THE BOTTOM LINE
Very few colleges require interviews; some colleges recommend them. Still others offer them only to legacies. (In case you don’t know, a legacy is the son or daughter of a graduate of a college.) Many colleges, especially the large, public universities and a few of the private ones such as Stanford University, don’t offer interviews at all. The truth is that it is very difficult to “blow” an interview. Students have only to gain from doing them; if nothing else, to get information about the college and also develop an admissions contact.

THE POINT OF AN INTERVIEW FOR YOU
A strong interview can create a friend and advocate for you in the final selection process. At the very least, you will become a real person to one individual in the admissions office.

THE POINT OF AN INTERVIEW FOR THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
Many admissions people say that interviews are a good way to get to know students, as well as answer student questions. In general, the interview is a mechanism for admissions people to find out how interested a student is in their university, what makes an applicant a good match with their school, and the extent to which a student understands what their college is all about.

For college admissions people, an interview with a prospective student is an opportunity to check out an applicant’s:

• Academic background

• Extracurricular activities

• Personal style

• Potential for contributing to the university

• Strengths and weaknesses

• Ability to deal with life challenges

More than anything, though, admissions people want to find out what is special and unique about an applicant. The Ivies and other very competitive colleges also say that they look for students with intellectual curiosity and evidence of academic prowess.