More Than a Test Score

Many students wonder whether it's important to have questions to ask the interviewer at the end of a college interview. It's not necessary but it can often be a very good idea.

When students ask questions at the end of an interview is shows a couple things. First, it makes the student seem interested in the school – or at least, interested enough to ask questions to satisfy a curiosity. This is always a good thing. That said, asking generic questions will not necessarily make you seem interested in the school, nor will that alone help your chances for getting in. Second, it makes the student seem like an active listener. When I would conduct interviews and, at the end when I ask if there are any questions, if a student said yes, and proceeded to inquire about something we'd already discussed, I was often impressed. Consider asking questions about comments the interviewer may have made during the conversation. If you said you're interested in majoring in history, and he or she mentioned the strength of the history department or that he or she was a history major also, ask if there are any recommended classes or professors. Ask the interviewer, if he or she was an alum, what his or her favorite class, event, experience, memory, social activity was. Consider modeling some of your questions after the questions that were asked of you. It will show that you were paying attention and not just regurgitating answers about yourself.

But if you have absolutely no questions, don't feel obligated to fill that time with awkward, uninteresting questions. Better to leave on a good note saying, "[having visited the school or talked to alums or whatever your form of research] I think I'm all set – thanks so much for taking the time to interview me" and call it a day.

I requested courses for next semester recently. I will probably have classes early in the morning every day except friday. Although it's a struggle to get up, and I don't enjoy it, I think it's a good idea to have classes in the morning and also to have classes every day. I have a friend who doesn't have classes on thursdays and he says he is hardly ever productive. Although it sounds nice to have time off, and it is, it's a lot easier to get things done when you have a limited time to do them. If you have a lot of will power and have a great work ethic, it might be nice to have time to sleep in and a whole day to get work done, but I consider myself to have a fairly good work ethic, and it still helps to have finite times to do homework and to be productive.

What to wear?!?

Some of you may have college interviews coming up. Some of these interviews may be held on campus. Many are likely to be alumni interviews held in your hometown. Regardless of whether the interview is on campus with an admissions officer or at a coffee shop in your neighborhood with an alum, dress nicely. This does not mean a suit and tie for boys or a dress for girls, but dress in such a way that you look like you want to be taken seriously.

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Fall sports are finishing…. leaves are turning…. the excitement of the beginning of the school year has faded…. homework, midterms, essays and labs are piling up…. college application deadlines are fast approaching and stress levels are likely to be high.

For those of you who applied early to a college this is an especially difficult time of year. You've sent your materials off to your favorite college and now the waiting game begins.

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College Week Live is a two-day (Nov. 12th – 13th) virtual college fair where you're able to chat with hundreds of colleges from the comfort of your couch! College Week Live also has various discussions (you'll be able to get any pending question answered) on financial aid, applying to college, standardized tests, and more. My favorite part of CWL is the student chats with current undergrads from more than 30 different colleges. It's really fun and definitely useful. Be sure to check it out — IT'S FREE.