When you’re applying to a college you’re interested in attending, you should ensure an interview with an admissions representative is part of your application to get in. Your interview can be important because it will be included for evaluation along with your application, test scores, grades, and any completed essays; your interview is your time to shine.

While there is no set way for you to prepare for your interview, there are certainly steps you can take to make sure you’re at your best. See below for some tips on how to prepare for a college interview.

Be Yourself

When you’re interviewing at a potential college, it’s important to relax and be yourself. The whole point of the interview is to gauge if the school is a good fit for you and if you’re a good fit for the school. If you aren’t true to yourself in the interview, it won’t serve its purpose. Just remember to answer questions truthfully and provide information about yourself that you think is relevant and shows who you are as a student candidate.

Think About Common Questions You May be Asked

While all interviews are different, many of the questions you’ll find are repeated between them. It’s best to prepare for some of these commonly asked questions beforehand so that you’re comfortable giving your answers. Here are some you may run across:

• What was your favorite high school subject and why?
• Why are you interested in this college?
• What do you feel your academic strengths are?
• What do you feel your academic weaknesses are?
• Why are you choosing this particular major?
• What are your interests/hobbies outside of school?
• What are your expectations 10 years from now?
• Who do you most admire and why?
• What makes you unique?
• What is your favorite book/movie?

Be Prepared with Questions for Your Interviewer

Yes, you are the one being interviewed; however, your interviewer will want to see that you’re taking an interest in their school and asking relevant questions. Prepare for this portion of the interview by researching the school so you can ask questions that you aren’t finding already readily answered. Be creative and thoughtful.

Be Current

There’s a very good chance that the interviewer may ask your opinion on some current news and events. In the time frame leading up to your interview, make sure you are up to date on what’s going on in the world so that you can contribute to the relevant discussion and give thoughtful opinions.

Practice

In the week leading up to your interview, take some time to practice. Grab a friend or family member and run through a question and answer session so that you can put some of your preparation into practice and get a little more comfortable with what you plan to say. Preparedness really is key here.

Type Up a Resume

No, you aren’t interviewing for a job, but you are interviewing for an important position of student at the college. It’s a good idea to type up a brief, but personable, resume that showcases some of your academic highlights and extracurricular activities and personal interests.

Be Professional

It’s important that you show you are taking the interview and the potential to be admitted to the college for which you’re interviewing seriously. Dress nicely, be polite, and bring your manners game.

Be Courteous and Thankful

Thank your interviewer at the end of your meeting and then later send a thank you note. Sending this note of appreciation afterward is thoughtful and will show your interviewer that you are taking the application to their college seriously. In your note, be personable and try to mention something you specifically discussed in the interview.