering a lot of ground, including timely takes on the ins and outs of college admission tests in 2018. I had fun discussing these topics in a less formal venue than my typical scenario of presenting to audiences at schools, allowing me to offer some more personal takes on some of the issues. Please check it out and share with anyone that might find it useful! And whether you’re in the college admission process as a parent or as a professional, I highly recommend subscribing to Ethan’s newsletter and checking out all the other great content on his site.

About Adam Ingersoll

Adam began his career in test prep in 1993 while at the University of Southern California, where he was a student-athlete on the basketball team, worked in the admission office, and graduated magna cum laude . Over the last three decades he has guided thousands of families to successful experiences with standardized tests and has mentored hundreds of the industry's most sought-after tutors. Adam is known nationally as a leading expert on college admission testing and is a frequent presenter at higher ed conferences, faculty development workshops, and school seminars.

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I've been a tech recruiter for 19 years for giants like Google. These are the 4 questions you should ask at the end of an interview.

• Dhritiparna Dhar, an HR expert, shares the top questions she values during job interviews.
• She values questions about team dynamics, work setup, and role growth.
• Inquiries about the company's challenges also show a candidate's curiosity and initiative.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dhritiparna Dhar , a human resources expert based in Bengaluru, India. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified her employment history.

I've worked in talent acquisition for close to 19 years. More specifically, I specialize in tech recruiting and have worked for Yahoo, Google, Dell, and Zendrive before I started my own recruiting agency last year.

When it comes to interviews, there are a number of things I prefer candidates don't ask until they are offered a role, like bringing up compensation and benefits or feedback about technical interviewing rounds. But there are things interviewers love to hear when we open up for questions.

Related stories

Here are four questions I would ask at the end of my interviews.

1. "Can you tell me about my future team?"

One question that is really important to me is when a candidate inquires about their future colleagues. Right now, we are in an increasingly social world and all candidates have access to platforms that can help them do their homework on the company. It is always nice to hear people ask questions about which team they'll join and how many peers they will have. If they are interviewing to be a manager, it is good practice to ask if they are the only manager, how many team members will fall under them, and what their career backgrounds are.

2. "Is the opportunity remote or hybrid?"

I always like hearing a candidate ask whether their role is in person, hybrid, or remote, followed by what culture looks like in each scenario. I love people who prioritize collaboration because it is very difficult to thrive in most companies only as a strong individual contributor.

In the last four years, I have found that companies are also more understanding toward working remotely, given that many people have relocated since the pandemic. Such questions are now welcome and it is good to be transparent, and there are ways of showing interest in collaboration regardless of the answer.

3. "What is the growth story of this particular role?"

Asking this question helps candidates come across as very aspirational because they are already looking into how and when they can grow in that particular role. It gives the interviewer a good perspective to understand the candidate's mindset and what their goals are as an individual: are they looking to mentor a team, climb the career ladder, work on challenging projects? It also gives the hiring manager an opportunity to clearly explain how they nurture and grow talent.

4. "What are the biggest challenges the team, department, or company faces now?"

This is a good question because it shows the hiring manager that the candidate is curious and wants to know more about the organizational or departmental challenges they would be getting into. This information is rarely part of the job description or company website, and it is always fair to ask for more clarity. For startups, this could be funding-related challenges; for tech companies, it could be shifting to new software.

Are you a hiring manager with tips to share? Email this reporter: [email protected]

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