Most college interviews are alumni interviews — informal 30-60 minute conversations with a school graduate. Most are not graded heavily; admissions reads them as 'soft input,' not as a major factor. But a bad interview can hurt borderline applications. Here's how to prepare without overpreparing.
What college interviews actually are
- Most are alumni interviews: a graduate of the school meets with you for 30-60 minutes (in person, by Zoom, or rarely by phone).
- Some are admissions-officer interviews (Yale, Princeton, MIT, occasionally others): a current admissions officer interviews you. These are higher-stakes than alumni interviews.
- Some are evaluative (graded): the alumnus sends a rating to admissions.
- Some are informational: just a conversation; no grading.
- Most schools' interviews are NOT required and DO NOT determine admission. Their purpose is informational and to give a chance for personal connection.
How alumni interviews actually weigh
Alumni interviews typically count as one data point in a holistic file. A strong interview reinforces a strong application; a weak interview can hurt a borderline application. They almost never overcome a weak underlying application or sink a strong one — but at the margins, they matter.
Common interview questions
- Why are you interested in [School]?
- What's your intended major and why?
- Tell me about an extracurricular activity that's important to you.
- Tell me about a challenge you've faced and how you handled it.
- What are you reading right now? What did you think of it?
- Tell me about a teacher who's been important to you.
- What do you do in your free time?
- Where else are you applying?
- Do you have any questions for me about [School]?
How to prepare
Know your application
Re-read your Common App, your activities list, and your essays. The interviewer will reference these. Don't be caught off-guard by a question about an activity you forgot to think about.
Have 3-5 specific stories ready
Specific moments, specific accomplishments, specific challenges. Stories beat generalities; specifics beat 'I'm passionate about X.' Practice telling them so they're concise (90 seconds each) and clear.
Research the school
Know specific things about the school: classes you'd take, professors you'd want to study with, programs that interest you, traditions or aspects of the culture. The 'why this school' answer should be substantive, not generic.
Prepare 2-3 questions for the interviewer
Good questions: 'What surprised you most about your time at [School]?' 'What kind of student is happiest here? What kind shouldn't come?' 'What's the worst thing about the school?' Genuine curiosity is the right tone.
What to bring to the interview
- A printed (or digital) resume if you have one.
- Notes on questions you want to ask.
- A pen and notebook for any post-conversation reflections.
- Yourself, dressed business-casual (no need for a full suit; clean and presentable).
Common mistakes
- Over-rehearsed answers that sound canned. Have your stories ready, but don't memorize speeches.
- Asking 'what's the social scene like?' (generic). Better: 'What kind of student thrives here socially? What kind doesn't?'
- Not having a question to ask the interviewer. Comes across as uninterested.
- Treating the interview as a one-way evaluation. It's also your chance to evaluate the school — ask substantive questions.
- Being late, distracted by phone, or unprepared. These read as 'doesn't care.'
- Spending too much time on a single answer. Most answers should be 90 seconds; if you go over 3 minutes, the interviewer's attention wanes.
What to do during the interview
- Listen actively. Don't be the person who's just waiting for their turn to talk.
- Be genuinely curious about the interviewer. They were a student at the school; they have insights.
- Be honest about uncertainty (intended major, career goals). 'I'm interested in CS but exploring' is a reasonable answer; 'I've known I want to be a doctor since I was 4' is not necessarily.
- Show enthusiasm without being performative. Genuine interest beats fake polish.
- Take notes if helpful (with permission). Helps you remember and signals engagement.
After the interview
Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Brief is fine — 3-4 sentences. Mention something specific from the conversation. This is small but reads as polite and engaged.
If you don't get an interview
Many schools have limited alumni interviewer availability. Not getting an interview is not a negative signal — it usually means the school's alumni network in your area is limited. The application is reviewed without it.