Relax, It’s Just the College Interview

U.S. News & World Report sent this email to their subscribers on September 23, 2024.

By Olivier Knox

✉️ Email

It’s Sept. 23, 2024.

Relax, It’s Just the College Interview

Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Getty Images

Tomorrow’s a big day for students, parents and institutions of higher learning across the country: U.S. News & World Report is publishing our highly anticipated annual rankings of the Best Colleges and Universities in America.

Applicants will find a treasure trove of data to help guide them on what is one of the most important decisions they’ll make. And yes, that’ll include a look at tuition through the years, most/least expensive schools, women’s colleges and much, much more, beginning at midnight.

In keeping with the college theme, this is the fourth and most likely final entry in my admissions advice column. We’ve already talked about:

How to build your list of schools and start the admissions process.
How to make a campus tour work for you.
How to write the application essay.

Today, we’re going to talk about how to turn a college interview from a stressful conversation into an asset for you. Our Education team has your preparation covered here and the what-to-wear question covered here.

But as someone who did admissions interviews for three decades, I have some thoughts.

Before the Interview

You, the student, need to remember the interview is not about things like bragging about your weighted GPA. It’s about convincing a total stranger that you’d be a good addition to the campus community – as a roommate, a classmate or someone you just bump into occasionally.

The first thing to understand is that the interviewer (it will most likely be an alum) has volunteered to do this. If they’re anything like me, the school holds an important enough place in their heart that they want to spend time and energy talking to applicants then writing a report for the admissions office.

So you’re going to want to come across as enthusiastic about their alma mater.

Step 1: Google them. Who are they? When did they graduate from the school? What field are they in? Is it something you might consider as a career?

Step 2: A couple of days before the interview, send them your resume. Take what you used for the common application. Strip out all of the GPA and test scores. Replace them with an engaging description of yourself.

How about “Ice hockey superfan. American history nut. Soup kitchen stocker. Chocolate milk expert”?

Typically, your interviewer isn’t going to know much about you. They’ll have your name, your high school’s name, maybe what you said you might major in. Sending them your resume will help shape the conversation – they will probably have a few questions they know they want to ask, but maybe they’ll start with, “What makes you a chocolate milk ‘expert’?”

That’ll give you the opportunity to charm them a little and put yourself at ease.

Before the Interview, Part II

Don’t over-rehearse, but definitely prepare for these:

Tell me about yourself. (Think about what to play up. Hobbies? Interests? “I’m one of eight siblings”? Please don’t say “I’m a perfectionist.”)
Why do you want to attend [This School That I Still Love]? (Show enthusiasm and familiarity! If you visited the school, make sure to mention that. If there’s a particular field of study that interests you, talk about that. Please don’t say “It’s 12th on the U.S. News rankings.”)
A note about familiarity: If the school has an academic quirk, be knowledgeable about it. My undergraduate institution had a well-known Core Curriculum that took up most of students’ first two years. Not knowing anything about it when I asked was disqualifying.
What’s your favorite class this year? (This can also be “What are your academic strengths/weaknesses?”) Have an answer backed up by reasons.
Is there something you are particularly looking forward to in college? Is there something you are dreading?
What do you do for fun?

And finally:

A common last question is: “Do you have any questions for me?” You should definitely have at least one. The obvious answer is a variation on “are there skills or habits that you developed at [School] that you use today?” But this is also where having Googled them will be to your advantage. “I saw that you used to work in Singapore. What was that like?”

During the Interview

Make eye contact. Be polite. Don’t mumble. If it’s in person, feel free to bring a copy of your resume (but only pull it out if asked to do so.) Parents are not allowed to sit in. It’s just you and the interviewer.

After the Interview

For the love of all that’s holy, send a “thank you” message, Young People. It doesn’t have to be long, just a couple of sentences thanking your interviewer for their time, telling them you liked hearing that [School] gave them skills they still use today, reminding them that you really want to attend [School].

Good luck!

