Complete Guide to US College Interviews

For international students, getting into a good American college with significant financial aid is challenging. Every part of the application should be clear and compelling. When a college offers or recommends an interview, it can help applicants add a personal voice to their application and learn more about the college.

Let’s learn more about college interviews now. Some colleges require or recommend interviews, some offer optional interviews, and others do not offer interviews for general admission. Applicants should always confirm the policy on the college’s official admissions website and in the applicant portal.

To find out whether Colleges will consider College Interviews in their application process:

1. Go to College Board BigFuture College Search.
2. Search for the college by name.
3. Open the college profile and click the “Admissions” tab.
4. Review the application requirements, deadlines, and application process information.
5. Because dates, policies, and programs can change, also click through to the college’s official admissions website and search for terms such as “interview,” “alumni interview,” “optional interview,” “InitialView,” “Vericant,” or “virtual interview.”
6. If the college says an interview is required, recommended, optional, or considered, follow its instructions. If interviews are unavailable or waived, applicants should not assume their application will be hurt; many colleges state that an application can still be complete without an interview.

Why is College Interviews Important?

1. College interviews can help applicants show thoughtful interest in a college when that college tracks demonstrated interest. Not every college does, and many colleges place little or no weight on interviews, so applicants should check each college’s policy.
2. They can be useful for international students because some colleges use interviews or interview supplements as an additional way to understand communication skills and readiness for an English-language classroom. However, interview supplements usually do not replace official English proficiency requirements unless the college specifically says so.
3. They are also a good opportunity to ask questions to an alumnus, alumna, current student, or college representative.

Applicants should not assume that prestigious universities always place less weight on interviews or that smaller colleges always place more weight on them. At some highly selective universities, interviews are optional, availability-based, or not required, and the absence of an interview may not hurt the application. At other colleges, especially those that track demonstrated interest, an interview can help. Applicants should review each college’s policy before requesting or accepting an interview.

Types of College Interviews

Campus Interview

A campus interview, when offered, is an interview conducted on or near the college campus, usually with an admissions representative or trained interviewer. This can be helpful for students who are already planning to visit the campus, but applicants should not spend significant money only for an interview unless the college clearly says it is required or strongly recommended.

Alumni Interview

Many selective colleges use alumni volunteers to interview applicants. In many cases, the college assigns interviews after the application is submitted, based on alumni availability in the applicant’s area. Some colleges allow applicants to indicate interest in an interview, while others do not allow interview requests. If an alumni interview is offered, it may take place in person, by phone, or through a virtual meeting platform.

Phone Interview

Some colleges offer phone interviews with an admissions representative or alumni interviewer. If a video interview is not possible, applicants can ask politely whether a phone interview is allowed.

Interview information is usually posted on each college’s admissions website or applicant portal. If an interview is offered or recommended, it is usually a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity, but applicants should always follow the college’s instructions and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions in College Interviews

1. Why this College?  

This is one of the most common college interview questions. To answer it well, applicants should do thorough research on the college. Useful sources include the college’s official website, admissions blog, academic department pages, course catalog, and student life pages. Applicants should prepare one or more specific reasons why the college appeals to them. To find specific places to research colleges, please read this article.

2. How Did You Find Out About this College? 

Applicants should answer truthfully and prepare their response beforehand. If they found out about the college from an advertisement sent to their home, they can say so. If they heard about it from a friend, teacher, counselor, or online search, they can say so. It is always best to tell the truth.

3. What Subjects Most Interested You in High School?  

Applicants should think about the subjects that interest them and the reasons behind their interest. For example, a student might choose chemistry because it helps explain invisible processes that have a real effect on everyday life, such as reactions, energy, medicine, and materials. Applicants can mention a class experiment, a teacher, a book, a research topic, or a question that made them want to learn more. The goal is not to sound like an expert; it is to show curiosity and explain how the applicant thinks.

4. What Activities Did You Do Outside of School? Did You Work? 

This is another common type of question. Applicants should think of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, hobbies, volunteering, clubs, family responsibilities, or work, and explain the impact that each activity had on them. A strong answer should connect the activity to a lesson, skill, or personal quality. For example, sports may show teamwork and perseverance, while tutoring may show patience, communication, and the ability to understand other people’s perspectives.

5. How Would You Contribute to the College?

To answer this question well, applicants should understand what makes them unique and how those qualities could benefit the campus community. A strong answer may focus on cultural background, academic interests, leadership, community service, creativity, work experience, or personal values. Applicants should explain how they would contribute to classrooms, clubs, residence halls, student organizations, or the broader campus community.

6. Any Other Information You Want to Share With Us?

Some interviewers ask this question after they have asked all other questions. Applicants should prepare additional information that could strengthen their application, such as family responsibilities, financial circumstances, work schedules, personal challenges, or important experiences that may not be clear in the written application. The best answers are honest, relevant, and connected to the applicant’s growth, character, or readiness for college.

Applicants should think of anything that will strengthen the application that admissions officers may not know from reading the written materials. Preparing answers beforehand can help applicants answer this type of question with confidence.

Scheduling College Interviews

It is a good idea to check interview policies early in the application season, but the timing depends on the college. Some colleges assign interviews after the application is submitted, based on interviewer availability. Some interviews happen during the early application cycle, while others happen after regular decision applications are submitted. If a college contacts an applicant about an interview, the applicant should respond promptly and politely. If no interview is offered, applicants should not panic; many colleges state that applications can still receive a full review without one.

College Interviews Tips

1. Prepare answers for common college interview questions.
2. Research the college carefully before the interview.
3. Smile, be friendly, and be respectful to the interviewer.
4. Speak clearly and at a natural pace so your thoughts are easy to understand.
5. After the interview, ask thoughtful questions that show you have already researched the college.
6. If appropriate and the interviewer provides contact information, send a brief thank-you email after the interview.

This article on the Complete Guide to College Interviews can help international students prepare for the interview process. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.