Number of the Day

600,000

The number of daily visitors expected at the 189th Oktoberfest in Munich, which runs through Oct. 6. (I went in 1994, and the oddest thing about it was the amusement park rides. Drink a huge beer. Eat a greasy bratwurst. Ride the rollercoaster? No thanks!)

What the Fed Rate Cut Means for Credit Cards

For the first time since March 2020, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates.

The federal funds rate is now 4.75% to 5% after being at a 23-year high of 5.25% to 5.5% since July 2023.

This is all well and good, but what does it mean for you and your credit card debt?

Read on to find out.

– Adriana Ocañas

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In Other News

The Biden administration on Monday proposed banning Chinese and Russian components inside of connected vehicles on U.S. roads, reports The Wall Street Journal's Alexander Ward. The administration "fears Beijing and Moscow could collect data on American infrastructure and drivers—as well as hack communications needed to keep connected vehicles operational," Ward writes.
Prosecutors said Monday that Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course, left a cache of notes and letters at an unidentified person's home months ago, including a note detailing his plans to kill the former president, report Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer and Stephany Matat in the Associated Press. “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you," one note begins.
Murder declined 11.6% in 2023, the largest one-year decline ever recorded, according to researcher Jeff Asher, using data from the FBI's annual Crime in the United States report. There were over 2,500 fewer murders in 2023 than in 2022, which is “also the largest decline ever recorded," writes Asher.

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Thanks for reading,

Olivier

@oknox

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The U.S. News Decision Points Team

Olivier Knox, Senior National Political Correspondent

Gary Emerling, Managing Editor, News

Seth Cline, Deputy Platforms Editor

Cara Marino, Platforms Manager

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Make eye contact. Be polite. Don’t mumble. Sign up for this newsletter Read online | USNEWE | Decision Points By Olivier Knox ✉️ Email It’s Sept. 23, 2024. Relax, It’s Just the College Interview A high school senior shakes hands at the conclusion of an interview with a university admissions counselor in Chicago. Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Getty Images Tomorrow’s a big day for students, parents and institutions of higher learning across the country: U.S. News & World Report is publishing our highly anticipated annual rankings of the Best Colleges and Universities in America. Applicants will find a treasure trove of data to help guide them on what is one of the most important decisions they’ll make. And yes, that’ll include a look at tuition through the years, most/least expensive schools, women’s colleges and much, much more, beginning at midnight. In keeping with the college theme, this is the fourth and most likely final entry in my admissions advice column. We’ve already talked about: * How to build your list of schools and start the admissions process. * How to make a campus tour work for you. * How to write the application essay. Today, we’re going to talk about how to turn a college interview from a stressful conversation into an asset for you. Our Education team has your preparation covered here and the what-to-wear question covered here. But as someone who did admissions interviews for three decades, I have some thoughts. Before the Interview You, the student, need to remember the interview is not about things like bragging about your weighted GPA. It’s about convincing a total stranger that you’d be a good addition to the campus community – as a roommate, a classmate or someone you just bump into occasionally. The first thing to understand is that the interviewer (it will most likely be an alum) has volunteered to do this. If they’re anything like me, the school holds an important enough place in their heart that they want to spend time and energy talking to applicants then writing a report for the admissions office. * So you’re going to want to come across as enthusiastic about their alma mater. Step 1: Google them. Who are they? When did they graduate from the school? What field are they in? Is it something you might consider as a career? Step 2: A couple of days before the interview, send them your resume. Take what you used for the common application. Strip out all of the GPA and test scores. Replace them with an engaging description of yourself. * How about “Ice hockey superfan. American history nut. Soup kitchen stocker. Chocolate milk expert”? Typically, your interviewer isn’t going to know much about you. They’ll have your name, your high school’s name, maybe what you said you might major in. Sending them your resume will help shape the conversation – they will probably have a few questions they know they want to ask, but maybe they’ll start with, “What makes you a chocolate milk ‘expert’?” That’ll give you the opportunity to charm them a little and put yourself at ease. Before the Interview, Part II Don’t over-rehearse, but definitely prepare for these: * Tell me about yourself. (Think about what to play up. Hobbies? Interests? “I’m one of eight siblings”? Please don’t say “I’m a perfectionist.”) * Why do you want to attend [This School That I Still Love]? (Show enthusiasm and familiarity! If you visited the school, make sure to mention that. If there’s a particular field of study that interests you, talk about that. Please don’t say “It’s 12th on the U.S. News rankings.”) * A note about familiarity: If the school has an academic quirk, be knowledgeable about it. My undergraduate institution had a well-known Core Curriculum that took up most of students’ first two years. Not knowing anything about it when I asked was disqualifying. * What’s your favorite class this year? (This can also be “What are your academic strengths/weaknesses?”) Have an answer backed up by reasons. * Is there something you are particularly looking forward to in college? Is there something you are dreading? * What do you do for fun? And finally: * A common last question is: “Do you have any questions for me?” You should definitely have at least one. The obvious answer is a variation on “are there skills or habits that you developed at [School] that you use today?” But this is also where having Googled them will be to your advantage. “I saw that you used to work in Singapore. What was that like?” During the Interview Make eye contact. Be polite. Don’t mumble. If it’s in person, feel free to bring a copy of your resume (but only pull it out if asked to do so.) Parents are not allowed to sit in. It’s just you and the interviewer. After the Interview For the love of all that’s holy, send a “thank you” message, Young People. It doesn’t have to be long, just a couple of sentences thanking your interviewer for their time, telling them you liked hearing that [School] gave them skills they still use today, reminding them that you really want to attend [School]. Good luck! Number of the Day 600,000 The number of daily visitors expected at the 189th Oktoberfest in Munich, which runs through Oct. 6. (I went in 1994, and the oddest thing about it was the amusement park rides. Drink a huge beer. Eat a greasy bratwurst. Ride the rollercoaster? No thanks!) What the Fed Rate Cut Means for Credit Cards For the first time since March 2020, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. The federal funds rate is now 4.75% to 5% after being at a 23-year high of 5.25% to 5.5% since July 2023. This is all well and good, but what does it mean for you and your credit card debt? Read on to find out. – Adriana Ocañas Today's Must-Read The Clashes Between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Explained The past week saw an increase in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, raising concerns about a full-scale war between the two. Read More Today's Best Find THE BEST AIRLINE-APPROVED PET CARRIERS Find the purr-fect bag for your furry travel companion, plus tips for traveling with a pet -- including new requirements for dogs that fly into the U.S. In Other News * The Biden administration on Monday proposed banning Chinese and Russian components inside of connected vehicles on U.S. roads, reports The Wall Street Journal's Alexander Ward. The administration "fears Beijing and Moscow could collect data on American infrastructure and drivers—as well as hack communications needed to keep connected vehicles operational," Ward writes. * Prosecutors said Monday that Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course, left a cache of notes and letters at an unidentified person's home months ago, including a note detailing his plans to kill the former president, report Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer and Stephany Matat in the Associated Press. “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you," one note begins. * Murder declined 11.6% in 2023, the largest one-year decline ever recorded, according to researcher Jeff Asher, using data from the FBI's annual Crime in the United States report. There were over 2,500 fewer murders in 2023 than in 2022, which is “also the largest decline ever recorded," writes Asher. More From U.S. News & World Report The Best Hybrid Cars for the Money While there are plenty of good hybrids on the market, they're not all created equal from a value standpoint. Read More Thanks for reading, Olivier @oknox Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get U.S. News Decision Points directly in your inbox. The U.S. News Decision Points Team Olivier Knox, Senior National Political Correspondent Gary Emerling, Managing Editor, News Seth Cline, Deputy Platforms Editor Cara Marino, Platforms Manager TikTokInstagramFacebookLinkedInTwitter U.S. News & World Report 2 WORLD REPORT ="\ | | - Explore U.S. News News | Ideas & Opinions | Education | Health | Careers | Personal Finance | Travel | Autos Insurance | Law Firms | Real Estate | 360 Product Reviews | Deals - © U.S. News & World Report, L.P. All rights reserved. 1255 23rd St. NW, Washington DC 20037 USA Trouble viewing this? .

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